Difference between revisions of "Borage"

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(Benefits and uses of Borage are)
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[[File:Borage.jpg|thumb|350px|left|Borage]]
 
Other Names: Bee Plant, Beebread, Borage Flower, Borage Leaf, Borage Oil, Borage Seed Oil, Borago, Borago officinalis, Borraja, Bourrache, Bourrache Commune, Burage, Burrage, Common Borage, Common Bugloss, Cool Tankard, Feuille de Bourrache, Fleur de Bourrache, Huile de Bourrache, Huile de Graines de Bourrache, Langue de Bœuf, Ox's Tongue, Pain-des-Abeilles, Talewort, Starflower, Starflower Oil.<br>Borage is a plant. Its flowers and leaves, as well as the oil from its seeds are used as medicine.
 
Other Names: Bee Plant, Beebread, Borage Flower, Borage Leaf, Borage Oil, Borage Seed Oil, Borago, Borago officinalis, Borraja, Bourrache, Bourrache Commune, Burage, Burrage, Common Borage, Common Bugloss, Cool Tankard, Feuille de Bourrache, Fleur de Bourrache, Huile de Bourrache, Huile de Graines de Bourrache, Langue de Bœuf, Ox's Tongue, Pain-des-Abeilles, Talewort, Starflower, Starflower Oil.<br>Borage is a plant. Its flowers and leaves, as well as the oil from its seeds are used as medicine.
 
==Special Precautions of Borage==
 
==Special Precautions of Borage==

Revision as of 08:40, 9 August 2014

Other Names: Bee Plant, Beebread, Borage Flower, Borage Leaf, Borage Oil, Borage Seed Oil, Borago, Borago officinalis, Borraja, Bourrache, Bourrache Commune, Burage, Burrage, Common Borage, Common Bugloss, Cool Tankard, Feuille de Bourrache, Fleur de Bourrache, Huile de Bourrache, Huile de Graines de Bourrache, Langue de Bœuf, Ox's Tongue, Pain-des-Abeilles, Talewort, Starflower, Starflower Oil.
Borage is a plant. Its flowers and leaves, as well as the oil from its seeds are used as medicine.

Special Precautions of Borage

  • Borage seed oil is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults and children as long as it is free of dangerous chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). Borage plant parts including the leaf, flower, and seed can contain PAs. PAs can damage the liver or cause cancer, especially when used in high doses or for a long time. Only use products that are certified and labeled PA-free.
  • Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It’s important to avoid borage products that might contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). PAs are a risk to the mother because they can cause serious liver disease and might cause cancer. PAs are also a risk to the infant because they might cause birth defects and they can pass into breast milk. Researchers aren’t even sure if borage products that are certified PA-free are safe during pregnancy and breast-feeding. It’s best to stay safe and avoid using borage.
  • Bleeding disorders: There is some concern that borage seed oil might prolong bleeding time and increase the risk of bruising and bleeding. If you have a bleeding disorder, use borage with caution.
  • Liver disease: Borage products containing hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) might make liver disease worse.
  • Surgery: Borage might increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Stop taking borage at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
  • Medications that increase the break down of other medications by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inducers) interacts with BORAGE
  • Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with BORAGE
  • Medications used during surgery (Anesthesia) interacts with BORAGE

Benefits and uses of Borage are

Borage seed oil contains a fatty acid called gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). GLA seems to have anti-inflammatory effects. Borage flower might have an antioxidant effect.

  • Improving symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) when used with other medications that reduce pain and swelling (anti-inflammatory medications). There is some evidence that taking borage seed oil in combination with conventional painkilling or anti-inflammatory medications might help decrease symptoms of RA after six weeks of treatment. The improvement appears to last for up to 24 weeks. Improvement is measured as a decrease in the number and severity of tender and swollen joints.
  • Improving the function of the lungs in critically ill patients. There is some evidence that borage seed oil, when taken in combination with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), might reduce the number of days spent in the intensive care unit (ICU) and the length of time a breathing machine is needed by patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
  • Improving growth and development in premature infants. Infant formula supplemented with fatty acids from borage oil and fish oils seems to improve growth and development of the nervous system in infants born early, especially boys.
  • Borage oil also contains tannin anti-oxidants that protect the brain and neurons from oxidative stress. The combination of GLA and tannin anti-oxidants improves blood supply into the brain which provides more oxygen and nutrition into this vital structure.

References