Evidence supporting the use of: Borage
For the health condition: Congestion (sinus)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Borage (Borago officinalis) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures. Traditionally, both the leaves and flowers of borage have been used as remedies for respiratory complaints, including congestion and coughs. The plant is known to contain mucilage, which can have soothing effects on irritated mucous membranes, theoretically providing some relief from sinus congestion. Folk medicine practices have sometimes involved drinking borage tea or using it in steam inhalations for these purposes.
From a scientific perspective, there is limited direct evidence supporting borage's effectiveness specifically for sinus congestion. Some studies have investigated borage seed oil for its content of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which possesses anti-inflammatory properties, but these studies are mostly related to conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and atopic dermatitis, not respiratory or sinus issues. The traditional use of borage for respiratory health has not been robustly validated by clinical trials or pharmacological studies targeting congestion.
In summary, borage’s use for congestion is primarily justified by traditional herbal practices rather than modern scientific validation. While its mucilage content and possible mild anti-inflammatory effects are plausible mechanisms, clinical evidence for its efficacy in treating sinus congestion is weak or absent.
Other ingredients used for Congestion (sinus)
AconiteAdrenergic amines
Agastache
Alantolactone
Allicin
Allium tuberosum
Allspice
Allyl isothiocyanate
Aloe vera
alpha-pinene
alpha-terpineol
alpinia galangal
Amor seco
andrographolide
anise
Arisaema
asafoetida
Asarum heterotropoides
Asarum sieboldii
Asteraceae
atractylodes
atractylone
balloon flower
balsam
Baphicacanthus cusia
basil
bayleaf
bee hive
bee products
Belamcanda
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
betel
bicarbonate
bioflavonoids
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black currant
black pepper
black salt
black seed
blackboard tree
boneset
borage
borneol
Bougainvillea
Buddha\'s hand
bupleurum falcatum
bасора
cajuput
calamus
Camellia sinensis
capsaicinoids
cardamom
Carthamus
carvone
cayenne pepper
chamomile
chen pi
Chinese raisintree
Chondrus
chrysanthemum
cineole
cinnamaldehyde
Cistus
Citrus
Clerodendrum trichotomum
clove
coltsfoot
Coptis chinensis
coriander
dragonhead
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
Elder
elderberry
English horsemint
Ephedra
ephedrine
eucalyptus
eugenol
European Elder
fang-feng
fennel
ferula assafoetida
forsythia
frankincense
Galangal
Gallesia
gamma-terpinene
Gardenia jasminoides
garlic bulb
ginger
Gnaphalium
green tea
Hedyotis
honey
horehound
Horsemint
horseradish
Houttuynia
hyssop
Indian frankincense
inula racemosa
Isatis
Ivy
juniper berries
labrador tea
Laggera pterodonta
Ledebouriella
lemongrass
licorice root
Ligusticum
Ligustrazin
limonene
Litsea
Lomatium
long pepper
lovage
malabar nut
Marjoram
Marsh Tea
Meadow sage
Menthol oil
Mint
Monoterpenes
Mucolase
Mugwort
Mustard
mustard seed
Nardostachys
Nigella seed
Nutmeg
onion
oregano
oriental arborvitae
Orris
Osha
Osmanthus
Paris polyphylla
Pepper
Peppermint
perilla
Phellodendron
Piper nigrum
Piper retrofractum
pomegranate
Pyrrosia
quercetin
ravinsara
Rhus coriaria
rosemary
Sabadilla
sage
Sagebrush
Sambucus nigra
Sandalwood
Sassafras
Scabrous Gentian
sea salt
Sesquiterpenes
shiitake mushroom
Sichuan Lovage
Sichuan pepper
Smartweed
Solanum indicum
Sophora
spearmint leaf
Sphaeranthus indicus
spruce
Sundew
sweet flag
thyme
Thymus
Trichosanthes
turmeric
Vasicine
Vasicinone
Vervain
Viola
vitamin C
Wasabi
Winter Savory
Wulinshen
Yerba buena
Yerba santa
Yuzu
zanthoxylum
Zedoary
Zingerone
Other health conditions supported by borage
ArthritisAsthma
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Eczema
Edema
Inflammation
Influenza
Pain (general remedies for)
PMS (general)
Rashes and Hives
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin Care (general)
Stress
Wounds and Sores
