skip to main content

how toxic are borage leaves?

17 years ago

I have read that although borage leaves are good for a great deal of things, they also happen to be toxic to the liver in the long run. Is there a way of avoiding/getting rid of the harmful chemical in it? Would borage seeds have the same therapeutic effect as the leaves? Or do they work for different symptoms?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

rusty_blackhaw
17 years ago
The problem is that borage leaves contain the same type of alkaloids found in comfrey (which is known to be toxic to the liver), although total alkaloid content in borage leaves is described as low (according to a profile on drugs.com).

The potential for liver damage suggests that any borage use be in small quantities, and that it be avoided during pregnancy or nursing. What therapeutic effects exist seem to be limited and poorly documented, so maybe just admiring it in the garden is the safest course.
Daisyduckworth
17 years ago
The leaves and flowers are the parts used medicinally and for culinary purposes.

Do not use borage while pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you suffer from epilepsy or schizophrenia. Touching the Borage plant can cause dermatitis in those with sensitive skin. Recommended for external use only. Avoid excessive or long-term use.

It's important to take note of which parts of any plant are used. If you don't see mention of any part in any remedies or discussion, then don't use them. You don't need to know why (although you might be curious!) - just don't use them.
Related Discussions
Hey yall, if rhubarb leaves are toxic why are
Q
Comments (7)
Some birds prefer insects, some fruit, some grains and some are flesh eaters Takes all kinds. Birds have thier preference and prefer food that tastes good and does not fight back too much. Fuzzy caterpillars are not on the list of prefered foods but there are somelarge birds like chickens which will eat snails and slugs. Many thgings which are toxic to humans are not toxic to to ther organisms. Even the most toxic plant will have something which uses it as food. Note that a weed is simply a plant which you do not want. Dandelions and purslane are edible for humans. Under suitable conditions they outgrow any insect damage, but if you look closely you will find insect damage. Large domestic birds like chickens , turkey , geese will eat them. The old folks use to geese to weed their strawberry patches. They don't like strawberry plants but will eat most of the grasses and broadleaf weeds that infest the patch.
...See More
Burned soil in oven, how toxic is it? Useful for something?
Q
Comments (3)
Everything I have seen about sterilizing soil in the oven simply says do not allow the soil temperature to exceed 200 degrees F. I see nothing that tells me that would make the soil toxic to plants. Take a cue from volcanoes, the lava that is spewed out from them is much hotter then anything you could reach in your oven and yet plants grow in that after it cools.
...See More
rhubarb leaves toxic?
Q
Comments (4)
If one were to exclude from the compost pile all the plants that were toxic to some degree or another if consumed, there wouldn't be much in it! Many plants contain toxins - oxalates, glycosides, alkaloides, etc. - that could cause severe gastric distress, cardiac arrest, neural disorders or various other serious health issues if eaten. And that includes rhubarb leaves, tomato and potato foliage, tea leaves and a host of ornamental plants. They are natural defense mechanisms that keep the plant safe form predators, usually grazing animals. That doesn't mean they can't be composted. Composting or the decomposition process neutralizes the toxins, as it does with most other harmful compounds. Besides, not too many folks eat their compost......:-) FWIW, the issue with rhubarb leaves is oxalic acid (oxalates) and to some degree, glycosides. Green or black tea, Camellia sinensis, has a far higher concentration of oxalic acid than does rhubarb and yet it is consumed readily. It's all in the dosage.
...See More
If a plant is toxic to hamsters can I assume it is toxic to voles too?
Q
Comments (29)
No voles here, but I do have a terrible gopher problem. I have a neighborhood park on two sides of the property, so there’s an endless supply of them coming in. I do plant my most precious plants in gopher cages, but I can’t realistically plant everything in cages. I have been experimenting with a plant called Plectranthus neochilus. It has a skunky aroma when watered or brushed up against. I ordered it from Annie’s Annuals and Perennials. Annie’s makes no mention of it causing gophers to leave the area, but I read about it while researching the plant. Apparently many animals despise the scent of it. It’s an almost succulent type plant, and makes a good ground cover. Although I only purchased one plant, it roots so easily that I can just break off a stem and stick it in the ground. I keep it moist for a week or two, and it takes off. The areas where I have planted it have been deserted by gophers completely. I plan to put them all around the edge of my yard. The big drawback to Plectranthus neochilus is that it’s only perennial in zones 9-11, so it wouldn’t be helpful during the winter in cold zones. It does look a plant that you could overwinter indoors, however. I don’t have enough experience with this plant to say it works perfectly at keeping the gophers away yet, but I’m encouraged by the results so far. I was further encouraged when a visiting aunt from the San Joaquin Valley recognized it. She said she’d always wondered what it was called, as it’s planted all around the commercial strawberry fields to keep the gophers out. If the commercial growers are using this plant for gopher problems, there must be some truth to what I’ve read. It’s just very unfortunate that as a tender South African plant, it’s not hardy below zone 9. Still, it might be worth looking into for those in warm climates with gopher/vole problems. Lisa
...See More
meandra
Original Author
17 years ago
eric_oh and daisyduckworth: thank you both for answering my question. Did you know that borage is actually touted as a galactogogue in many websites dealing with babies and motherhood? Sheesh! I happen to be breastfeeding at the moment, so maybe I should look into another plant--say, holy thistle? It's a shame that it doesn't promote milk production *and* lift up the spirits in the way borage is traditionally considered. I could use both at the moment.
eibren
14 years ago
They sell Borage Oil softgels in drugstores.

Maybe those would be safe to use.
herbalbetty
14 years ago
meandra, borage flowers are considered to be the part of borage which is uplifting. They don't contain the PAs that the leaf does. I would still check with your doctor though if you are breastfeeding. Remember to stay away from sage if you are nursing, as that does dry up breast milk. Best wishes to you and your baby.
novice_2009
14 years ago
Meandra, if it was me breastfeeding, (and it has been) I would avoid all herbs and anything unnecessary. If you are have trouble with milk production, make sure your baby is nursing quite often, as more demand produces more supply. Drink LOTS of water, and eat well. I know you know all this, sorry! But just remember, anything you put in your body ends up in your milk in some form or amount. Talk to a lactation consultant or midwife (very experienced one).
Best of luck to you and your baby, as breastmilk is the BEST thing for the baby, and you.
homeplate29_hotmail_com
12 years ago
I am getting ready to make Borage bread for the first time.... should I? Or should I not? I never knew a recipe from a recipe book would contain something toxic???

Related Stories

HEALTHY HOME Detox Your Kitchen for the Healthiest Cooking

By Robyn Lawrence

Maybe you buy organic or even grow your own. But if your kitchen is toxic, you're only halfway to healthy

HEALTHY HOME Sleep Happier and Healthier in a Toxin-Free Bedroom

By Robyn Lawrence

Light pollution, toxic bedding, wallpaper that off-gases ... if you're not getting good sleep, these bedroom blights might be to blame

DECORATING GUIDES Conjure a Jungle in a Pot

By creative jewish mom.com

Sprawling, climbing and with primitive-looking leaves, philodendrons bring untamed beauty to even the most civilized homes

WINTER GARDENING Great Design Plant: Gold Collection Hellebores Perform Like Stars

Exciting colors, longer bloom times, forward-facing flowers ... These hybrids leave old hellebores in the dust

KITCHEN DESIGN Spring Clean Your Kitchen

By Vanessa Brunner

Scour our 15 ways to ditch the dirt and get rid of the gunk, leaving your kitchen spick and span in time for spring

MOST POPULAR 20 Ideas for Easygoing Summer Parties

By Laura Gaskill

Ditch the fancy and fussy in favor of laid-back entertaining that leaves you more time to enjoy the fun

FALL GARDENING 11 Trees for Brilliant Fall Color

By Marianne Lipanovich

Give your landscape the quintessential look of autumn with the red, orange and yellow leaves of these standouts

HOUSEPLANTS Get a Tropical Splash With a Bird's Nest Fern

By creative jewish mom.com

Sword-shaped leaves make this fern a stunning accent — and you can even mount it on wood for a wall hanging

GARDENING GUIDES Ingredients of a Beautifully Wild Bouquet

By Annie Thornton

Layer these branches, flowers and leaves for a stunning DIY flower arrangement

GREEN BUILDING Houzz Tour: Passive House in Vermont Slashes Heating Bills

By Becky Harris

Its ecofriendly, low-maintenance design leaves a family with more time to relax and enjoy the weekend home

Sponsored

Peabody Landscape Group

8 Reviews

Franklin County's Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting

More Discussions

Herbs (Chaste tree)

0