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Alternative medicine: Borage
Tue, 09 Oct 2007 23:02:14
By Patricia Khashayar, MD., Press TV, Tehran
Borage is a complementary drug used to revitalize and nourish weakened individuals after
long ailments or in treating various diseases.
Botanical: Borago officinalis (LINN.)
Family: N.O. Boraginaceae
Synonym: Burrage.
Habitat:
The Common Borage is a hardy annual plant coming originally from Aleppo but now
naturalized in most parts of Europe.
Description:
The whole plant is rough with white, stiff, prickly hairs. The round stems, about 1 1/2 feet
high, are branched, hollow and succulent. The leaves alternate, large, wrinkled, deep green,
oval and pointed are 3inches long or more and about 1 1/2 inches broad.
The plants bright blue star-shaped flowers are distinguished from those of every plant in this
order by their prominent black anthers. Its fruit consists of four brownish-black nutlets.
Medicinally used parts:
The leaves, and to a lesser extent, the flowers. The leaves are gathered and dried when the
plant is coming into flower.
Constituents:
Borage contains potassium, calcium, vitamin C, saponin, mucilage and tannin combined with
mineral acids.
The fresh juice contains 30 percent and the dried herb 3 percent potash nitrates.
Medicinal uses:
Borage stimulates the release of adrenaline (the fight or flight hormone) and so it helps the
body face stressful situations, anxiety, insomnia and other psychological disorders.
It is often used as an antipyretic and expectorant in pulmonary complaints.
By virtue of its saline constituents, it promotes the activity of the kidneys and can be used as
a diuretic.
Its juice is thought not only to be good for alleviating fevers, but also a remedy for jaundice,
itch and ringworm.
It increases lactation and can be used as a demulcent and emollient.
Its conserved or candied flowers are good for people weakened by long ailments, and for
those subject to swooning; its extract is considered effective in curing the inflammation of the
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eyes.
Its fresh leaves are thought to be enlivening, revitalizing and nourishing.
Preparation:
Borage tea can be prepared as an infusion of the leaves and flowers in boiling water and
consumed daily after each meal.
The leaves and flowers can be used to flavor drinks or in salad and cucumber pottage.
The flowers can be made into jam which is believed to be helpful in
in the recuperation period of long diseases.
Externally, it is employed as a poultice for inflammatory swellings.
Caution:
Excess use may result in addiction.
PKH/HGH
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http://www.presstv.com/pop/print.aspx?id=26466 3/17/2008