Borage Tea

The benefits of borage tea were first known in Europe and since then this herbal tea has earned good reviews around the world. It is a common plant that easily grows in most European and Mediterranean countries. The plant is known for its ability to grow as a weed in junkyards and wastelands. Before we move on to the benefits, let us first know a bit more in detail about the herb.

Characteristics of the Herb

Borage herb has many white, stiff and prickly hair covering the leaves and stems of the whole plant. Thus, before handling the herb, you need to wear gloves to avoid the prickly hair. The plant is about two feet in height and has bloom star-shaped flowers that are bluish and purplish in color during the summer months. There are many common names for this plant such as:

• Bee Bread
• Bee Plant
• Borage
• Burage
• Cool Tankard
• Langue de Boeuf
• Ox-tongue
• Star Flower
• Tailwort

It is often grown in gardens and eaten as a vegetable or used as a garnish or salad. It has active constituents that make it a very useful medicinal herb. It contains choline, beta-carotene, mucilage, gamma-linoleic acid, fiber and some trace minerals. The leaves are known for their high vitamin C content and are richness in calcium, potassium and certain minerals. The plant tastes like cucumber and is used to treat many health problems.

Medicinal Uses

Borage is used to treat many health problems like nervous heat, depression, digestive problems and even helps in strengthening metabolism. The plant contains mucilage that acts as a demulcent and is useful for treating many kinds of respiratory problems. The leaves are known to have diuretic properties and its flowers are known to encourage perspiration. The seed oil is rich in polyunsaturated fats and is used to treat premenstrual symptoms, eczema and rheumatic problems. It is used to relieve stress and endow courage and confidence in a person. It helps in getting relief from grief and sadness, and helps in treating long-term depression in people.

The benefits include:

• Healing wounds
• Calming effects
• Cough
• Depression
• Detoxifying properties
• Reducing fever
• Furuncle
• Heart trouble
• Reduces Inflammation
• Melancholy
• Menstrual problems
• Mucus dissolvent
• Nervous heart problems
• Nervousness
• Rashes
• Rheumatism
• Insomnia
• Sudorific properties
• Heart weakness

Recipe

Borage tea can be made from chopped leaves and flowers. You need to add chopped ¼ cup of dried leaves and flowers in a mug. Then pour boiling water over the leaves and fill the entire mug. Let the leaves and water infuse for 10 minutes. Strain the concoction and add honey if desired. Your tea is ready to be served.

Uses

The tea is known for its use in alleviating melancholy, depression and fatigue. There are many benefits that include the following:

• It is good for reducing throat irritation, dry cough, bronchitis, asthma and cold symptoms.
• Irritable bowel syndrome and gastritis can also be treated with this tea.
• It alleviates fever and has soothing effect on people suffering from grief, depression and melancholy.
• Many urinary tract disorders are treated by drinking this tea.
• You can gain considerable relief from arthritis and rheumatism symptoms.
• It can be applied topically to treat body rashes and boils.
• The tea serves as a good body cleansing and detoxifying agent.

Side Effects

When the tea or herb is taken in improper dosages, it may lead to mild to serious side effects. These side effects may include nausea, upset stomach and dark urine. When taken with other herbs, vitamins or medications, borage may interact with these supplements and cause side effects. People with epilepsy should use it with caution. Its seeds contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can cause liver damage, that may cause yellowing of skin and eyes. In some people, it may induce allergies like tightness of chest, itchy skin, hives, skin rash and difficulty in breathing. Allergic reactions may also cause swelling of the face, tongue and lips. Pregnant and nursing women need to totally avoid it to prevent risk to the fetus and inducing preterm labor. It is not recommended for breast-fed infants.

Borage tea is great to relieve stress and to make you fall asleep. However, if you experience restlessness and are unable to sleep, stop taking it.