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BORAGE

7/25/2019

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Picture
 Borage (Borago officinalis) is part of the Boraginaceae family, it is very common in Britain. It is possible to make a tincture from the leaves and flowers. Its distinctive blue star shaped flowers (see photograph above) are part of the British summertime and are used to garnish the traditional English recreational beverage known as Pimm’s.


Constituents: 


The flowers and leaves contain mucilage, tannin, saponins, essential oil, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, potassium, calcium, Vitamin C, volatile oil.


Properties:


Quality – Guna – Light, unctuous
Taste – Rasa – Astringent, sweet, salty, bitter
Post digestive effect – Vipak – Sweet
Potency – Virya – Cooling
Doshic signature – Reduces Pitta & Kapha. Increases Vata
Channels – Srotas – Rakta (circulatory), shukra (reproductive), mutra (urinary), prana (respiratory), majja (nervous), stanya (lactation).


Actions:


Artavashamana – regulates menstruation
Brmhana – nourishing tonic, anabolic
Jivaniya – promotes energy
Jwaraghna – relieves fevers
Kasavasahara – relieves coughs & breathing problems
Medya – brain tonic, nervine
Medohara – regulates fat metabolism
Mutrala - diuretic
Rasayana - rejuvenative
Stanya – increases breast milk


Indications for internal use:


Tension, anxiety, convalescence, exhaustion, adrenal fatigue, depression, bronchitis, whooping cough, asthma, emphysema, catarrh, sore throat, dry cough, pleurisy, fevers, obesity, inflammatory skin problems, eczema, psoriasis, poor milk production, boils, skin rashes including chicken pox & measles, inflammatory arthritis, dysuria, urinary infections, oedema and hypertension.


Indications for external use:


Soothes irritated skin conditions, itching, bruising, sores, ulcers and wounds, insect bites, soothes inflamed, painful arthritic joints and tissues, gargle and cleansing mouthwash.


Dose for internal consumption: Tincture 2-4ml tds.
Precaution: None.
Safety: No known relevant herb/drug interactions.




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PLANTAIN

7/8/2019

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Picture
Plantain basking in the sun
PLANTAIN


Plantain comes from the family of Plantaginaceae and Plantago lanceolata is common to British countryside and gardens.


Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) leaf, is the seen in the illustration above, it can be easily distinguished by its distinctive lance like leaves. Its cousin Plantago major has broader leaves that are less pointed, but the actions of both plants are similar.

Constituents:
The leaves contain iridoids (aucubin, catapol), mucilage, phenols, flavonoids (apigenin, scutellarin, baicalein, nepetin, plantagoside), glycosides, tannins, silica, coumarins, vitamin C, potassium, calcium, saponins.


Ayurvedic Properties:
Quality – Guna – light, unctuous & soft
Taste – Rasa – Bitter and astringent
Post digestive effect – Vipak – Pungent
Potency – Virya – Cooling
Doshic signature – Reduces Pitta & Kapha. Increases Vata
Tissue affinity – Rakta (blood) & Rasa (plasma)
Channels – Srotas – Anna (digestive), Prana (respiratory), Mutra (urinary), Rakta (circulatory)

Ayurvedic Actions:
Jawaraghna – reduces fevers
Kasavasahara – relieves coughs and breathing problems
Kustthagna - alleviates skin conditions
Mutrala - diuretic
Raktapitta - curbs bleeding from excess Pitta
Raktashodana – purifies the blood
Ropana – heals wounds
Shirovirechana – clears congestion from the head
Stamphana – dries excessive secretions
Udaraprasamana – relieves allergies


Indications for internal use:
Diarrhoea, gastritis, colitis, GI infections, toxicity, fever, infections, colds, catarrh, allergies, hay fever, insect bites, coughs, bronchitis, chest infections, asthma, tonsillitis, sore throats, glue ear, ear infections, urinary tract infections, prostatitis, menorrhagia, wounds, inflammatory skin problems including acne and roseacea.


Indications for external use:
Astringent to stop bleeding, nosebleeds, anti-inflammatory for stings and insect bites, drawing remedy for infections such as boils and abscesses, infections in teeth and gums.


Dose orally: Tincture 2-4ml tds.
Precautions: Avoid in gastro-oesophageal reflux.
Safety: May decrease levels of Lithium and Carbamezepine. Avoid with Warfarin and other anticoagulants.


Picture
Preparing plaintain to make a tincture
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    Author:
    ​Dr. Colin Perry

    Traditional Doctor of Naturopathy, Master Herbalist and Podiatrist.

    TELEPHONE
    01481 822778 and
    ​make an appointment.

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