Isn’t it bad when you go to the doctor and he prescribes that list of medicines you can only find in pharmacies? Thankfully, there are plants with countless health benefits that help fight and prevent a number of diseases.
An exemplary case of medicinal plants is borage. If you’ve never heard this name, you might know it by others like: borage, rubber, chimarrona rubber, borage or even sooty. This herb is known for its multiple features, as it helps to treat and prevent diseases of the human body.
Index
plant history
Originated in Europe and North Africa, borage received its name for its formerly defined uses. In the language of the Celts, borrach means courage and the plant was known for its ability to ward off sadness and melancholy.
In the Middle Ages, it was not only used as a plant related to temperaments, but also as a medicinal herb and to make beverages.
Borage Properties
This plant is multifunctional, as it has several properties in its composition that help in the recovery of trauma and the prevention of diseases in human beings. Rich in omega-6, borage has an anti-inflammatory action. Besides being astringent, diuretic, expectorant and laxative.
Other properties are:
- Flu – Improves the body’s conditioning in the flu or cold and reduces symptoms such as cough, phlegm, sore throat. Going deeper, it is also indicated to alleviate lung problems, bronchitis and fever.
- Depurative – Ability to clear problems in the cardiovascular system, in addition to reducing difficulties related to the liver and kidneys.
- Emollient – Ability to soothe tissues, ideal to help de-inflammation and minimize swelling.
Indications
Borage has the ability to alleviate a number of diseases. In addition to those already mentioned, the plant keeps for itself a huge list of problems that can be cured with the use of the herb. Are they:
- Hepatical cirrhosis
- Diabetes
- Eczema
- edema
- Emphysema
- Scarlet fever
- Drop
- Herpes
- Lithiasis
- Nephritis
- oliguria
- Rheumatism
- Varicella
- Vesicle
As the meaning of the name already suggests, borage acts in the treatment of depression, childhood hyperactivity, nervousness and premenstrual tension. In addition to being a good option to alleviate cases of urinary problems, such as bladder and urinary tract catarrh, bladder burning and kidney inflammation.
In view of all these qualities, the plant is still used to relieve tumors, against premature aging, for skin blemishes and is a great ally for women who have brittle nails.
borage tea
In a liter of boiling water, place 20 g of each of the following herbs: borage, watercress, dandelion, smoke, wild chicory, chervil. Wait a few minutes and strain. If you prefer, you can sweeten it and drink three or four cups of tea a day.
For rheumatism, use a liter of water with 10 g of dried borage leaves and boil for half an hour. Then filter, if you prefer, sweeten and drink three to four cups a day.
Contraindications
Some studies demonstrate that borage has in its composition the so-called alkaloids, toxic substances found in the leaves of the plant.
For this reason, the continuous use of the plant is not advisable, as it is toxic to the liver and may develop some type of cancer.
To maintain the care and still enjoy the benefit of this plant, it is necessary to wash the leaves or flowers well when using them and always strain the drinks before ingesting them.
Always use medicinal plants with medical support!
