BORAGE (Borago officinalis) is a garden herb native to Europe and North Africa. Its name is derived from the Arabic abu rashsh - father of sweat, because it was used in antiquity as a sudoriforic. In medieval times, borage leaves were a... *
Borage Leaf Tea "Borage Leaf Tea is the only thing that works for chest congestion for me. It may be hard on your liver if used in excess, but only a few cups of the hot tea relieves this problem." -- sev
* Please Note: This information is based partly on Traditional Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Description
BORAGE (Borago officinalis) is a garden herb native to Europe and North Africa. Its name is derived from the Arabic abu rashsh - father of sweat, because it was used in antiquity as a sudoriforic. In medieval times, borage leaves were a popular salad green, and wine spiked with borage was considered a remedy for melancholy.
The sweetish and mildly acrid flavored borage has often been prescribed for fevers, lung congestion, heart problems, and increasing mothers milk. It exhibits actions that are refrigerant, febrifuge, aperient, galactagogue, and pectoral. The biochemistry of this herb is the subject of some controversy where safety is concerned.
The herb contains active compounds such as pyrrolizidine alkaloid, including an intermedine, and their acetyl derivatives with amabiline and supinin, and choline. This group of alkaloids, and certain plants (some species of spring-harvested comfrey, groundsel and senecio species, coltsfoot) that contain them, are currently suspected as possible causes of liver toxicity and cancer.
Though used by traditional people around the world for thousands of years, borage is not the type of nutritive tonic herb that one would want to take regularly over a period of months. Rather, it is more of an occasional acute remedy for fevers and might be considered safe to use as a sole agent for no more than three to seven days maximum. Other ingredients include mucilage, tannin, traces of essential oil.
Borage is used for heart and lung congestion, fevers and to promote mother's milk. Its demulcent properties make it effective against ulcers both internal and external. The seeds, like evening primrose, have been found to be a rich source of gamma linolenic oil.
Pronounced to rhyme with "porridge," borage is also known as burrage. Borage grows wild in the Mediterranean countries. It once had a reputation for dispelling melancholy and giving courage, so the ancient Greeks combined it with their wine. It is also believed to have some calming effects helpful for treatment of nervous conditions, and the leaves are said to stimulate lactation in nursing mothers. Borage is thought good for reducing fever and restoring vitality during recovery from illness. Because it enhances perspiration, it is also credited with some antidotal effect against poisons. Astrologers place borage in Jupiter's realm and under the zodiac sign of Leo, the lion.
Plant Facts and Growing Tips
Plant: Annual. Borage is a spreading, branched plant covered with sharp, whitish bristles. The large leaves (up to 12 inches long) are oval or oblong. Blue flowers with dark anthers nod in leaf clusters at the tips of the stem. Borage is ideal planted in borders and in containers where its lovely flowers can be seen close up.
Height: 1 to 3 feet.
Soil: Dry somewhat poor.
Exposure: Sun or filtered shade.
Propagation: By seeds planted in spring during the first or second lunar phase. They germinate quickly. Borage self-seeds easily, and in mild climates can become a pest.
Care: The plants take up a lot of room. Because they have a taproot, they don't transplant well. They should be placed at least 1 foot apart or thinned. Planting them near tomatoes is said to control tomato worms.
Parts Used for Tea: Leaves, flowers.
Taste: Pleasant, cucumber-like. Some say it's cooling, others that it's spicy hot. Try it and judge for yourself.
How to Brew
By Infusion: 1 teaspoon dried leaves and/or flowers or, preferably, 3 teaspoons fresh herb gathered in the morning just after the dew is off the plants, when the oils are strongest. Crush the fresh herb with a clean cloth to help release aromatic oils. Add 1 cup boiling water and steep to taste.
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Directions
Hot tea brewing method: Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 tea bag for each cup into the teapot. Pour the boiling water into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 3-7 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea).
Iced tea brewing method (to make 1 liter/quart): Place 6 tea bags into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Pour 1 1/4 cups of freshly boiled water over the tea. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the bags. Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste. [A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to double the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water].
Additional Information
ZooScape is proud to be the exclusive distributor of TerraVita teas, herbs and supplements in the United States, Canada and around the world. Please direct all wholesale and bulk inquiries to Simona Heather at 905-494-1785.
Borage Leaf Tea is the only thing that works for chest congestion for me. It may be hard on your liver if used in excess, but only a few cups of the hot tea relieves this problem.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."
