Borage:
1:1 Ethanol/distilled H2O Spagyric tincture of fresh organic Borago officinalis leaves and flower, with salt principle added.
Planetary rulers: Moon, Jupiter

Physical properties:
Soothing all round, yet underneath that soothing, invigoration. Borage is demulcent, encouraging hydration of dry tissues and the secretion of mucous, in the respiratory tract it is used to treat bronchitis, pleurisy, colds, dry coughs, asthma and flu – it is particularly beneficial during influenza as it can protect heat sensitive organs like the heart from the heat of fevers. Borage is a cooling plant so only use for colds that are hot head colds, where a one is ‘stuffed up’ and unable to move and clear thick, stiff mucous. Borage brings soothing qualities to the digestive tract, being curative for stomach and mouth ulcers, IBS, malabsorption, and its high mineral content may help with the healing of leaky gut.
Borage is renowned for ‘restoring courage to the heart’, it can ease cardiovascular complaints, particularly those caused by hyperthyroidism, or those of an inflamed nature. In the mind it can bring gentle euphoria and ease depression. Borage contains a high level of oils, including: glycerides, fatty acids with a high proportion of linoleum acid, oleic acid (an omega-9), up to 24% gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) and allantoin (useful for softening the skin by removing dead skin and excess keratin). The high oil content of Borage along with its demulcent (water encouraging) properties make it an excellent remedy for restoring the adrenals – being curative for ‘adrenal insufficiency’. The oils in Borage – particularly GLA, which is easily converted to DGLA by the other minerals and vitamins in the plant – have an affinity for the hypothalamus and pituitary endocrine glands, these glands are nourished and soothed by the plant, having their secretions stabilised. This endocrine regulation makes the plant beneficial for menopausal women (when the adrenals are having to produce oestrogen) and for postpartum women nursing infants – being stabilising for mood, and increasing milk production. Borage is also a nervine sedative, anti-diabetic, beneficial for ADHD, and has anti-inflammatory properties body-wide, being a valuable remedy for rheumatic arthritis.


Emotional Properties:
Borage has been famed throughout history for imbuing those who receive it with courage, Roman soldiers used to eat it before battle and maidens were said to slip it into the tea of a lover who was shying from proposing. The courage in Borage comes from clarity, a stillness this plant cultivates within you. As the adrenals are nourished the fight and flight response eases, one is no longer running away from the moment or running into it, one stands, grounded and firm. In standing still we can observe more clearly what is to be done or not done… courage can only be mustered for that which is essential or necessary. So, when, in standing still you can see what is necessary, then the courage becomes available. When there is nothing to be courageous for this strength of heart unfurls into exuberance! Borage seems to enable a lot of freedom within the body on all levels, so it is indicated for those who could just play a little more… much of the time seriousness arises from fear (a need for control), so naturally, as fear is alleviated and courage is instilled, the seriousness will lift also.
 
Contraindications:
Borage oil is contraindicated in subjects taking anticoagulants due to the gamma-lineolic acid contained in the seeds which can increase the clotting time.