Borage Flower
BORAGE FLOWER | BORRAJA
Borage flower is a wild little star-shaped bloom in electric sky-blue, covered in soft hairs and glowing with an energy that says “you’ve got this.” Known as the herb of courage, borage isn’t just pretty… It’s one of the most emotionally intelligent plants in the Western herbal tradition. A flower that’s been quietly restoring courage, soothing nerves, and strengthening the adrenal system for centuries.
Borago officinalis is native to the Mediterranean region, where it’s been used since at least the time of Ancient Rome and Greece. The great Greek physician Dioscorides wrote about it as a tonic for “melancholy,” and Roman soldiers were said to steep it in their wine before battle to steel their hearts and steady their nerves. That’s how borage earned its nickname, herba paniculata, the “panic herb,” a plant that dispels fear and brings clarity when the stakes are high.
In medieval Europe, borage became a favorite of herbalists, monks, and kitchen witches. It was grown in monastery gardens and added to cordials, stews, and tonics to comfort the heart, treat sorrow, and strengthen people during times of grief or physical depletion. Herbalists believed borage could “make the mind glad,” and it became known as a remedy for sadness, exhaustion, and frayed spirits.
And borage is as supportive physically as it is emotionally. Its leaves and flowers are rich in potassium and calcium, and its seeds produce an oil high in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA)- an omega-6 fatty acid that helps regulate hormones, inflammation, and skin health. For centuries, herbalists have used borage to treat adrenal fatigue, PMS, menopausal symptoms, respiratory inflammation, and dull, dry skin. It’s also been used to stimulate lactation, cool fevers, and ease kidney issues, thanks to its gentle diuretic effect.
In English folk medicine, borage was considered both cooling and uplifting- used to balance hot, restless states, especially when grief or anxiety was held in the body. It was made into teas, syrups, and infused honey, or even added to wine and gin for its cheerful effect. It’s one of the few nervine herbs that’s also nutritive, meaning it calms without sedating and rebuilds while it soothes.
Borage also has a long-standing place in women’s herbalism. The flower and leaf are often included in tonics for emotional resilience, hormonal shifts, and postpartum recovery- especially when energy is low and the nervous system feels frayed. It’s the kind of herb you reach for when you’re bone-tired but still need to keep going. If you’ve ever seen it bloom in the wild, you’ll understand why. Borage flowers face the sky, even when their stems are bent or their petals are damp. They grow fast, die back, and come back strong. That’s the same energy they offer in your cup- come back strong.
Medicinal Uses of Borage Flower
Mood and Emotional Support
Uplifts mood and eases sadness, grief, and emotional fatigue
Traditionally used to “gladden the heart” and support emotional resilience
Adrenal and Nervous System Tonic
Supports recovery from burnout and chronic stress
Gently nourishes the nervous system and boosts mental clarity
Respiratory Relief
Soothes dry, irritating coughs and sore throats
Eases mild bronchial inflammation and helps with recovery from colds or flu
Anti-inflammatory and Diuretic
Reduces inflammation in joints and tissues
Promotes urination to help flush excess fluids and relieve water retention
Hormonal Balance
Eases PMS, menstrual cramps, and menopausal symptoms
Supports hormonal regulation, especially when paired with borage seed oil (rich in GLA)
Skin Soothing (Topical Use)
Calms itchy, red, or inflamed skin when applied as a compress or rinse
Helpful for rashes, eczema, and mild dermatitis
Mild Febrifuge (Fever Relief)
Traditionally used to promote sweating and help break fevers
Supports the body during acute infections or overheating