Borago officinalis also known as Starflower is a beautiful flowering plant that grows in the wild in the Mediterranean.
Contents
Uses
It is cultivated and used widely throughout Europe for its healing properties and for a nice addition to a salad. Borage is also cultivated in the US, where it is more popular as an herbal supplement rather than a food product. The leaves are robust and have medicinal properties and the topper of the plant is a striking blue star shaped flower hence the name. The flowers are edible as well and are often found candied for cake decorations or made into sweet syrups. In Italy it is served as a side dish much like a serving of vegetables.
Benefits
Source of essential fatty acids
There are multiple health benefits one can get from taking borage as a herbal supplement. One of the most important nutrients in borage is essential fatty acids, something our body needs for good health. Essential fatty acids must be ingested from diet. An essential fatty acid deficiency can directly affect mood, internal inflammation and various cellular functions. In order for metabolic processes such as cardiovascular functions to work properly, they depend on the proper levels of essential fatty acids in the body. EFA’s also improve hair and nail growth and appearance. Specifically, borage has very high levels of GLA, gamma linolenic acid, an important essential fatty acid. Borage is often used to boost GLA deficiencies in children as well to ensure proper growth.
Nutrients
Borage is also packed with other healthy nutrients that are great for the body. Borage is a good herbal supplement for women because it contains high levels of calcium and iron, nutrients many women are deficient in. Potassium, Zinc, Band C vitamins, and beta carotene are packed into the borage plant making it very nutritional.
Calms body and mind
The adrenal glands in our body work very hard all day to prepare our body for fight or flight situations, constantly releasing adrenalin into the body. Adrenal fatigue can occur when the body is overstressed. Borage is used to restore the adrenal glands to their natural balance, which in turn creates a calmer body and mind.
Natural sedative
Borage is well known for its soothing qualities and has been used to treat nervous conditions. Its natural sedative effects have been used for lifting the spirits and softening the nervous edge some people experience. Borage works well to ease the depression and mood swings often associated with menopause and menstrual cycles as well and is a nice alternative to traditional prescription medications.
Anti-inflammatory
There are many current ongoing studies involving the health benefits of borage. Borage is currently being researched as a possible treatment for rheumatoid arthritis because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Because of research like this, borage is now known to reduce itch and dryness associated with certain skin disorders such as eczema and dermatitis.
Cautions
The herb contains certain compounds in it which when taken in large quantities may affect kidney functions (possible diuretic effect). (Medical disclaimer).
Interactions
No interactions are known. Please consult your pharmacist.
Other names
Borage, Starflower
References
Source: Herbwisdom, http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-borage.html
Nutrition-and-you, http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/borage.html
Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borage