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Borage: Bravery in Bloom (and a Gift for Stressed-Out Adrenals)
- Jodi McKee
- May 21, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: May 2
Let me introduce you to one of the most underrated garden rebels: Borage (Borago officinalis). With its star-shaped blue flowers, fuzzy leaves, and impressive nutrient profile, borage isn’t just a pretty face — it’s an adrenal-loving, skin-soothing, nervous system-balancing powerhouse that practically begs to be in your herbal toolkit.
And yes, it might’ve helped a few knights ask for a date (more on that in a moment).
First, the science stuff....
Borago officinalis
Common Name
Borage, starflower
Family
Boraginaceae
Botanical Description
Borage is a bristly plant that grows to a height of 1-4 feet. Its succulent stems are round and hollow, with prickly white hairs. The leaves are hairy, measuring 2-5 inches in length, and emit a cucumber-like scent when crushed. Borage is an annual plant, though it self-sows easily, with bright blue, star-shaped flowers featuring brown anthers. The flowers turn pink after pollination; how cute is that! It thrives well in poor soil, in full sun to partial shade, and is loved by bees.
A Brief (and Bold) History of Borage
Long before herbalists wrote plant monographs, the Celts were sipping borage in their wine cups, believing it sparked bravery. One theory says the name “borage” comes from the Latin borra, meaning “rough hair,” a nod to its hairy leaves and stems (relatable, right?). Another ties it to the Celtic word borrach, which means “a person of courage.” Either way, this herb has been linked to boldness and bravery for centuries.
Legend has it that borage was added to stirrup cups for Crusaders and slipped into the drinks of bashful suitors to inspire a little extra moxie. Herbal wingman, anyone?
Borage for the Burned-Out & Overdone
While we may not be gearing up for a crusade, most of us are juggling modern-day battles — stress, anxiety, burnout, hormonal chaos… you name it.
That’s where borage shines.
Modern herbalists (and a few old-world grannies) use the aerial parts of the plant to:
Support adrenal recovery, especially after periods of high stress or post-steroid use
Help with mental exhaustion, overwhelm, and that “I just can’t anymore” feeling
Ease anxiety, insomnia, and nervous system dysregulation
Soothe inflammation in the digestive tract and irritated skin
Borage says, “I see your burnout, and I raise you a restorative tonic.”
Moisture, Magic & Mucilage
Borage is rich in mucilage, that slimy (in a good way) compound that soothes and coats tissues — think dry throats, scratchy lungs, and angry skin. It’s also:
Demulcent: makes things smooth and calm on the inside
Emollient: makes things smooth and calm on the outside
Anti-inflammatory: great for red, puffy, cranky anything
The leaves and flowers have slightly different talents:
Flowers are cooling, somewhat sweet, and used as a diaphoretic (they encourage gentle sweating)
Leaves are more diuretic, helping clear heat and move fluid through the system
It’s like plant-based air conditioning for body systems on fire.
Starflower Oil: Small Seeds, Big Impact
Now let’s talk about borage seed oil, often labeled as starflower oil (because, branding....).
This oil is:
The richest known plant source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA)
Even more GLA-rich than evening primrose oil (yes, really)
Used for eczema, PMS, hormonal acne, and chronic inflammatory conditions
GLA is a fatty acid that your body uses to regulate inflammation and make hormone-like compounds.
It’s especially helpful for:
Rheumatoid arthritis
Cyclic breast pain
Chronic skin issues like eczema and dermatitis
Clinical trials suggest it actually works, not just “folklore and flower crowns” working.
Borage and the Adrenal Glands: Stress, Steroids, and Recovery
Here’s where borage gets really interesting: it’s considered a restorative for the adrenal cortex. That’s the part of your adrenal glands that deals with stress hormones like cortisol.
Some clinical herbalists turn to borage for:
Adrenal insufficiency
Palpitations at rest
Anxiety and insomnia
Post-cortisone recovery
It’s especially loved in cases where the nervous system has been in overdrive and now just… can’t.
Think of borage as the plant that puts the “rest” back in “restorative.”
Ways to Use Borage
Infusion (tea):
Use the leaves and flowers in a gentle tea for the nervous system, adrenals, and upper respiratory tract.
Tincture:
Great for adrenal fatigue, burnout, and hormonal blues.
Infused oil:
Use topically for dry, irritated, inflamed skin.
Seed oil (internally):
Rich in GLA, this oil is taken as a supplement for skin, hormone, and inflammation support.
Herbal Actions (a.k.a. What It Does)
Adrenal restorative
Anti-inflammatory
Demulcent
Diaphoretic
Diuretic
Emollient
Refrigerant (cooling)
Taste + Energetics
Taste: Pungent, salty, slightly sweet
Energy: Cooling, moistening (great for dry, hot constitutions)
Final Thoughts
Borage may look like a whimsical wildflower, but it’s a serious ally for the stressed, the inflamed, and the hormonally frazzled. With its cooling energy, mucilaginous goodness, and adrenal-loving properties, it offers a much-needed botanical reset.
So next time you feel like you’re burning the candle at both ends, remember this: Borage has been boosting bravery and softening stress since Celtic times — and it's not about to stop now.
Want more herbs that support your nervous system and hormonal health?
Download Harvest & Herb: A Modern Medicinal Garden and start building your apothecary from the ground up.
Scientific Research
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