borage

Botanical description of borage

Borage is part of the family Boraginaceae. It has a thick cylindrical rod.

It measures an average between 20 and 60 centimeters high. It is found everywhere on the European continent. Its flowers are generally bright blue, but they can sometimes be white or pink. They are composed of five petals, five sepals and five stamens with anthers black beams and bloom from March to April (Mediterranean climate) and June to August (temperate climate).

 

The composition of borage

Borage oil is obtained by cold pressure of the seeds. We also used the leaves and flowers of borage in herbal medicine.

ACTIVE

Seeds (oil) polyunsaturated fatty acids (gamma-linolenic acid, linoleic acid)

Aerial parts: pyrrolizidine alkaloids, mucilage, tannins and potassium, anthocyanins (delphinidin, cyanidin), flavonols (kaempferol, quercetin), allantoin

Use and dosage of borage

borage uses

Borage oil is used directly on the skin (external use), in capsules or capsules. The aerial parts of the plant are generally used in herbal tea or infusions.

- In case of rheumatoid arthritis, it is advised to take a daily basis, between 6 and 12 grams of borage oil.

- For the cough, it is recommended to drink an infusion or tisane of borage 4-5 times / day (20 g / liter).

- For the common cold and rhinitis, it is necessary to increase the concentration and use in fumigation.

Precautions borage

The aerial parts of the borage contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids toxic to the liver. So be careful and consult a physician prior to ingest or apply a poultice on the skin.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

The aerial parts of the borage are not recommended for pregnant or nursing women, and persons with liver disease, because of their content of pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can be toxic. Borage oil, not containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids, has no known contraindications against.

BORAGE SIDE EFFECTS

The ingesting excessive amounts of borage oil can cause bloating or loose stools. In contrast, ingestion of the aerial parts of borage may cause a transient constipation. Do not use the aerial parts of the borage in case of illness or liver treatment or interact with drugs with hepatotoxic action.

INTERACTIONS WITH HERBS OR SUPPLEMENTS

Borage oil + evening primrose oil: Dry skin.

Borage Oil + Burdock: eczema.

Borage oil + wheatgerm + wolfberry: skin aging, wrinkles.

Borage Oil + carrot: preparing the skin for tanning.

Borage oil + oats: eczema, psoriasis.

Borage oil + brewer's yeast + nettle leaves: dull or brittle nails.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

It is not recommended to use the aerial parts of the borage along most hepatotoxic drugs with any action, such as acetaminophen, lovastatin, fluconazole, erythromycin, amiodarone, itraconazole, the carbamazepine, isoniazid, phenytoin, pravastatin, simvastatin, among others. If you take any of these medications, consult your doctor to determine if you can use borage, and in what quantities.

Medical advice

BENEFITS OF BORAGE

Borage oil, due to its content of essential fatty acids, is excellent for maintaining a young and beautiful skin. It also helps eliminate or reduce wrinkles and stretch marks.

 It is very effective in cases of dry skin or skin diseases (eczema, herpes, psoriasis). The aerial parts are mainly diuretics and sweat and are effective for treating coughs and colds.

WARNING

If the use of borage oil presents no major risk, with the exception of a few minor annoyances, if ingested in large quantities (loose stools, bloating, belching), there is no even for shoots. They contain, in effect, potentially toxic alkaloids liver (pyrrolizidine alkaloids). It is best to seek medical advice.

Research borage

In recent years, many scientists have worked on the capabilities of borage to relieve some pain and inconvenience associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Conclusive results were obtained, showing the effectiveness of borage oil. Joint pain and morning stiffness and swelling of joints could be significantly reduced thanks to its high content of gamma-linolenic acids.

Research on severe cases of eczema do not have, meanwhile, been conclusive, borage bringing no better than other fatty substances. By cons, for lighter cases, good results in redness and itching were recorded.

Other borage oil studies were also conducted to determine its ability to treat gum inflammation, in case of periodontitis, and to know its influence on seborrheic seborrheic.