Borage

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Jupiter

Element: Air

Chakra Colour: Indigo

Medicinal Uses: Borage is primarily used for  nervous exhaustion and varying stages of adrenal depletion, with all its accompanying symptoms of depression, anxiety, inability to handle stress and general malaise. As the herb is cooling, it is particularly good for those with a generally hot constitution – those who tend to get head rushes when they stand up too fast, who generally do not allow themselves to express anger or frustration but for whom it tends to manifest quite strongly as a flushed face and high blood pressure. Borage is cooling and soothing but not trapping. Interestingly, it is generally used for those with a melancholic constitution although personally speaking I would not be inclined to use it for this particular constitution – the herb is cooling and moistening, and I really think it would need balancing by something temperate or even slightly warm and moist.

Borage can also be used for lung complaints, in particular hot, dry, inflamed complaints such as bronchitis, chronic catarrh and related problems. This is another interesting one because I’ve noticed a connection between an inability to express anger and negative emotions and repeated, deep seated chest infections.

It can also be used to treat a few women’s issues, ranging from postpartum exhaustion to menopausal hot flushes. It can also be used to increase milk production in nursing mothers.

As a mild diuretic, the plant is also sometimes used in the treatment of inflamed, hot urinary tract infections such as cystitis and nephritis.

The cooling, soothing properties of borage can also be of benefit in inflamed gastric conditions such as colitis, gastritis and gastric ulceration – I’m willing to bet especially where this is due to stress and anxiety. It is also a mild laxative and can be used to treat mild constipation – again, probably where this is in part due to anxiety and tension.

Magical Uses:  Borage is used in spells and incenses to bring courage and strength of character, and to bring hope and lift the spirits in dark and difficult times. The herb is associated with the hierophant card in the tarot. I’d probably be inclined to use it in spells for strength of purpose as well. A tea of the herb can encourage psychic powers.

Other Names: Bugloss, Burrage, Herb of Gladness, Star Flower, Borak, Lisan Selvi, Lesan-El-Tour.

Contraindications: Do not use if you are using medications for the liver, anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.

 

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