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Information About The Herb Borage
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General Information
Botanical Name: Borago officinalis
Common Name: Bugloss, Burrage, Common Bugloss
Plant Family: Boraginaceae
Origin: Borage was originally from Aleppo.
History: There is some doubt as to the name's origin:
A corruption of the Latin corrago, from cor, 'the heart' and ago, 'I bring', because of its cordial effects; or from the French bourra or Italian borra meaning 'hair or wool', both from the Latin burra, 'a flock of wool'; or from the Celtic barrach meaning 'a man of courage'.
Borage was called 'the Herb of Gladness' and was a favorite of ancient scholars and writers. Pliny called it 'Euphrosium' and wrote that 'it maketh a man merry and joyeth'.
It is classed as 'a herb of Jupiter'.
Contains:
- calcium
- deposits of niter and common salts (when boiled or cooked)
- mineral acids
- nitrate of potash
- potassium
- saline mucilage
Borage was the famous 'Nepenthe of Homer that when steeped in wine, brought absolute forgetfulness' (Dioscorides) and was one of the four cardinal flowers of the ancients.
Medicinal Part used: Herb, Leaves and Flowers
Borage was used since olden times:
- before tournaments and jousts for courage
- for the comfort of the heart
- to calm and quieten frantic, hysterical behavior
- to drive away 'all sad sadnesse, dulnesse and melancholy' (Pliny and Dioscorides)
- to drive away sorrow
- to exhilarate and make the mind glad
- to instill courage in warriors (Vikings)
- to 'revive the hypochondriac and cheer the hard student' (John Evelyn, late 17th century)
Borage is commonly used for:
Blood Conditions
- purifies blood
Brain and Nervous System Conditions
- nerve tonic
- nervous conditions
Cardiovascular Conditions
- palpitation of the heart
- pulmonary complaints
Female Conditions
- promotes milk in nursing mothers
Genitourinary Conditions
- promotes the activity of the kidneys
Glandular Conditions
- activates the Adrenal Glands
Inflammatory Conditions
- catarrh
- peritonitis
- rheumatism
Liver Conditions
- jaundice
Respiratory Tract Conditions
- feverish colds
- pleurisy
It is used as a gargle for:
- mouth ulcers
- sore throat
Externally it is used as a poultice for:
- inflammatory swellings
Other Uses:Flowers can be:
- candied and used on cakes or in sweets
- eaten in salads
Other
- antidote to some poisons
- reduces fevers
- reduces high temperatures
- restores vitality during convalescence from illness
Action:
- ant-inflammatory [an agent to ease inflammation]
- aperient [a mild stimulant producing a natural movement of the bowels; a gentle purgative]
- calmative [an agent that has a mild sedative or tranquilizing effect]
- demulcent [a substance that soothes inflamed mucous membranes and to protect them from irritation]
- diaphoretic [an agent that promotes perspiration]
- diuretic [an agent that increases the volume and flow of urine which cleanses the urinary system]
- emollient [an agent used externally to soften and soothe]
- febrifuge [an agent that reduces or eliminates fevers]
- galactagogue [an agent that encourages or increases the secretion of milk]
- pectoral [remedy for pulmonary or other lung and chest diseases]
- refrigerant [an agent that lowers abnormal body heat, relieves thirst and gives a feeling of coolness]
- tonic [an agent that tones, strengthens and invigorates organs or the entire organism giving a feeling of well-being]
Caution:
Contact with the fresh leaves may cause dermatitis in sensitive people.
Drug Interactions:
Do not use Borage without first talking to your practitioner or healthcare provider if your are taking any of the following medications:
- None Known
Global Herbal Supplies has Borage available in the following forms:
Information given by our website is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a physician or other medical professionals. You should not use the information given for diagnosing a health problem or disease. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. The above information is just a guide to general circumstances and in no way should it contradict the advice that you have been given by your naturopath, medical doctor or specialist.
More Herb Information:
A: Adhatoda Vasica || Agrimony || Albizia || Alfalfa || Allspice || Aloe vera || Amaranth || Andrographis paniculata || Angelica || Anise || Arnica || Astragalus ||
B: Baical Skullcap || Barberry || Basil || Bay Laurel || Bayberry || Bergamot || Bilberry || Bistort || Black Cohosh || Blackberry || Bladderwrack || Blessed Thistle || Blue Cohosh || Boneset || Borage || Brahmi || Buchu || Bupleurum || Burdock || Butcher's Broom ||
C: Calendula || Californian Poppy || Caraway || Cascara || Catnip || Cats claw || Cayenne || Cedar || Celery seed || Chamomile german || Chamomile roman || Charparral || Chickweed || Cinnamon || Cloves || Coleus forskohlii || Coltsfoot || Comfrey || Commiphora mukul || Cornflower || Cornsilk || Corydalis ambigua || Crampbark || Crataeva nurvala ||
D: Damiana || Dandelion || Devil's claw || Dill || Dong quai || Dragon blood ||
E: Echinacea || Elder tree || Elecampane || Ephedra || Eucalyptus || Evening primrose || Eyebright ||
F: False unicorn || Fennel || Fenugreek || Feverfew || Flax || Frankincense ||
G: Garlic || Gentian || Ginger || Ginkgo biloba || Ginseng american || Ginseng korean || Ginseng siberian || Ginseng tienchi || Goat's rue || Goldenrod || Goldenseal || Gotu kola || Gravel root || Green tea || Guaiacum resin || Gymnema ||
H: Hawthorn || Hemidesmus indicus || Hops || Horehound white || Horseradish || Horsetail || Hyssop ||
I-J-K-L: || Inula || Juniper || Kava kava || Lavender || Lemon balm || Licorice ||
M-N-O: Marshmallow || Meadowsweet || Mistletoe || Mugwort || Myrrh || Neem || Nettles || Oats || Olive tree ||
P-Q: Paeonia lactiflora || Passionflower || Pau_D Arco || Peppermint || Phyllanthus amarus || Picrorhiza kurroa || Plantain || Polygala tenuifolia || Polygonum multiflorum || Queens delight ||
R: Raspberry leaves || Red clover || Rehmannia glutinosa || Rheum palmatum || Ribwort || Rosehips || Rosemary || Rue ||
S: Sage || Salvia militiorrhiza || Sarsaparilla || Saw palmetto || Senna || Shepherd's purse || Skullcap || Slippery elm || Squaw vine || St john's wort || St mary's thistle ||
T-U-V: Thyme || Thyme wild || Uva ursi || Valerian || Vervain || Violet || Vitex agnes castus ||
W: Walnut || Wild cherry || Wild yam || Willow bark || Willow herb || Witch hazel || Withania || Wormwood ||
Y-Z: Yarrow || Yellow dock || Zizyphus ||
