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Borage
CautionBorretsch · (Borago officinalis)
Borage family (Boraginaceae)
Description
Borage, also known as starflower, is an annual herb in the flowering plant family Boraginaceae native to the Mediterranean region. Although the plant contains small amounts of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, some parts are edible and its seeds provide oil.
CONTRAINDICATED during pregnancy
STRICTLY CONTRAINDICATED. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids cross the placenta and are hepatotoxic — damage to the fetal liver (veno-occlusive disease) is possible. Frankfurt Green Sauce should also not be eaten regularly during pregnancy.
CONTRAINDICATED during breastfeeding
STRICTLY CONTRAINDICATED. PAs pass into breast milk and can cause severe liver damage (hepatic veno-occlusive disease) in the infant. Historically documented infant deaths after maternal PA consumption.
CONTRAINDICATED for children
Strictly avoid internal use of borage herb in children — child liver is particularly sensitive to PA. Also avoid regular consumption in Frankfurt Green Sauce for young children.
Critical drug interactions with:
Hepatotoxische Arzneimittel (Paracetamol-Hochdosis, Methotrexat, Isoniazid, Ketoconazol, Statine, Valproinsäure)
- RawLeafInternalFolk medicine
Classic ingredient in Frankfurt Green Sauce and wild-herb salads — cucumber-like flavour. Only young leaves, only occasionally, due to pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
Preparation & dosage
- RawFlowerInternalFolk medicine
Edible, brilliant-blue flowers as spectacular decoration. PA content of flowers is markedly lower than leaves; still use only in decorative amounts.
Preparation & dosage
[#src_pfaf_borago] [#src_wiki_en_borago] [#src_heilkraeuter_borago]
- SpiceLeafInternalFolk medicine
Traditional culinary use as aromatic herb with cucumber-like flavour — signature herb of Frankfurt Green Sauce.
Preparation & dosage
- TeaFlowerInternalFolk medicine
Historical folk-medicinal use as a calming, 'heart-strengthening' and diaphoretic tea. No longer recommended today due to pyrrolizidine alkaloids — listed for documentary purposes only.
Preparation & dosage
[#src_kommission_e_negativ] [#src_henriettes_borago] [#src_heilkraeuter_borago]
- SalveSeedExternalClinical trial
Borage seed oil is largely PA-free (unlike the herb) and rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Used externally for atopic dermatitis and dry skin — ingredient of modern skin care.
Preparation & dosage
Distribution in Europe
🤝 Permaculture Partners
In your garden, this plant acts as:
✨ Best symbiotic partners
- 🌿 Calendula officinalis Calendula and borage — the dual insect magnet.
- 🌿 Cucurbita pepo Borage attracts pollinators to squash flowers.
- 🌿 Zucchini Borage attracts pollinators to zucchini flowers — more fruits.
- 🌿 Fragaria vesca Borage attracts pollinators to strawberry blossoms and strengthens the plant.
📦 Part of these planting sets:
Source: Helga und Margarete Langerhorst, Mein gesunder Naturgarten (eigene Kuration)