Medicinal Plants : Borago officinalis

Name

Borage

Biological Name

Borago officinalis
Boraginaceae

Other Names

Bugloss, burrage, common bugloss, borage,

Parts Used

Leaves, flowers

Active Compounds

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids, including lycopsamine, intermedine and their acetyl derivatives, with amabiline and supinine.

Choline. Allantoin is reported to be absent.

Remedies For

Diaphoretic, expectorant, tonic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, galactogogue, nervine.

Borage acts as a restorative agent on the adrenal cortex. In other words, borage will revive and renew the adrenal glands after a medical treatment with cortisone or steroids. There is a growing need for remedies that will aid this gland with the stress it is exposed to, both externally and internally.

Borage may be used as a tonic for the adrenals over a period of time. It may be used during fevers and especially during convalescence. It has a reputation as an anti-inflammatory herb used in conditions such as pleurisy. The leaves and seeds stimulate the flow or milk in nursing mothers. Borage contains potassium and calcium.

Description

Borage is an annual plant that grows wild in the Mediterranean countries and is cultivated elsewhere. The hollow, bristly, branched and spreading stem grows up to 2 feet tall. The leaves are bristly, oval or oblong- lanceolate, the basal ones forming a rosette and the others growing alternately on the stem and branches. The blue or purplish, star-shaped flowers grow in loose racemes from June to August.

Dosage

Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leave to infuse for 10- 15 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.

Tincture: take l-4ml of the tincture three times a day.

Safety

Prolonged use of borage is not advisable. No other information is available.