Borage: what it is, properties and benefits

What is borage and what is it used for?

Borage (Borago officinalis) is a plant characteristic of the Mediterranean landscape, which appears abundantly along roadsides and planted from early spring.

It is a annual plant, up to 70 cm tall, covered all over with a bristly hair, very visible. Have the fleshy stemthe basal leaves very largepetiolate, wrinkled and rough, and the smaller superiorshugging the stem.

Has showy flowersblue or white, which, like the stems, they are edible, spicy flavor. In addition to his culinary uses (With boiled potatoes and a mince of garlic and almonds, borage stalks make a tasty and healthy dinner.) the borage has healing properties.

Although the expression “stay in borage water” alludes to unfulfilled expectations, borage is, on the contrary, a exceptional medicinal plant, useful against dozens of conditions.

Borage properties

The seeds of the borage they are rich in unsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic (omega-6) and linolenic (omega-3) acids. borraja’s oil is considered a excellent hormone regulatorthat balances the menstrual cycle and relieves associated pain, such as back and kidney problems, muscle spasms and breast swelling. Like evening primrose oil, borage oil is rich in gamma-linolenic acid, a precursor of prostaglandin E1. Its vasodilator effect and hormonal regulation allows its use as a uterine relaxant. For this purpose, two to four oil pearls are usually taken a day, before meals. Borage oil is also indicated in rheumatic and arthritic pain.In addition, it prevents circulatory disordersand balances cholesterol levels in the blood. To the virtues of borage seeds are added the medicinal properties of the rest of the borage plant: expectorant, sudorific and purifying.Borage also has properties diureticsfacilitates the emission of urine and increases its frequency, and allows curb infections in the urinary tract. It has been indicated in cases of arterial hypertension, gout, edema and overweight due to fluid retention. Borage is a very valid remedy to deal with all kinds of respiratory conditions, in colds with cough, flu, laryngitis, pharyngitis and bronchitis. It helps to sweat and to reduce the tenths of fever. external use shows a pronounced purifying action and dermoprotectiveuseful against skin impurities, such as eczema, dermatitis and pimples, and to be applied to bites, swelling, wrinkles and dry skin, improving its appearance.

Natural remedies with borage

Borage infusion for throat irritation

In cases of throat irritation and lung congestion, herbalists combine the leaves and flowers of borage with plantain, agrimony and marshmallowin equal parts for infusion.

How to prepare it: Boil for three minutes 2 level tablespoons of the mixture per half liter of water. Filter and drink during the day.

Infusion with borage to fight the flu and reduce fever

combine 40 g of borage, elderberry and basil flowers, with 30 g of rosemary, hyssop and savory and 10 g of eucalyptus, centaury and lavender leavesin the proportion of two level tablespoons per half liter of water.

How to prepare it: Boil the water, add the mixed plants when it starts to boil, remove from the heat and keep at rest, covered, for 10 minutes. It is sweetened with honey or a few drops of lemon are added. Up to three glasses a day are drunk, very hot, while the discomfort persists.

Borage infusion for irritated or aged skin

The compresses that are prepared with the combined infusion of borage, calendula, gotu kola and chamomile.

How to prepare them: Two tablespoons of the mixture are served per glass of water and boil for two minutes. 10 more are left at rest and filtered. The compresses are soaked with the infusion and applied, twice a day, on the skin, keeping them for a few minutes to take effect.

Borage infusion to purify the body

the infusion of 30 g borage leaves and flowers per liter of water also acts as an excellent natural purifier. It is enough to take three glasses a day, before meals.

Precautions and contraindications

He prolonged use is not recommended. It should not be consumed during the pregnancy and lactationand in case of liver conditions previous.

Advisor: J Mª Teixé, herbalist at Manantial de Salud