MEDICINAL PLANTS

Annual herbaceous plant which gives its name to an entire family, the borragináceas It boasts most of them large amount of hair. Borage, could not be less-is covered with long hairs and stout, giving them a rough appearance generally. Grown in favorable conditions may reach up to seven inches in height. The upper leaves have no petioles, unlike the lower ones, and connect with the stem as if they were embracing, are arranged alternately and its contour is elliptical. It grows easily in places not very dry, preferably in the lowlands, fallow and wastelands.

FLOWERING

It blooms early in the spring and keeps its flowers throughout the season, the flowers are usually blue but can also find white, fuzzy clusters are arranged in the cup divided into five petals that, when opened, they remind us of a starfish . The fruit is called tetraquenio therefore has four divisions that appear orange slices. Harvesting of flowers is done in the flowering season, coming after a quick dry, protected from light and well ventilated place. To gather the leaves (usually not used) would normally come in spring or just before the end of winter. Drying is similar to the flowers.

APPLICATIONS

As with all plants, as discussed in further new effects are discovered. In this case, pyrrolizidine alkaloids have been isolated are responsible for hepatotoxic action, so it is recommended not to use this plant on a continuous basis. It also contains mucilage neutral, rich in minerals, which gives some emollient and soothing anti-inflammatory action. For its part, the salts of potassium, calcium and silica give it a diuretic activity and sudorific. But the most important and characteristic of this plant is the oil extracted from seeds, rich in oleic acid, linoleic, gamma-linolenic and palmitic, which gives it a cholesterol-lowering effect that is being marketed lately. This oil is also used as antidisminorreico, regulator of the hormonal system and metabolism, so it is used for premenstrual syndrome and climacteric disorders. It is indicated in cases of colds, bronchitis, pharyngitis and respiratory tract infections in general for its anti-inflammatory and soothing; also used in any other disease likely to improve with increased diuresis.

ADMINISTRATION

Borage oil. It is in the form of soft gelatin capsules with 75 milligrams of oil, it can take 2 to 4 daily, after meals, due to its cholesterol-lowering effect.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Borraginaceas
HABITAT: Slopes and fallow in the country
FLOWERING: Spring
PART USED: Flowers, seeds and leaves.
CATALAN: Borratja
BASQUE: Borrai
GALICIAN: Borragem

USES

Balsamic Strong, Moderate inflammatory, Mild hormonal regulatory system.