Borage

Is an herbal tea brewed from the leaves and stem of the borage plant, an annual herb that bears the scientific name Borago officinalis.  ^[1]This same plant is also commonly known as starflower, and its extract and its oilseed is the primary reason for its cultivation in recent decades. That being said, borage tea is still used for medicinal purposes, as it has a wide range of antioxidants and active ingredients, ranging from beta-carotene, gamma-linoleic acid and choline to vitamin C, potassium and iron.

The plant’s leaves are covered in irritating spines, so the leaves must always be boiled before being used, which lends itself naturally to being made into a tea! ^[2]

This tea is best when used for short periods of time since an excessive amount of this tea can cause some toxicity from certain alkaloids present in the leaves.

Borage Tea Benefits

Borage tea has an impressive list of health benefits which include:

• Relieving stress
• Fighting insomnia
• Reducing inflammation
• Alleviating symptoms of arthritis
• Normalizing hormone levels
• Detoxifying the body
• Boosting immunity
• Reducing fever and soothing cough
• Alleviating menstrual cramps

The primary benefits of borage tea include its ability to detoxify the body and reduce stress, while also balancing hormonal levels. The high concentration of vitamin C means that it is good for the immune system, and can also reduce unnecessary inflammation throughout the body, thus lowering your risk of developing chronic diseases. Some people use this tea to lower fever and also speed the healing process. ^[3]

For women’s health, using this tea in moderation may ease menstrual discomfort. It can also affect the hormones that affect our sleep patterns, thus helping to alleviate insomnia. With the various antioxidants present in this tea, it is also associated with lower levels of oxidative stress and a reduced risk of various health conditions. ^[4]

How to Make Borage Tea

You can make borage tea very easily at home. Follow the simple instructions given below to make this herbal infusion at home.

Caution

• Complications of pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Skin inflammation and rashes
• Excess consumption of this tea can be dangerous for the liver ^[7]