HerbilousOpen the interactive guideHERB PROFILE · EDUCATIONAL REFERENCE
Borage
Important safety information: Untested aerial herb may contain liver-toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Avoid internal use, pregnancy, breastfeeding, children, liver disease and combination with other PA-containing or hepatotoxic products. Do not use borage to stimulate milk production. Food garnish and borage seed oil are different preparations with different risks.
Herbal actions
- Demulcent
- Emollient
- Diuretic traditionally
- Expectorant traditionally
- Anti-inflammatory activity in extracts
Traditional and practitioner uses
These uses are presented for historical and educational context. They are not treatment claims.
- Traditional use for feverish and respiratory complaints
- Historical urinary and skin use
- Traditional external poultice for inflammation
- Seed oil research is not evidence for drinking the herb
Main constituents
Mucilage, tannins, saponins, rosmarinic acid, polyunsaturated fatty acids and low variable levels of unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids
Preparation overview
Tea: Not recommended for routine medicinal use. Fisher records older infusion and fluid-extract doses, but modern pyrrolizidine-alkaloid precautions make untested internal preparations unsuitable.
Liquid extract reference: Internal household use not recommended because PA content varies
Preparation strengths are not interchangeable. Open the interactive guide for the complete evidence notes and sources available for this herb.
Herbilous provides educational information only. It does not diagnose, prescribe, or replace professional medical advice. Seek urgent care for severe or worsening symptoms.