2019). However, currently, the only species which is grown worldwide at commercial
level is B. officinalis, and others are endemics and threatened for extinction (Selvi et al.
2006). In India, Plectranthus amboinicus [Lour.] Spreng, belonging to the family
Lamiaceae, is known as Indian borage and/or country borage (Bhatt and Negi 2012).
Borage plant is short in height (60–100 cm) having hollow and succulent stem, alternate
wrinkled and pointy leaves and star-shaped flower with white, pink, purplish or most
commonly blue-coloured petals (Fig. 14.1). The flower also contains sepals alternate to
each petal which become dark red to brown in colour from green with time. After
completion of the life span of the flower, petals shed off, and sepals close up to form a
pot-shaped structure, covering and protecting the fruit inside. The fruit simply consists of
four bare seeds known as nutlets (Mifsud 2004). When the nutlets are ripe, they become
dark brown to black in colour and simply fall off without any mechanical dispersion.
Traditionally, borage has been grown for its therapeutic, nutritional and medicinal
values. Its fresh leaves and flowers give cucumber-like flavour and are consumed raw
and cooked in the form of salads as well as in the preparation of beverages. The borage
leaves and flower were also used for the preparation of decoctions and tea by fusion,
culinary and decorative purposes as well as in traditional medicines such as for the
treatment of inflammation, cough, skin rashes, irritation, etc. (Roberts 2000;
Rio-Celestino et al. 2008). The infusion or extract of fresh borage leaves has also
been reported to show diuretic, diaphoretic, febrifuge (antipyretic), galactagogue
(which promotes lactation), calmative, blood-purifying and vitalizing properties
(De Smet 1993). Commercially, borage is cultivated worldwide for its oil content
(30–40%), which has received considerable interest due to the presence of high amount
of γ-linolenic acid (GLA) (18–30% of total oil) (Beaubaire and Simon 1987). GLA has
shown antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antiarthritic, antimutagenic, immunomodulatory and antiobesity activities in human and animals, which will be discussed in further
sections. In addition to GLA, borage oil contains minor quantity of tocopherols,
phytosterols and squalene and, thus, used frequently in cosmetic products also.
14.2 Market Status
As discussed previously, borage oil has nutritional, pharmaceutical as well as therapeutic potential owing to the presence of GLA (an essential omega-6 fatty acid),
tocopherols and other nonsaponifiable phytonutrients. Owing to its bioactivity and
functional properties, GLA has witnessed enormous demand in global market.
According to a report, global borage oil market was valued to 33.91 million USD in
2015, which is expected to grow to 54.9 million USD in 2024 with a CAGR of 5.5%
(Grand View Research 2016). The increased demand of natural bio-based cosmetic
products, supplements and medicines is the key factor behind the massive growth of
borage oil market worldwide. Currently, borage is cultivated throughout the world for
its oil content. Europe, Canada and New Zealand are the main producers of borage oil
probably due to the high altitude and favourable climatic conditions. It is reported that
the Asia-Pacific region accounted approximately 30% of the total market demand of
borage oil in 2015. The developing countries such as China, India and Indonesia are
14 Borage (Borago officinalis) Seed
353
level is B. officinalis, and others are endemics and threatened for extinction (Selvi et al.
2006). In India, Plectranthus amboinicus [Lour.] Spreng, belonging to the family
Lamiaceae, is known as Indian borage and/or country borage (Bhatt and Negi 2012).
Borage plant is short in height (60–100 cm) having hollow and succulent stem, alternate
wrinkled and pointy leaves and star-shaped flower with white, pink, purplish or most
commonly blue-coloured petals (Fig. 14.1). The flower also contains sepals alternate to
each petal which become dark red to brown in colour from green with time. After
completion of the life span of the flower, petals shed off, and sepals close up to form a
pot-shaped structure, covering and protecting the fruit inside. The fruit simply consists of
four bare seeds known as nutlets (Mifsud 2004). When the nutlets are ripe, they become
dark brown to black in colour and simply fall off without any mechanical dispersion.
Traditionally, borage has been grown for its therapeutic, nutritional and medicinal
values. Its fresh leaves and flowers give cucumber-like flavour and are consumed raw
and cooked in the form of salads as well as in the preparation of beverages. The borage
leaves and flower were also used for the preparation of decoctions and tea by fusion,
culinary and decorative purposes as well as in traditional medicines such as for the
treatment of inflammation, cough, skin rashes, irritation, etc. (Roberts 2000;
Rio-Celestino et al. 2008). The infusion or extract of fresh borage leaves has also
been reported to show diuretic, diaphoretic, febrifuge (antipyretic), galactagogue
(which promotes lactation), calmative, blood-purifying and vitalizing properties
(De Smet 1993). Commercially, borage is cultivated worldwide for its oil content
(30–40%), which has received considerable interest due to the presence of high amount
of γ-linolenic acid (GLA) (18–30% of total oil) (Beaubaire and Simon 1987). GLA has
shown antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antiarthritic, antimutagenic, immunomodulatory and antiobesity activities in human and animals, which will be discussed in further
sections. In addition to GLA, borage oil contains minor quantity of tocopherols,
phytosterols and squalene and, thus, used frequently in cosmetic products also.
14.2 Market Status
As discussed previously, borage oil has nutritional, pharmaceutical as well as therapeutic potential owing to the presence of GLA (an essential omega-6 fatty acid),
tocopherols and other nonsaponifiable phytonutrients. Owing to its bioactivity and
functional properties, GLA has witnessed enormous demand in global market.
According to a report, global borage oil market was valued to 33.91 million USD in
2015, which is expected to grow to 54.9 million USD in 2024 with a CAGR of 5.5%
(Grand View Research 2016). The increased demand of natural bio-based cosmetic
products, supplements and medicines is the key factor behind the massive growth of
borage oil market worldwide. Currently, borage is cultivated throughout the world for
its oil content. Europe, Canada and New Zealand are the main producers of borage oil
probably due to the high altitude and favourable climatic conditions. It is reported that
the Asia-Pacific region accounted approximately 30% of the total market demand of
borage oil in 2015. The developing countries such as China, India and Indonesia are
14 Borage (Borago officinalis) Seed
353