Benefits of borage, medicinal uses, dosage, and side effects

Borage is also known as Mexican mint and in Ayurveda texts, this herb is mentioned for the treatment of headache, asthma, indigestion, cough, diarrhea, etc. It is one of the most beautiful plants and can be seen in everyone’s garden from ancient times up to now. This is an annual biennial plant which is aromatic and has soft and short erect hair. It has a wide range of use as a medicinal as well as culinary plant. In Ayurveda, it is also mentioned that it can treat intestinal worms.

Botanical name- Borago officinalis

Family- Labiate

Names in different languages

  • Hindi name- Patherchur, Patta ajwayin, Amroda, pathercheer
  • English name- Indian mint, Country borage, Indian borage
  • Kannada name- Sambrani, Dodda patre, Sambrani soppu
  • Tamil name- Kurpurvallai, Karpooravalli
  • Malayalam name- Panikoorka
  • Gujarati name- Ovapan
  • Marathi name- Pan ova
  • Telugu name- Suganda vallekam, Karuvacru, Karpoorvalli
  • Bengali name- Paterchur, Pathar choor,Amalkuchi
  • Japanese name- Kuuban oregano, Koreusu amboinikusu
  • Malay name- Daun Kambing (Indonesia), Daun kucing (Indonesia)
  • German name- Jamaican Thymian, Cubanischer oregano
  • French name- Plectrianthus aromatique, Coleus d’Afrique
  • Russian name- Plektrantus aromatryi
  • Chinese name- Zuo Shou Xiang
  • Vietnamese name- Tan day le
  • Spanish name- Oregano

Synonyms in the Sanskrit language

Chornika, Karpooravalli, Sugandhi, Parnika, Himasagar, Ashmari bheda

Morphological characteristics

It is a perennial plant that grows up to the height of 50 cm and possesses soft and short erect hair. Its leaves are heart-shaped and have scalloped edges. Its flowers are bluish-white in color and blooms in August. Its fruits can be seen in October.

Habitat

Borage is cultivated mainly all over India.

Categorization according to classical books

According to-

Priya Nighantu- Karpooradi varga

Chemical constituents present in it

Thymol, Carvacrol, camphor, oxalacetic acid, flavonoid, crisimaritin, and beta-sitosterol

Medicinal properties

  • Rasa (Taste)- Katu (Pungent) and Tikta (Bitter)
  • Guna (Qualities) – Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry), and Teekshna (Strong)
  • Vipaka- (Undergoes conversion taste after digestion)- Katu (Pungent)
  • Veerya (Potency)- Ushna (Hot)
  • Karma (Actions)- Kaphavata shamaka (balances vitiated Kapha and Vata dosha)

Medicinal uses

  1. Borage helps to treat indigestion and improves digestive fire
  2. Treats dyspepsia
  3. Works on intestinal worms
  4. Shows good results in IBS and renal calculus
  5. Treats cough as well as rhinitis
  6. Release irritation and pain due to centipedes

Therapeutic uses

Anxiety and stress

it consists of various minerals and chemical constituents that show a mild sedative effect on the body. This herb helps to manage chronic stress or anxiety by inducing relaxation, peace of mind, sleep, etc.

Arthritis

In Arthritis, it prevents joint degeneration and shows effective results in osteoporosis and athletes who have stress on the joints and bones. This useful herb shows these actions because of the volatile compounds that are present in it and rich in Omega-6 Fatty acids.

Kidney disorders

Borage works as a diuretic that increases the production of urine and also possesses detoxifier properties that remove body toxins by stimulating urination. It also reduces the accumulation of excess fat, salt, and water by improving kidney functioning.

Inflammatory bowel syndrome

In Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome, Borage works as an anti-inflammatory that soothes stomach inflammation and improves digestion.

Respiratory diseases

Being an expectorant eliminates the mucus and phlegm from the respiratory tract and clears the sinuses. Due to its immunomodulatory property, it boosts the immune system by preventing bacteria from developing in the respiratory passage and preventing infections.

Fever

Borage shows good results in a patient who is suffering from fever along with a cold. As an antipyretic, it lowers the fever and stimulates sweating which clears out the harmful toxins through the skin.

Skin infections

Borage possesses anti-inflammatory action on the skin and hence reduces swelling and redness quickly. Being a detoxifier, it eliminates toxins and thereby reduces itching and irritation on the skin.

Part used- Leaf

Dosage- 5 to 10 ml (Juice)

Side effects of Borage

There are no known side effects seen after using Borage. But slight burning sensation may feel after the intake of its juice so it should be used in the proper dosage after taking consultation with the doctor.

Conclusion

From this article, it is concluded that Borage is used to treat various ailments like anxiety, stress, kidney stones, respiratory disease, etc. It works as a great detoxifier, antipyretic, diuretic, and expectorant. Its leaves are a useful part and can be taken in the form of juice.

Some FAQs related to Borage

Ques: Can Borage treat kidney stones?

Yes, Borage can treat kidney stones because of the chemical constituents present in it that works as a diuretic and expels out calcium deposition through urine.

Ques: Does Borage reduce anxiety?

Yes, Borage can reduce anxiety because the minerals present in it shows a sedative effect on the body and calms the mind and body.

Ques: What part of Borage is useful?

Leaf of the Borage is useful.

Ques: What are the side effects of Borage?

These are no known side effects seen in Borage. But slight burning sensation may be felt after drinking its juice so, it should be used in proper dosage after taking a doctor’s consultation.

Ques: How does Borage work in respiratory disorders?

In respiratory disorders, Borage works as an expectorant that expels out the thick mucus from respiratory airways.

Note: Our purpose is to serve useful information related to Kala Borages benefits, dosage, and other properties. It is advised to the patients not to consume it on the basis of this information. Before taking this as a medicine it is better to have an expert opinion because dosage and treatment vary from patient to patient depending on their symptoms and medical history.

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