The Borage

, in addition to being an excellent vegetable , also stands out for its rich in essential fatty acids (AGE ). Are essential in the metabolism because they are considered necessary for proper production prostglandinas (precursors of hormones capable of regulating many functions of our body) and the proper functioning of the cells of the body or brain . Borage oil contains essential omega-6. Among these, mainly between 36-38% of linoleic acid and a 18-25% of gamma-linolenic acid (AGL). The first is easier to get since you can get a variety of plant sources like nuts, which are plant foods that have more, avocados, soybean oil, sunflower, corn, almonds, peanuts, etc. . The second type of essential oil does not appear in significant amounts in any food except that it is in the borage oil, or seed of Onagra of blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum ) .

The Borage is rich in vitamins, minerals, with little calories and zero cholesterol , is a plant with medicinal properties since ancient cited by multiple authors : Hippocrates, Galen, Dioscorides, and so on. Linnaeus named in the work of a plant shop. Among its traditional uses are cited as the laxativa, diuretic, emollient, febrífuga, antispasmodic, sudorific, cleansing and stimulating.

Botany

Scientific Name : Borago officinalis L .
Family : Boragináceas
Distribution : Mediterranean Region.
Habitat : fields and edges of roads. Where abundant organic debris.
Flowering Period (approx) : February-June
Description : hispida annuals up to a meter in height. The basal leaves are ovate and petiolated while the above auricles and are seated, that is shaped ear. The flowers are blue-violet and in them, the stamens are grouped to form a horn-shaped structure characteristic of this species.
Collection and preservation of Borage : The leaves are collected when the plant begins to drop leaves in late winter or early spring. Flowers all summer long. Both should be dried in the shade and stored in a dry place.

Composition

Mucilage neutral (30%)
tannins (3%)
Silicic acid (up 2.2%)
Vitamin C (0.04%) Organic Acids
< BR> Allantoin

Sugars Essential oil
flavonoids (kaempferol and quercetol)
pirrolizidínicos Alkaloids (consuelda more)
Nitrates (potassium nitrate)
mineral substances (17%)

uses traditional

Emollient (due to its mucilage content)
Expectorant
Astringent (on the skin)
Antiinflammatory
antiparasitic (borage juice)
diuretic (discrete effect) < BR>
general cleansing sudorific (flowers)

medicinal use

Infusion: bring to boil one to three cups of water. When you start the boil off and put three heaping spoonfuls, stir and cover. Let stand at least 5 minutes. Strain and drink with honey
mother tincture : take 30 drops three times daily
fluid extract: to 3 g per day
Borage oil: are in the form of beads, often in conjunction with Evening primrose oil and enriched with vitamin E. They are very wise to have a healthy skin and combat wrinkles. It is also recommended in cases of bronchitis. The dosage will depend on the amount of oil it contains, is preferable to consult the specialist and the indications of the manufacturer's leaflet.
Trivia: Most specialists believe that borage is a native of northern Africa. This species, known from antiquity, was used by Greeks and Romans. The ancient medical phytotherapeutic recommended as flowers and as depurative sudorific. Is grown and is highly prized in France and Italy, while in Spain, is a very popular dish in Aragon and Navarra.
Among the most important constituent of this plant are a significant amount of provitamin A and Vitamin C (100 grams will cover more than half the recommended intake of vitamin), and mineral salts, potassium nitrate is the most abundant and the main activity of its diuretic, cardiac tonic and sudorific. It also contains mucilages that confer emollient properties, anti-inflammatory and anti- which is used to treat infections of the upper respiratory tract.

History

The word "borage" comes from the Arabic word Abou rach which means "father of sweat". other authors argue that the name came from Latin Borrago cor (heart) and ago (bring it) due to its cordial. Dioscorides says that: The Buglossa born in plains and sandy places, and get in the month of Iulia: the qual (dizen seconds) is useful for tremor paroxysmales in this way ". Furthermore Andrés de Laguna says "The Buglossa, although we note their description, is nothing else but that which we call commonly in Borage Castilla. Borage is mildly hot and humida: Large and in efficacia purge melancholic humor, fortify the virtue of life, and brighten the mood afflicto and troubled ". Culpeper says the following with respect to this plant: "... the dry plant was never used, but fresh, and their ashes or plant boiled with water and honey, can be used to treat ulcers of the mouth or throat, as a gargle. With the leaves or seeds of this plant can be directed towards the belly in direction. If you want to manage upwards, is placed in the crown of the head, and if you want to manage down in the soles of the feet, but if we keep it in place, will apply on the navel. "

Using food

• The leaves can be eaten boiled as a vegetable, either alone or mixed with other vegetables. In this case it is advisable to drink the broth, which contains all the properties mentioned above. the same leaves can be eaten raw in salads, fried, sauteed, etc with cheese. (It should not leave the cut leaves a lot of time, since they decompose easily.)
• The flowers can be eaten raw in salads, so that these become an exotic touch.