Borage (Borago officinalis) is native to the Mediterranean region but also grows well in other more temperate climates. Its leaves can be eaten as a salad vegetable or cooked, and the plant is also nowcultivated for the oil from its seeds.
There are a number of historical references to the medicinal uses of borage. The dried leaves can be used to prepare a herbal tea which is said to act as a sedative and a diuretic, and as a treatment for seizures and kidney disease.
The oil from the seeds is also used as a dietary supplement. Potential health benefits include the alleviation of inflammation, such as in rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. Borage oil contains high amounts of gamma linolenic acid which is important for a healthy skin and so borage oil has also been used to help promote wound healing and skin repair. It may also have potential benefits for the treatment of skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis.
It is advised that borage oil should not be ingested but rather applied topically diluted with a suitable carrier oil. High dosage should be avoided since serious side-effects have occasionally been reported.
