Borage

Name:
Common Name: Borage, bugloss
Botanical Name: Burrage Borago officinalis L

Parts Used:Plant

Although this plant came from the Mediterrean region, but Borage has been cultivated in European herb gardens for hundreds of years. Oils extracted from Borage contain similar fatty acids found in fish. Copped leaves are sometimes added to salads because of its odor is likely as cucumbers.

Chiefly it contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA)

There is no one seriously claims any medicinal benefits for Borage. But the GLA content of the oil is much higher than that of the evening primrose, and a number of conditions have been successfully treated with the latter. There include eczema, rheumatoid arthritis and premenstrual tension.

1) The seeds of Borage contain a large amount of a fatty acid. This fatty acid (25 percent or more) named gammalinolenic acid (GLA), is the same product found in fish oil. And it is also found in Evening primrose, the fruits of Black currants, and in Gooseberry as well. In human body another fatty acid, linoleic acid, is the precursor of GLA. GLA plays a key role in human metabolism and is a component of many tissues of our body. GLA converts into prostaglandins which involves the inflammatory process.

2) Evidences showed that, even though the body converts LA to GLA, just adding supplemental LA to the diet does not increased levels of GLA in the body. But when GLA is added to the diet, levels of hormones made from GLA do increase. Based on these facts, GLA has been added to the diet of severely injured animals that brings a higher survival rate than those did not receive GLA.

3) The activation of T cell, the type of lymphocytes that is thought to be responsible for much of the pain and swelling in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, can be prevented by adding GLA in the diet. These effects are under active investigations.

4) One clinical study, men who were treated with Borage oil responded better to experimental stress than men treated with fish oil, olive oil, or placebo. The heart rate and the blood pressure are remained stable. This result might be interpreted that GLA plays a role in counter the reaction of stress.

5) One warning effect of Borage is the cancer inducing effect. Since Borage contains also pyrrolizidine, the large amount of this alkaloid could be convert into compounds that can damage DNA translation in the liver, that increased the risk of cancer formation.

Except in certain specific disease states, there is no evidence that the body will benefit from increased GLA intake, and there is even some concern that too much GLA could dangerously increase the tendency of blood to clot. There is minor amount of cancer inducing toxins present in the plant and it is the other fact that warring for taking in large amount.

No effective dose is known for certain to suggest. Low dose as 3 gm. per day of oil seems to have no effect on blood clotting, but what other effect this dose might exert on the body is not known.

Borage is though to provide medical usage to relieve stress and to modify inflammation but these still not well proved by enough scientific studies. Fresh borage leaves might make a tasty addition to a salad, though. Portions of the plant contain a known carcinogen, and Borage products are banned in some countries.

Borage seems to be used in many ways. It may be a diaphoretic since the name "Borage" is said to derive from the Arabic word abu rach, means "father of all sweat." It might be mental drug since the Greeks and Romans believed that Borage could cure feelings of melancholy. Traditional herbalists use Borage as a diuretic. But all these medical benefits were not proper demonstrated. However, the oil extracted from the seeds, turn out to be a useful food supplement