Borage by Liz

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

 

Folk Names: Borak, Bugloss, Burrage, Common bugloss, Herb of Gladdness,  Star Flowers

GENDER: Masculine PANET: Jupiter   ELEMEnT: Air

POWERS: Courage, Magickal Protection, Psychic Powers

Parts Used: flowers, 1eaves and seed oil

MAGICAL USES: Carry fresh blossoms to stengthen your courage.
Place one in your buttonhole for protection when walking outdoors.
A tea of Borage induces psychic powers.

 

Botanical Name: borago officinalis L.

Description: Borage is an annual herb growing 1-2' in height with bright blue starlike flowers often used as garnishes in fruit salads and drinks.

Culinary Uses: The young leaves of Borage are added to salads while the flowers make a colorful garnish and is also edible and tasty. Also added to vinegars and wine for added flavor.

External uses: Borage is very helpful for skin conditions such as eczema, herpes, acne, gingivitis. Make a tea of the dried herb and apply with cotton ball to affected areas.

Medicinal Parts Used: leaves, stems, flowers

Medicinal Properties and Uses of Borage: Borage contains many nutrient compounds containing protein, fats, carbohydrates, fiber, glucose, gamma-linolenic acid, as well as vitamins A ,C, B, Beta carotene, choline, niacin, riboflavin and thiamine. Minerals of Borage consist of calcium, iron, magnesium, cobalt, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and zinc. Other compounds of Borage consisits of tannins, allantoin, malic acid, mucilage, lactic acid and rosmaric acid. Borage is traditional used to sooth sore throats, fevers and pulmonary complaints as well as an adrenal cortex restorer for overworked, exhausted states. The leaves stimulate production of Breast-feeding Mothers. The seeds of Borage reduces cardiovascular stress related to blood pressure and heart rate. It is great for inflammation due to allergies and infection of the mucous membrane. Used as an eyewash, borage relieves irritation. As an expectorant, it helps in loosening phlegm for coughs. It's oils are rich in linoleic acid and gammalinolenic to help treat menstrual problems and chronic skin conditions. Great for colds, flu and bronchitis.

Borage Tea Recipe: Steep 1 tsp dried herb in 1 cup water. Drink 3 cups a day after meals.

Borage Cautions: The alkaloids in Borage have a toxic effect on the liver and should not be used for prolong periods of time or if you have tumors or are pregnant.

http://organicheirloomplants.com/boragemedicinalculinary-dried-herb...

APPLICATIONS

Leaves:

INFUSION – An herbal infusion is made from the leaves of the borage, this remedy is normally used in the treatment of feverish colds and is given to patients suffering from the early stages of different lung disorders. This form of the borage remedy is also known to stimulate the production of milk in lactating mothers who sometimes combine the herbal infusion with another herb the fennel and used it to bring about an increase in lactation.
TINCTURE – A herbal tincture prepared from the leaves of the borage is normally as a general tonic following steroid therapy, it is also used to beat back the symptoms of stress, dosage of this tincture can be 10 ml of the remedy, taken thrice every day, the dose is similar for both uses.
JUICE - A fresh juice of the borage can be prepared from the leaves of the herb, this can be prepared by pulping the freshly plucked leaves and used for the treatment of problems such as long term depression, intense grief, or persistent anxiety - the normal dose level for all three uses is 10 ml of the juice, taken thrice every day.
LOTION – The leaves of the borage can also be turned into an herbal lotion, this can be prepared by diluting the borage leaf juice using an equal volume of water, this dilute lotion can be topically applied on irritated and dry skin, and it is also excellent for the treatment of nervous rashes on the body of affected individuals.

Seeds:

CAPSULES – The seeds of the borage are also utilized to make a number of herbal remedies, the dose of the seed oil can be one 500 mg oil in the form of a capsule every day, this can be an herbal supplement for conditions ranging from disorders such as eczema or problems like persistent rheumatoid arthritis in patients. This borage seed oil is consumable and it is at times used in the treatment of irregular menstrual problems, it is also often used in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, and the seed oil is also used to relieve bad hangoversas an emergency herbal remedy, dosage is about a 1 g capsule in such cases.

Flowers:

SYRUP – Borage flowers are often used to make a herbal infusion and then this is turned into a thick syrup, for use in the treatment of coughs, this herbal syrup has an expectorant action in the body and can help clear away accumulated mucus in the respiratory passages. This herbal syrup can be used together with remedies from mullein flowers or mixed with remedies derived from marshmallow flowers.

COLLECTION AND HARVESTING

The new leaves of the borage can be plucked fresh and harvested young during the entire length of the growing season. It is best to pluck leaves only in the period immediately before use; this is because the leaves that are harvested tend to wilt very quickly once they are plucked. Midmorning is the best time to pick the flowers, these can be taken off either as single flowers or in entire clusters of flowers, the reason for this is that at this time the flowers tend to be fully open and are dry. Due to the tendency of dry leaves to lose all flavor and color, the borage herb is not considered good for drying and long term storage. Though difficult to grow indoors, if you succeed then the leaves can be harvested on a regular basis just like spinach in the garden, the young leaves are preferable at all times.

more information @ http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_borage.htm