As the common name cucumber herb suggests for borage, it primarily finds use as a seasoning for cucumber salads in cooking. The Latin name Borago officinalis, on the other hand, suggests its use as a medicinal herb.
Occurrence and cultivation of borage
Borage is an annual plant. The dark, heavily hairy leaves and the initially pink, later blue flowers are striking. Borage is an annual plant. The dark, heavily hairy leaves and the initially pink, later blue flowers are conspicuous. These are often used in cooking: the leaves as a seasoning, for example for cucumber salad or herb spreads, the edible flowers as decoration. According to the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, the leaves contain substances that are harmful to the liver and should therefore not be consumed regularly or in large quantities. However, there is nothing to prevent occasional use as a seasoning herb. The leaves should always be used fresh and raw, as they lose much of their flavor when dried or cooked. They can be preserved by pickling in vinegar or oil. Borage reaches a growth height of up to 70 centimeters under favorable conditions. The plant originated in the Mediterranean region and spread throughout Europe through cultivation in medieval monastery gardens. As a rule, it is grown in gardens, but occasionally occurs in feral form.
Effect and application
Due to the health risks, medicinal use of the leaves is not recommended. However, this does not apply to the seeds and the oil extracted from them. These are harmless and available in a variety of preparation forms. The risks here, in addition to the possible damage to the liver, are the effect on blood clotting. This is intensified by the ingredients of borage. This side effect should be considered especially by people who take medication to reduce blood clotting. In case of doubt, a doctor should be consulted before prolonged use. Borage leaves are still used today as an expectorant cough tea. However, due to the described side effects, this should not be taken over a longer period of time. In herbal medicine, borage is described as having a diaphoretic and detoxifying effect. It was therefore used as a febrifuge and for detoxification. An anti-inflammatory effect is also described for borage, which is why it was also used to treat wounds or skin rashes. Isolated evidence of a positive effect on the skin condition of neurodermatitis can be found. For this purpose, the oil pressed from the seeds of the plant is used internally or externally. For internal use, various dosage forms are available. Borage seed oil is available as capsules or tablets. However, it can also simply be included in the daily diet and used, for example, as salad oil. When using tablets or capsules, the manufacturer’s dosage information should be followed; when using the oil in cooking, a dosage of 0.5-3 grams is considered effective. However, the effect is seen only after 4-12 weeks. A similar positive effect is also described for psoriasis. Externally, the use of borage oil can also bring relief in these skin diseases. For this purpose, the doctor usually prescribes an ointment, which is mixed in the pharmacy individually for the patient and his skin needs. In herbal medicine, borage is also described as having a calming effect. It was therefore often used as a mild sleep aid. It was also frequently used against melancholy in the past. In addition, the herb is said to have a heart-strengthening and blood pressure-lowering effect. It also has a positive effect on the metabolism and digestive organs. Externally, borage is used as a tea, tincture or ointment, for example, for inflammatory skin diseases or poorly healing wounds. For medicinal use in herbal medicine, a tea is often recommended. This is prepared from one to two teaspoons of the dried herb, which is poured over with boiling water. After 10 minutes of infusion, this is drunk hot in small sips. Three cups of this tea are drunk daily, but not longer than six weeks at a time.This reduces the side effects of borage on the one hand, but also prevents the body from becoming accustomed to the drug.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
Because of the health risks described above, borage has little use in medicine today. However, through its use in cooking, positive health aspects of the plant can occur incidentally. However, due to the increase in alternative forms of treatment, especially for skin diseases, its importance is expected to increase. Because both internal and external application is possible, the remedy can be used to meet various wishes and needs of patients. For short-term applications, self-collected herb can be used. For a longer course of treatment, ready-made preparations should be used. On the one hand, the active ingredient content of these is always relatively the same due to quality controls. On the other hand, as already described, these are made from the oil of the seeds and therefore do not contain any harmful substances. In the case of pre-existing health problems that could oppose treatment with the agent, a doctor should be consulted in advance in any case.
