Yes — Borage (Borago officinalis) is catalogued as edible in this database. Always confirm species ID before harvest and source from clean ground.

Borage is generally regarded as well-tolerated, but no plant is risk-free. Avoid during pregnancy/nursing without clinician approval, and discontinue if adverse effects occur. Always disclose herbal use to your prescriber.

Is Borage safe during pregnancy?

This database does not flag Borage with pregnancy-specific contraindications, but no herb should be assumed safe in pregnancy without clinician review. Consult a licensed herbalist or your prenatal care provider before use.

How should Borage be stored?

Dried Borage keeps 12–18 months in an airtight glass jar away from direct sunlight and moisture. Volatile-oil constituents degrade faster — buy in small quantities and use within 6 months of opening for peak potency. Refrigerate tinctures once opened.

What are alternatives to Borage for energy & focus?

Explore the /goals/focus guide on PlantSage for evidence-ranked alternatives supporting energy & focus. Different plants suit different constitutions and constraints (pregnancy, driving, alcohol tolerance).

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IIIFolio · plant profile№ 1647medicinal · edible

Data provenancePermapeopleTrefleWikipedia PFAF POWOeditorially reviewedreviewed 13 Jul 2026methodology → read

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Borage

Borago officinalis

Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified clinician before using any herbal preparation — especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, while on medication, or for children. How we source & review →

medicinal edible annualherbsmedicinaledible

Updated13 July 2026·Quick Q&A →

Borago officinalis (Borage) — botanical photograph

Pl. 1647 — Borago officinalis

Borago officinalisBorago officinalisBorago officinalisBorago officinalisBorago officinalisBorago officinalisBorago officinalisBorago officinalisBorago officinalisBorago officinalisBorago officinalisBorago officinalisBorago officinalisBorago officinalis

Prezentare

Borage (Borago officinalis) este un plant anual, furtună/erbu nativ în zone precum Algerie, Baleares, Corse, Franța, Grecia, Italia, Kriti, Libia. Această plantă se dezvoltă în soluri legături de lumină (sandy), medii și grele (clay) cu un pH între 6,5 și 7. Cunoscut pentru fructele mâncaște, borage este adesea cultivat pentru utilizare culinară. Se pot propaga prin semințe direct în exterior, făcând scăzutul plantei la aproximativ 45 cm când ajung la 4 cm în înălțime. Semințele ar trebui să se paseze după ultimul gheata, iar plantele ar trebui spațiate cu aproximativ 60 cm între ele. Borage este distins printr-o floare stară caracteristică, care poate fi de culoare violetă violetez, dar poate apărea și albastru sau rosu. În modul său ușor și aerian, este potrivit pentru gardenuri unde poate se extinde pentru a forma un mat de înălțime scurt.

Quick answers

What is Borage?

What is Borage used for?

Traditionally used for energy & focus. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.

Full Q&A reference →

Best for

Top 1 evidence-ranked use of Borage

Jump to full evidence →

Energy & focus

▲ Limited

Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile

Beneficii și dovezi

1 claim · 0 sources

Traditional-use note: Borage appears in herbal sources around clarity and study-routine traditions, often as a tincture. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original low confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
▲ LimitedEnergy & focus →0 sources

IV·b

Mixology suggestions

1 draft

Editorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.

Borage support blend

general

tea

borago officinalis2p

vaccinium fuscatum1p

AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.

Build your own blend with the Mixology Engine →

Growingconditions · propagation · uses

Cultivare

Light

7/10

Water

Dry, Moist

Soil

Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)

Hardiness

6-9

Life cycle

Annual

Habit

Forb/herb

Mature size

0.6 m × 0.3 m

Soil pH

6.5–7

Seasonal calendar

Northern hemisphere · UTC month is September

winterspringsummerautumnwinter

BloomJFMAMJJASOND

Propagation: Direct seed outdoors, thin to 45cm apart when seedlings are 4cm tall
Sow outdoors: At last frost
Germination: 5-15 days
Spacing: 60cm
Row spacing: 30 cm

For first-time growers

How to grow Borage for the first time

8steps

Start with borage as a simple, low-maintenance addition to your garden.

1
What you'll need
Borage seeds, a trowel or small shovel, and a watering can.
2
Best time to plant
Plant borage after the last frost in spring.
3
Soil and container prep
Choose a spot with well-draining soil that is not too heavy. Ensure it gets at least 6 hours of sunlight daily.
4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds outdoors, spacing them about 45cm apart when seedlings are 4cm tall.
5
First two weeks
Water the plants regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Thin out weaker seedlings if necessary.
6
Ongoing care
Continue regular watering, especially during dry spells. Mulch around the base for moisture retention and weed control.
7
Harvest or pruning
Prune borage regularly to encourage bushy growth and prevent it from going to seed too quickly.
8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in heavy soil, not providing enough sunlight, neglecting regular pruning, and sowing seeds too close together.

Edible & utility

Edible parts:leaves

Edible uses: Oil, Colouring, Tea

Other uses:DyeoilDynamic accumulator

Contextrange · companions · related

VII

Distribuție

15 native · 15 introduced

Distribution across3 continents· 15 native· 15 introduced

Europe7 regions

native (5)FranceGreeceItalyPortugalSpain

introduced (2)PortugalRussia

Americas4 regions

introduced (4)Dominican RepublicGuatemalaHaitiHonduras

Africa4 regions

native (4)AlgeriaLibyaMoroccoTunisia

Broader regions

native:Kriti, Yugoslavia

introduced:British Columbia, Baltic States, East Aegean Is., Argentina South, District of Columbia, Argentina Northwest, Illinois, Irkutsk, Connecticut

VIII

Garden companions

28 pairs

Plant near these

These plants help — by repelling pests, fixing nitrogen, attracting pollinators, or sharing space well.

Borage

Prezentare

What is Borage?

What is Borage used for?

Beneficii și dovezi

Mixology suggestions

Cultivare

How to grow Borage for the first time

What you'll need

Best time to plant

Soil and container prep

Sowing or transplanting

First two weeks

Ongoing care

Harvest or pruning

Common mistakes

Edible & utility

Distribuție

Garden companions

Specimen gallery

See also

Explore further

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