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An Interesting Herb Fact
The Healing Beauty of Borage
The borage flower (Borago officinalis) is well known for its lovely blue color. The flowers have been used since Elizabethan times for both decoration and for its healing beauty. Recent modern research has shown that the plant may actually stimulate the adrenal glands, encouraging the production of adrenaline, that famous 'fight or flight' hormone that is responsible for getting our bodies geared up during the most stressful times in our lives. Herbalists describe the character of the borage...
The Healing Beauty of Borage
The borage flower
(Borago officinalis) is well known for its lovely blue color. The
flowers have been used since Elizabethan times for both decoration and
for its healing beauty. Recent modern research has shown that the plant
may actually stimulate the adrenal glands, encouraging the production
of adrenaline, that famous 'fight or flight' hormone that is
responsible for getting our bodies geared up during the most stressful
times in our lives. Herbalists describe the character of the borage
flower itself as cold, moist, and slightly sweet. The leaves and
flowers are known to contain saponins, tannins, mucilage, vitamin C,
potassium and calcium. The seeds of the borage plant are known to
contain essential fatty acids, including y-linolenic acids and
cis-linoleic acids.
The fresh blue flowers of the borage plant have been traditionally used
to decorate salads and other foods, and the flowers were also used to
make syrups that were used to treat coughs and colds. However, the
leaves of the borage plant have been more of a mainstay in medicinal
medicine than the pretty blue flowers. The leaves of the plant are
described as fleshy and coarse, and they have been traditionally used
to treat stress or to counter the effects of steroid therapy. The
leaves can also be used dry in a variety of herbal remedies. For
instance, the dry leaves of the borage plant can be used to treat dry,
lingering raspy coughs. They can also be used to stimulate milk flow.
The leaves of the borage plant can also be used to treat the early
feverish stages of whooping cough or pleurisy. Traditional herbalists
recommend that the borage plant leaves be harvested throughout the
growing season.
The seeds from the borage plant are also used in traditional herbal
medicine. The oil extracted from the borage plant seeds are often used
as an alternative to the popular evening primrose oil. The oil
extracted from the borage plant seeds is often used to treat problems
associated with menstrual disorders as well as rheumatic disorders. The
oil extracted from the borage plant seeds is considered to be soothing
and healing and is also recommended for use externally, where it can be
applied to treat eczema. Borage oil is now commonly available
commercially in capsule form.
The leaves of the borage plant can be infused and taken as a hot tea to
treat lung disorders and feverish colds. Mothers who are lactating can
combine this infusion with fennel to stimulate milk flow. The leaves of
the borage plant can also be pulped to create a fresh juice.
Naturopaths and herbalists recommend 10 ml of juice three times a day
to treat grief, anxiety or depression. The leaves of the borage plant
can also be diluted into equal parts water to create a lotion to treat
dry skin or rashes. Capsules of borage oil can be taken daily as a
supplement to treat skin problems such as acne and eczema. They may
also be taken to help treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. |
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