Borage (Borago officinalis)

The borage is an annual, herbaceous plant from the broadleaf family. It is originally native to the Mediterranean region.

While the bristly herb and the blue flowers used to be eaten, this is no longer recommended nowadays because of the pyrrolizidine alkaloids it contains. In the Middle Ages, borage was eaten because it was supposed to give courage and strength as well as good mood.

In modern medicine, the oil extracted from the borage seeds is used. It is free of alkaloids and rich in unsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic and linolenic acid. Due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-itching and immunomodulating effect, borage seed oil is used internally and externally for chronic inflammatory skin diseases and eczema, such as neurodermatitis.