Botanical Ingredient
Borage
Borago officinalis
Borage is a hardy annual herb in the Boraginaceae family, native to the Mediterranean and long prized in European herbalism for its striking star-shaped blue flowers and exceptional gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) content — one of the richest botanical sources of this omega-6 fatty acid. GLA is a potent anti-inflammatory that the body converts to prostaglandin E1, a compound that directly modulates inflammatory pathways in the skin. Borage seed oil has been clinically studied for eczema, dermatitis, and dry skin conditions.
Traditional Uses
- Skin-soothing and anti-inflammatory topical in European herbalism
- Traditional remedy for eczema and dry, irritated skin
- Adrenal tonic and 'courage herb' in medieval European medicine
- Emollient seed oil for skin barrier repair
- Culinary and medicinal flower used across Mediterranean traditions
Key Properties
Did You Know
Medieval knights drank borage-infused wine before battle for courage — the Latin saying 'Ego borago gaudia semper ago' translates to 'I, borage, always bring courage.' Modern research suggests this may not have been pure superstition: borage stimulates the adrenal glands.
Our Sourcing
Borage is grown in InVine's Florida garden in Tallahassee, where it self-seeds readily and produces abundantly through the cooler months. We harvest the leaves and flowers at peak bloom, drying them gently to preserve their mucilage and active compounds.
Why We Use It
Borage earned its place in the garden the day I saw those vivid blue star-shaped flowers for the first time — nothing else in the beds looks quite like it. But it stayed because the GLA content in its seeds is genuinely remarkable. Gamma-linolenic acid is one of the most studied anti-inflammatory compounds for skin conditions, and borage is one of nature's richest sources. It also self-seeds generously, which means once it is established, it keeps showing up season after season without being replanted. A beautiful, productive, self-sustaining plant — that is exactly what I want in the garden.