Borage (herb)

Beautiful plant. I didn't even know the Borage (herb) plant existed until now. Wish I could have helped.

Angela, this is one of the most beautiful flower shots I've ever seen-- I love the blue color and the star shape. Like Martha, I never heard of this either but I'm going to google it and try to get some in my garden if it's hardy for my zone (Southern California). I bet this would look gorgeous candied and then put on a birthday cake.

Hi Again, Here's the information I found about the health benefits of borage from the Herbal Extract Plus website:

Botanical: Borago officinalis
Family: Boraginaceae (borage)
Other common names: Bee Bread, Burrage, Common Bugloss, Starflower

Spirits need a lift? Borage has a reputation for easing depression. It is also believed to soothe the body's mucous membranes, suppress inflammation, and help ease arthritis and rheumatism. It is known to be rich in gamma linolenic acid, the omega-6 fatty acid that is as essential for overall health as vitamins.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein by Herbal Extracts Plus is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

History:
Borage is a handsome annual of the borage family and native to Mediterranean countries. It grows to a height of about two feet and has a long history of cultivation in gardens and apiaries for its spray of brilliant blue and purplish flowers, which are most attractive to bees. Dioscorides wrote of Borage's soothing and calming qualities, and the Roman naturalist, Pliny, praised Borage for its power to make men joyful. The herb's name is derived from the Gaelic borrach, meaning courage, and in The Herball, or Generall Historie of Plantes (1597), Gerard extolled its virtues that included the lifting of spirits and driving away sadness, "quieting lunatic behavior" and also maintained that the herb's use brought on courage. The leaves, flowers, and oil from the seeds are used in herbal medicine. Some of Borage's constituents include valuable minerals, essential fatty acids (including gamma linolenic acid and linoleic acid), mucilage, saponins, essential oil, tannin, beta-carotene, B-vitamins, Vitamin C, and the alkaloid, pyrrolizidine.

Beneficial Uses:
Borage oil is thought to be a gland balancer that regulates hormonal systems and is said to be effective in helping to relieve menstrual and menopausal problems, particularly with regard to depression and mood swings. It is said to be a mild sedative with antidepressant effects.

The soothing, mucilaginous substances in Borage account for many of its medicinal effects. Borage is a demulcent and soothes all mucous membranes, including those of the respiratory system (reducing the discomforts of sore throat, bronchitis, and hacking coughs) and also those irritated tissues of the gastrointestinal system.

Borage is a diuretic that has been used for kidney and bladder ailments. It is known to increase perspiration, cool the body, and lower fever.

Borage is thought to act as an excellent adrenal tonic and gland balancer that helps to revive and renew the health of the adrenal gland after medical treatments of cortisone or steroids have been administered.

As an anti-inflammatory, Borage is said to help suppress inflammation of the mucous membranes throughout the body and also help relieve inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, rheumatism, eczema, and other skin problems.

Borage contains essential fatty acids and minerals that help to maintain healthy cardiovascular function and healthy skin and nails. Borage is rich in fatty, gamma linolenic acid (or GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid and one of the "good fats " that is considered to be as necessary for your health as vitamins and is commonly lost through normal aging, dietary fat intake, and other effects.

Recommended Dosage:
Take one (1) to two (2) capsules, one (1) time each day with water at mealtimes.

Contraindications:
The plant (but not the oil) contains small amounts of pyrrolizidine alkaloids that may cause toxicity in the liver, and Borage should never be taken in large doses (many times the recommended amount) or for a long period of time.

And here's the link:

http://www.herbalextractsplus.com/borage.cfm

I'm going to look for some of these beautiful plants to edge my herb garden.

whats really neat about this plant is in july it will go to seed and die and the seeds will grow and by the end of august and first of september you have a bunch of new plants with flowers. thanks for all the info Jennifer F.

I like that.

You can put the flowers in a salad....here is a picture:
http://www.gather.com/viewImage.jsp?fileId=3096224743900445&memberId=32364