Indian Borage
Other Names : Plectranthus amboinicus, Mexican Mint, country borage, French thyme, soup mint, Spanish thyme, Coleus amboinicus,, Thick leaf thyme, Broad leaf thyme, poor man pork or broad leaf thyme, broadleaf thyme, Cuban oregano, Mexican thyme, queen of herbs, three-in-one herb, allherb, mother of herbs, orielle, Jamaika-Thymian, पथरचुर pathorchur, patharcur, patta ajavayin, daun kutjing, ದೊಡ್ಡಪತ್ರೆ ಸೊಪ್ಪು doddapatre soppu, Saviara sambara, പനിക്കൂര്ക്ക panikkoorkka, ជីរស្លឹកក្រាស់, ជីរក្រអូប, ជីរត្រចៀកជ្រូក, bangun bangun, dacon ajenton, ରୁକୁଣା ହାତପୋଛା Rukuna Haatapochhaa, Hortelã-da-folha-grande, orégano de Cartagena, toronjil de limón, orégano brujo, orégano poleo, orégano macho, kryddkarlbergare, suganda, கற்பூரவள்ளி karpooravalli / karpuravalli, omavalli, pāsiole, kaloni, Torbangun, Sambrani Soppu, tần dầy lá, húng chanh, 到手香, 左手香, ରୁକୁଣା ହାତପୋଛା (rukuna haatapochhaa), కప్పరిల్లాకు kapparillaaku, vaamaaku, ದೊಡ್ಡಪತ್ರೆ ಸೊಪ್ಪು, doddapatre soppu, கற்பூரவள்ளி, karpooravalli, പനിക്കൂർക്ക panikoorka, Pudina, Podina
is a tender fleshy perennial plant in the family Lamiaceae with an oregano-like flavor and odor, native to Southern and Eastern Africa, from South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal) and Swaziland to Angola and Mozambique and north to Kenya and Tanzania. It is widely cultivated and naturalised elsewhere in the Old and New World tropics.
Special Precautions of Indian Borage
- The bristly leaves and stems may cause mild contact dermatitis to people with sensitive skin, but generally, there is no allergenic potential in Indian borage.
- Due to its potent mixture of compounds and chemicals, however, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are discouraged from using the herb.
Health Benefits and uses of Indian Borage are
- Respiratory Issues: If you are suffering from a cold, a sore throat, congestion, a stuffy nose, or painful sinuses, you can chew on the leaves of Indian borage or brew a tea from the leaves. The compounds contained in the herb act as a powerful expectorant to eliminate mucus and phlegm from your respiratory tracts and clear out your sinuses. This can also help to boost your immune system by preventing bacteria or other pathogens from lodging and developing in your tracts.
- Skin Health: One of the most popular uses of Indian borage is as an effective skin treatment. From bug bites and stings to eczema and psoriasis, Indian borage possesses the anti-inflammatory compounds that can quickly reduce redness and swelling, while also eliminating itchiness and irritation.
- Omega-6 Content: If you do choose to extract the essential oil from the leaves of Indian borage, the volatile compounds in that extract include omega-6 fatty acids, such as gamma-linoleic acid. This specific fatty acid has been linked to reducing arthritis by increasing joint regeneration; this can also be important for athletes or those with osteoporosis who have regular impact stress on their joints and bones.
- Vitamin C and A: The high content of ascorbic acid found in the herb makes it important as an immune system booster, while the carotenoids and vitamin A content can improve vision health, reducing oxidative stress in the eyes, and prevent macular degeneration.
- Kidney Health: Indian borage acts as a very effective diuretic, which means that it can clean the body of toxins by stimulating urination; this also reduces the amount of excess salt, fat, and water in the body, keeping the kidneys and lymphatic system functioning smoothly.
- Fever Reducer: If you are suffering from a cold or flu, one of the common symptoms is a fever. Typically, you don’t start getting better until your fever “breaks”, as a sign that your immune system is making some headway. Indian borage is a sudorific, meaning that it stimulates sweating, which also helps to clear out toxins through the skin and speed the recovery process.
- Stress and Anxiety: Although this is one of the lesser-known benefits of Indian borage, some of the organic compounds and minerals found in this herb have been shown to be mildly sedative in nature, so this herbal remedy, particularly in tea form, is often offered to people with high anxiety or chronic stress to induce relaxation, peace of mind, and healthy, restful sleep.
- Cancer Prevention: Indian borage has recently come back into the news because of research showing its positive effect on treating breast cancer; although the studies are still in progress, early reports show that the antioxidant capacity of this herb, as well as the omega-6 gamma-linoleic acids are effective in slowing the spread of breast cancer. The herb’s effect on prostatitis, one of the early indicators of prostate cancer, is also being studied.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome: In traditional use, Indian borage was commonly used to settle upset stomachs and relieve irritable bowel syndrome by regulating digestion and soothing stomach inflammation. Brewing tea from the leaves of Indian borage is the most effective way to take advantage of this health benefit.
