Borage – Borrago officinalis

An annual plant with blue flowers and hairy foliage, borage is highly prized in gardens and alternative health practices. In powder form, it concentrates the active ingredients of the entire plant, facilitating its use internally or externally, under professional advice if necessary.

Description

Fine green to dark green powder, obtained from dried and ground flowering tops (flowers, young leaves, stems). Strong plant odor, light texture.

Nomenclature

• Common names: Borage, ox tongue
• Latin name: Borrago officinalis
• Family: Boraginaceae
• Part used: Flowering top (flowers + young leaves + tender stems)
• Form: Powder
• Origin: Europe, Mediterranean basin
• English name: Borage tops powder
• Name in German: Borretschspitzenpulver
• Name in Spanish: Polvo de cima de borraja
• Name in Italian: Polvere di sommità di borragine
• Name in Arabic: مسحوق قمم لسان الثور (Masḥūq Qimam Lisan al-Thawr)

Main virtues

In cosmetic use, it is renowned for its softening, soothing, and regenerating properties for the skin. In plant-based formulations, it is used in soothing supplements or infusions.

Main constituents

Mucilages, flavonoids, organic acids, gamma-linolenic acid (traces), tannins.

Use and dosage

• Cosmetic: incorporate into masks, scrubs or poultices (1 teaspoon for 1 spoon of clay).
• Instant infusion: 1/2 teaspoon in 200 ml of hot water, mix well.
• Supplementation: capsule dosage to be defined by a competent professional.

Precautions, side effects and contraindications

• Contains fresh pyrrolizidine alkaloids: respect moderate doses.
• Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding without medical advice.
• Avoid if known to be allergic to plants in the Boraginaceae family.

History and origin

Borage is traditionally associated with serenity and comfort. Its use in powder form is recent but continues the tradition of ancient botanical uses, particularly in gentle skincare and floral preparations.

Miscellaneous information

• Storage: in an airtight container, away from light and humidity.
• Packaging: opaque jar, sealed bag, metal box.
• Appearance: fine, homogeneous powder, green to brown-green.
• Odor: herbaceous, slightly floral.

Sources and references

• Pl@ntUse – https://uses.plantnet-project.org
• Historical Phytotherapy Corpus
• Traditional medicinal and cosmetic flora
• Ethnobotany of European plants

🔎 Information

The products on aromacentre.fr are not medicines. They are natural, plant-based treatments. All usage advice on our site is for informational purposes only. Any additional requests should be made to a qualified healthcare professional. In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods, we are unable to publish this information on the site. Taking this product does not exempt you from consulting a doctor or prescribing it. Ask your doctor or healthcare practitioner for advice. Be sure to read the precautions for use before using any medicinal plants. The use of herbal preparations is not recommended without consulting your doctor or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with medications prescribed by the patient, reducing their therapeutic effectiveness or causing toxicity. They can also worsen the weakening of the body's vital functions, thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life-threatening risks.

Disclaimer

The Apophycaire brand, the aromacentre.fr website, and SAS LPBE disclaim all liability for the use of the information on this site. Each individual is responsible for the use of these products and must ensure that their use is appropriate for their health.