Evidence supporting the use of: Borage
For the health condition: Rashes and Hives
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Borage (Borago officinalis), particularly its seed oil, has been used traditionally for skin conditions such as rashes and hives (urticaria). The traditional use stems primarily from its content of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid thought to have anti-inflammatory effects. Herbal medicine traditions in Europe and the Middle East have employed borage preparations topically and orally for inflammatory skin problems. However, while some small studies and case reports suggest that borage oil may benefit certain inflammatory skin conditions (most notably atopic dermatitis), evidence specifically for rashes and hives is limited and not robust.
Systematic reviews of clinical trials usually focus on atopic dermatitis rather than acute rashes or hives, and results are mixed, with some showing modest improvement and others no significant effect. The mechanisms proposed involve the modulation of inflammatory responses due to GLA, but direct clinical evidence for hives (a histamine-driven allergic reaction) or generic rashes is lacking. Thus, the use of borage for rashes and hives remains rooted more in traditional practice than in strong scientific validation.
In summary, borage is traditionally used to support skin health, including rashes and hives, but the quality and quantity of clinical evidence for these specific conditions is low to moderate. More rigorous studies would be necessary to justify its use scientifically for these indications.
Other ingredients used for Rashes and Hives
AbrusAbuta
Acacia
Achyranthes
Agrimony
Akebia
Albizia
Alchornea
Alkanna
Allantoin
Aloe vera
Alstonia scholaris
American Liverleaf
Amor seco
Anemone
Anserina
Aquilegia formosa
argan nut oil
Arisaema
Asam gelugor
assam indigo
Baikal Skullcap
Baliospermum
banyan
Barleria
bee propolis
bentonite
Bergenia
betony
birch
bisabolene
bittersweet
black poplar
Black spruce
Blepharis
blubber oil
blue flag
bogbean
borage
Bougainvillea
Brazilian peppertree
burdock
burning bush
Calotropis gigantea
camphor oil
Campylandra fimbriata
cedar
chamomile
chickweed
chinatree
Chiococca alba
cleavers
Clerodendrum indicum
cocklebur
copaiba oil
coriander
corktree
cowslip
cucumber
Cyathula
David\'s milkberry
dendramine
devil\'s club
divi-divi
Dwarf Nettle
emu oil
Erythropalum scandens
Eupatorium
fang-feng
Ficus religiosa
fireweed
fleabane
four-leaved grass
frankincense
Galbanum
Gardenia jasminoides
Genipa americana
genipap
geranium
golden eye-grass
Golden Willow
gotu kola
Gumweed
Heartsease
heather
Heliopsis
henna
Homalomena
Immortelle
immunoglobin G
Indian nightshade
Indian sarsparilla
Japanese sophora
Jessica\'s sticktight
Jewelweed
jojoba oil
juniper berries
Labdanum
Lantana camara
Large-leaved linden
Ledebouriella
Leptadenia
Leptospermum scoparium
Lesser speargrass
licorice root
Lindera
linseed oil
liverwort
Lophira lanceolata
Loranthus
lotus
lovage
Lygodium
Lysimachia
Mahonia
Manchurian thorn
manzanita
Marking Nut Tree
Marshmallow
Matapalo Tree
Meadowsweet
melaleuca alternifolia
Mesua
Microtea debilis
Morus
Myrobalan
Nettle
Night jessamine
Oak
Ocotillo
orchid
oriental arborvitae
paederia foetida
Pedra hume
Pentatropis capensis
Pepper Bark Tree
Persimmon
Pimpinella
Plumbago zeylanica
Pokeweed
Polypodium
poplar
Premna
prickly ash
Psacalium peltatum
Queen's Delight
Rhododendron
Rhus glabra
rose
Rubia cordifolia
Rubus
Sandy Everlasting
Sanguisorba
Sapindus mukorossi
sarsaparilla
sea salt
Semecarpus anacardium
Semiaquilegia
Servicetree
sheep's sorrel
silk tree
Silkmoth
Sinapis arvensis
Skunkvine
slippery elm bark
Snakeroot
Soapberry
Southernwood
Speedwell
Spikenard
Spiraea
Stachytarpheta cayennensis
Stephania root
Stone Root
Storax
Sweet Bay
sweetgums
Szechuan lovage
Takuna
Tansy
Taraxacum
Tea Tree Oil
Terpinen-4-ol
Thuja
Toadflax
Tree of heaven
Turtle Head
typhonium
Verbascoside
Veronica
vitamin C
vitamin E
Waltheria ovata
White Heather
White oak
White Poplar
Willow
Witch Hazel
Wood betony
Wrightia tinctoria
Yarrow
Yellow root
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
Zinc
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
