CZPLEN

Borage

Borago officinalis
borage · starflower · bee bread

For skin and inflammation — GLA acid from the oil is a strong anti-inflammatory.

Borage

🌿 What does it help with

  • 🧴Eczema, dry skin, skin inflammation
  • 🔥Anti-inflammatory effects
  • ❤️Support cardiovascular system
  • 💪Rheumatism

🔬 Active compounds

GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) in oil, mucilage in leaves.

GLA acid converts to series 1 prostaglandins — anti-inflammatory mediators.

🌾 How and when to harvest

Harvest periodJune – August
Plant partsleaves, seeds (oil)
Dryingshade, 35–40 °C
Shelf life1 year

☕ Preparation methods

Oil (cold-pressed)Leaf tea
💡

Pro tip: Borage oil is safe — pyrrolizidine alkaloids are only in the leaves.

📋 Recipes

1 Borage oil ▾
1 teaspoon cold-pressed oil a day — add to salads or food.
2 Borage oil in dishes ▾
Fill a dry, clean jar with dried herb. Pour in olive or sunflower oil so the plant is completely submerged. Seal and place in a sunny spot for 4–6 weeks. Strain through gauze. Apply directly to the skin or use as a base for ointment.
3 Leaf tea (short-term use) ▾
1 teaspoon dried leaves pour 250 ml water, steep 5 minutes. Max. 4 weeks in a row — leaves contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids. For long-term use, oil from the seeds is safer.
🔒
6 more recipes in the Herbarium
Borage oil in capsules · Borage for skin · Combination with evening primrose oil · Borage for women · Borage tea (short-term) · Borage for eczema
🌿 See all recipes — the Herbarium is free

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