Borago officinalis
Boraginaceae
Habitat: Indigenous to Great Britain, Europe, and North Africa, naturalized in North America.
Collection: The leaves should be gathered when the plant is coming into flower in the early summer. Strip each leaf off singly and reject any that are marked in any way. Do not collect when wet with rain or dew.
Constituents:
- Pyrrolizidine alkaloids, including lycopsamine, intermedine and their acetyl derivatives, with amabiline and supinine
- Choline. Allantoin is reported to be absent.
Actions: Diaphoretic, expectorant, tonic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, galactogogue, nervine.
Indications: Borage acts as a restorative agent on the adrenal cortex, which means that it will revive and renew the adrenal
glands after a medical treatment with cortisone or steroids. There is a growing need for remedies that will aid this gland with the stress it is exposed to, both externally and internally. Borage may be used as a tonic for the adrenals over a period of time. It may be used during fevers and especially during convalescence. It has a reputation as an anti-inflammatory herb used in conditions such as pleurisy.
The leaves and seeds stimulate the flow or milk in nursing mothers. Borage contains potassium and calcium.
Combinations:
Preparations & Dosage: Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leave to infuse for l0-l5 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day. Tincture: take l-4ml of the tincture three times a day.
