HERBAL MONOGRAPHS BORAGO OFFICINALIS / 115on top and whitish on the underside. The leaves are 3 to 10
cm long and elliptoid to ovate.
Characteristics: Borage has a taste similar to cucumber.
Habitat: Borage originated in the Mediterranean region, but
<qfe is now found all over Europe and the U.S.
Production: Borage oil is the fatty oil of the seeds of Borago
officinalis. Borage leaves are the dried leaves and inflores-
cence of Borago officinalis. The herb most often grows wild,
but is cultivated on a small scale in Yugoslavia, Rumania,
Bulgaria and Turkey. Borage is harvested during the
flowering period. Due to the plant's very high water content,
it should be artificially dried at 40°C.Not to be Confused With: The herb can be confused with
Echium vulgare.
Other Names: Burrage, Bugloss, Burage
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS: BORAGE OIL
Fatty oil: chief fatty acid is gamma-linolenic acid (17-25%),
linoleic acid
EFFECTS: BORAGE OIL
^ The drug acts as an astringent and as a sequestering agent.
COMPOUNDS: BORAGE LEAF
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids: supinin, lycopsamin, 7-acetyl-lycop-
samin, intermedin, 7-acetyl- intermedine, amabiline,
thesinine
Silicic acid (to some extent water-soluble)
Mucilages
Tannins
EFFECTS: BORAGE LEAF
The tannins in Borage leaves have an astringent effect and
the mucins a sequestering effect.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
BORAGE OIL
Unproven Uses: The oil is used for neurodermatitis and as a
food supplement.
BORAGE LEAF
Unproven Uses: In folk medicine, Borage is used as a
w sequestering and mucilaginous agent for coughs and throat
illnesses and as a bronchial treatment. It is also used as an
anti-inflammatory agent for kidney and bladder disorders, as
an astringent and to treat rheumatism. Preparations using
Borage are also used for blood purification and dehydration;
the prevention of chest and peritoneal inflammation and
rheumatism of the joints; as a pain-relieving, cardiotonic,
sedative, sudorific; as a performance-enhancing agent; and
for phlebitis and menopausal complaints.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
BORAGE OIL
No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction
with the proper administration of designated therapeutic
dosages.
BORAGE LEAF
Even though the hepatotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic pyrrol-
izidine alkaloid content is small, the drug should not be
administered. External use may present less of a potential for
problems.
DOSAGE
BORAGE OIL
Mode of Administration: In capsules, sometimes in combina-
tion with vitamins.How Supplied:
Capsules — 500mg, 1000 mgBORAGE LEAF
Storage: The drug should be protected from light and
moisture.
LITERATURE
BORAGE OIL
Fell KR, Peck JM, (1968) Planta Med 4: 411.
Hansel R. Keller K, Rimpler H. Schneider G (Hrsg.), Hagers
Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6
(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin. Heidelberg, New York, 1992-
1994.
Ippen H, Gamma-Linolensaure besser aus Nachtkerzen- oder aus
Borretschol? In: ZPT 16(3): 167-170. 1995.
Luthy J et al., (1984) Pharm Acta Helv 59 (9/10): 242.
BORAGE LEAF
Dodson CD, Stermitz FR, JNP 49(4):727-728. 1986.
Frohne D, Pfander HJ, Giftpflanzen - Ein Handbuch fur
Apotheker, Toxikologen und Biologen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlags-
Ges Stuttgart 1997.
Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Hrsg.), Hagers
Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6
(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-
1994.
Larson KM, Stermitz FR, JNP 47(4):747-748. 1984.
Roder E, Pyrrolizidinhaltige Arzneipflanzen. In: DAZ
132(45):2427-2435. 1992.
Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.Borago officinalis
See Borage