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Writer's pictureLisa Roy

Borage trivia and folklore


Common names are starflower, burrage, common bugloss, bee plant, beebread. Needless to say, it will attract bees to your gardens.


There are four varieties: Common, Variegated, Alba, and Creeping


“Herb of Gladness” comes from welsh “llanwenslys” has been used to lighten one’s spirits and to give courage. When soldiers left to fight the crusades, their last drink of wine before departing was flavored with borage; an ancient Greek proverb is “I, Borage, always bring courage”. Ancient Celtic warriors also drank a borage flavored wine when preparing for battle.


When used in a tea is believed to enhance psychic abilities.


Borage has anti-inflammatory properties, and has been used to treat asthma, Rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis, as a sedative, and to dilate blood vessels, as well as to manage seizures (but high doses can cause seizures). Today it is generally applied to the hair and skin but is available in supplements.

 

This article is not meant to diagnose or treat an illness. It is meant for educational purposes. Herbs are natural, but they are medicine. They must be treated with respect. Herbs can have interactions with medications, foods you eat, and even other herbs.

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