Do you want to know about the borage plant benefits and contraindications? Here we explain it to you, but first let’s see its botanical aspect.
Borage is endemic to the Mediterranean region, but has spread from there to other parts of Europe and North America.
The herb has been cultivated for centuries as a garden plant for its ornamental value, health benefits, medical effects, and as a source of nectar for bees. It thrives best in calcareous, nutrient-rich soil.
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borage description
The borage It is an annual plant in the Boraginaceae family (the borage or forget-me-not family).
The plant is covered in thick, stiff hairs, and can grow up to 70 cm tall or 28 inches. The stem is erect with oval or lanceolate leaves that are rough and wrinkled.
The large, star-shaped flowers are in scattered clusters. They have five petals that are purple at first but later turn blue. The flowering period is from July to August. The flowers produce a lot of nectar, which makes them very attractive to bees.
The plant generally produces four seeds from each flower. Borage seeds contain about 30 percent commercially used oil.
Unfortunately, the seeds mature over a long period of time and fall to the ground when ripe, making it difficult to harvest in large quantities.
Plant Parts Used: The leaves, flowers, and oil extracted from the seeds are used in herbal medicine.
The leaves and flowers are generally used fresh.
The dried herb should not be stored for more than a year, as it quickly loses its medicinal effect.
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Borage Health Benefits
Borage contains mucus substances, tannins, saponins, resins, essential oils, potassium, calcium, vitamin C and other substances.
Borage leaves contain small amounts of pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are toxic to the liver. However, the levels of these toxic alkaloids are extremely low.
The seed oil is rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid. The amount of GLA in the oil varies from 20 to 27 percent. borage benefits and contraindications
The oil also contains about 10 percent alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid.
Borage oil can help regulate the hormonal system, reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels, strengthen the immune system, prevent allergies, premenstrual problems, and prostate disorders.
The herb has traditionally been used as an herbal remedy to treat urinary tract infections, cystitischronic renal inflammation, catarrh, pneumonia, tuberculosis, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome and depression.
The plant also has its traditional external uses. It has been used and can help as a treatment for itchy inflamed skin, wounds, eczema, rashes, arthritis, and gout.
As natural mouthwashis used to treat mouth and throat infections, mouth ulcers, and bleeding gums.
The seed oil is an alternative to evening primrose oil for atherosclerosis, rheumatic pain, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menstrual problems, prostate disordersallergies, arthritis, eczema and other skin problems.
Herbal tea made from borage may be helpful in treating acne and reducing fever. borage benefits and contraindications
Tea can also act as a natural expectorant and clearing the respiratory tract, therefore it is considered a useful remedy for colds, coughs, flu, sore throats, bronchitis, and respiratory tract infections.
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Dosage and administration
Herbal tea can be made by pouring a cup of boiling water over one to two teaspoons of dried herb and steeping for 5 to 10 minutes.
Some herbalists recommend drinking up to three cups a day and as a tincture three times a day.
Know also how to prepare borage oil remedies for arthritis, stretch marks and more
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Borage Contraindications, Side Effects, and Interactions
The pyrrolizidine alkaloid content found in plants of the Boraginaceae family calls into question the safety of borage as a culinary and medicinal herb, especially if large amounts of leaves are consumed.
Borage contains small amounts of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. In high concentrations, these alkaloids have been shown to cause liver damage and liver cancer.
Borage seed oil contains none or very small amounts of these compounds.
In addition to the seed oil, several borage herbal preparations are subject to sales restrictions in many countries, including Australia, New Zealand, and Germany.
Borage should be used with caution, both as a food and as a medicine, and should not be taken for a long period of time.
Pregnant women or nursing mothers should not use the herb.
People who suffer from epilepsyschizophrenia, or those taking the drug Phenothiazine should not use this herb.
Some plants in the Boraginaceae family, such as borage, can cause dermatitis and inflammation of the skin, so be careful when collecting and drying the plant.
It is safe to say that this herb should only be used in consultation with trained healthcare professionals.
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