UPLIFT THE SPIRIT
EASES COUGHS AND COLDS
CALMS SKIN CONDITIONS
This darling blue-flowered
herb is a tonic for a saddened heart and adept at dispelling melancholy and
strengthening ones resolve. Both the
leaves and the flowers are known to stimulate the release of epinephrine, which
is the ‘courage’ hormone and therefore arms the body to handle stress.
Medicinal
«
Borage
seed oil is the home of gammalinolenic acid (GLA) and this acid can ease many
conditions including: eczema, irritable bowel issues, bloodflow, arthritis and
menopausal symptoms; not to mention, being helpful in diminishing the effects
of a hangover. The leaves can be consumed but in moderation.
«
For
depression and/or insomnia, borage can help relieve the mind… create a borage
infusion, this can be taken 3 times a day.
«
A
cold/cough can be eased by making a Borage Cough Syrup (see recipes)
Recipes
Borage
Infusion
1.
Add
1 tsp of dried borage or 2 tsp of fresh to a cup of boiled water.
2.
Steep
for ten minutes before straining.
3.
This
creates one serving/dose
Borage Cough Syrup
1.
Double
the recipe for a Borage Infusion and steep in a pint of boiled water for ten minutes.
2.
Add
in 2-4 teaspoons of honey or raw sugar and stir until syrupy.
3.
This
can be refrigerated for up to a week.
Lore & Tradition
«
According
to Pliny, the Roman historian, the ancient Romans used this herb to lift their
spirits and raise confidence.
«
To
aid in raising courage, crusaders drank ‘stirrup cups’ cotaining borage flowers
and leaves when they took on lengthy voyages.
«
To
ease skin conditions, juice a handful of borage leaves and dilute the juice
50:50 with warm water. This wash can
then be applied to the affected areas.
Magick
«
Borage
Tea made from the fresh flowers acts as an enhancement of psychic abilities.
«
Place
borage under your bed to aid astral travel in dreams
«
Flowers
and leaves can be dried and used in incense to help cleanse oneself of negative
thoughts or to encourage forgetfulness in traumatic situations.
«
Make
a floorwash from a combination of borage, periwinkle, rosemary and
forget-me-nots to bring harmony and balance to the home – Hoodoo.
«
Borage
incense is credited with the ability to dispel ill-humour and soothe a weary
soul – Shamanism.
«
Use
in blessing and warding practices; due to the soothing quality of borage, it
makes for a fantastic ingredient for reconcilliations and to promote peace.
«
Making
a gris-gris or ju-ju bag containing borage will help attract amiable companions
and good friends to the bearer.
