Cucumber grass is a storehouse of healing substances. Borago borage

Cucumber herb borage (borage)- decorative, as well as a salad plant, a representative of the Burachnikov family. Cucumber grass is common throughout Europe, most often mistaken for a common weed. The grass has a straight stem, the leaves are blunt, green in color, covered with whitish stiff hairs (see photo). Borago has blue flowers, the grass blooms in June-July and is an excellent honey plant.

The homeland of the plant is Southwestern Europe. Countries that have developed beekeeping, grow borage as a honey plant, this is primarily England and France.

Landing and care

Cucumber grass is not difficult to grow, as it is an unpretentious plant. All care for him comes down to regular watering, although even this is not necessary.

The borage propagates with the help of seeds. Borago should be planted in April-May in an open area in a sunny place, since borage grows especially well there. The plant tolerates drought very well.

Beneficial features

Useful properties of borage are known to folk medicine. The plant is rich in minerals that positively affect the composition of the blood, strengthen the cardiovascular system. Borage leaves are rich in calcium and potassium, which are essential for the nervous system. The plant contains resinous substances, carotene, vitamin C, malic and citric acid, up to 32% oil.

Borage oil when taken orally under
maintains the immune system, normalizes metabolic processes, improves the emotional state, as they increase the production of hormones of joy. Borago contains plant hormones, normalizes the function of the adrenal glands, this property is especially valuable after taking steroid hormones. The oil helps to heal wounds, it is an effective remedy for gastritis, gastric ulcer, improves blood circulation. Thanks to the content of gamma-linolenic acid, the herb contributes to the balance of estrogen and progesterone.

In cosmetology, borage oil is used to care for problematic, sensitive skin. Oil increases the skin's ability to retain water, making it supple. In body cosmetics, oil is used in anti-cellulite creams and creams to eliminate stretch marks. This oil holds the record for the content of gamma-linolenic acid - 25%. This acid is an effective component of anti-aging products, it helps fight premature aging, removes dryness and flabbiness of the skin.

The leaves of this herb have a diaphoretic and diuretic effect. The flowers of the plant contain a small amount of essential oil. Almost all parts of borage are used in folk medicine, they are used to treat internal inflammation.

The calorie content of borage is 20 kilocalories per 100 grams. The leaves of the plant cover 88% of the body's daily requirement for vitamin A, and the leaves are also rich in vitamin C (about 55% of the daily requirement), contain calcium and iron, respectively 10 and 20 percent of the norm.

Borage is used to make tonic drinks. For this purpose, a freshly cut plant or dried borage flowers can be used. Fresh borage leaves are ground with a meat grinder and then filtered. The resulting juice is taken half a cup 2-3 times a day. Tonic tea is prepared from the fruits of hawthorn, borage herb, oregano, tartar. All ingredients are taken in 1 teaspoon, the herbal mixture is poured with boiling water and allowed to brew for one night. Tonic tea is recommended for people prone to depression, 0.1 liter twice a day.

Application in cooking

In cooking, the plant has found widespread use in American cuisine. For gastronomic purposes, borage leaves, sometimes dried flowers, are used. Borage is used as a spicy plant. Grass leaves are added to a variety of salads, most often combined with cucumbers, spinach, onions, leafy salads.

Flowers are used as a natural flavoring for fruit soft drinks, punch. Drinks with the addition of borage are very fresh in taste, have a slight aftertaste of cucumber. Dried blue borage flowers make an independent dish, candied flowers are used as a dessert. Freshly cut flowers are mixed with whipped protein and powdered sugar, then lightly dried. Cucumber grass flowers are added to bakery products, and are also used in confectionery. In addition to using candied technology, the flowers are also aged in wine. Borage flowers decorate cocktails before serving. Borage flowers due to their taste are widely used in the preparation of alcoholic beverages.

The aroma of fresh borage leaves vaguely resembles the smell of fresh cucumber, as evidenced by one of its names. Cucumber grass is added to various dishes, it goes well with fried fish, as well as minced meat. The taste of borage is very pleasant, its leaves are salty, slightly reminiscent of the taste of sweet onions. The ground plant is added instead of seasoning to meat dishes, sauces, fish and vegetable dishes.

In Italy, borage is used as a filling for ravioli. The leaves are added to butter, thus making an appetizing sandwich mix. Borago goes well with such aromatic herbs as mint, thyme. The herb is included in natural mixtures of seasonings, where garlic and parsley are also added.

For eating, young borage leaves must be thoroughly washed and cut into small pieces so that its villi are not felt. Cooks do not recommend scalding fresh borage leaves: this way they will lose their color and taste. Drying is also bad for this plant. Borage should be added at the end of cooking, for example, it is better to add borage to stew or fish before serving.

Borage leaves can successfully replace cucumber in some culinary recipes. For this purpose, borage can be added, for example, to okroshka, vinaigrette. Cucumber herb flowers are added when preparing homemade kvass, tea.

The benefits of borage and treatment

The benefits of borage allow you to use this herb against various ailments. Fresh borage leaves are used for skin problems, rheumatism. The dry leaves can be used as a mild laxative. Cucumber herb is used for heart neurosis, it is taken in order to increase the tone of the body. Borage is used for diseases of the kidneys, gallbladder, liver.

For medical purposes, flowers, leaves and seeds of the plant are used. Grass should be harvested during its flowering period, the plant is cut almost to the very root, the lower wilted leaves are thrown away. Dry borage should be in a ventilated place. Grass seeds are more difficult to collect as they crumble quickly and often become food for rodents if left to dry indoors.

Cucumber grass due to the content of mucus has an enveloping property. Internal intake of borage has a beneficial effect on the immune system, helps with urolithiasis, gout, cough. In folk medical recipes, borage is used to maintain the nervous system, with anxiety, fears, insomnia.

On the basis of borage, an infusion is prepared for oral administration. A tablespoon of dried herbs is poured with a glass of boiling water, and then infused. The infusion is not stored for a long time, it should be drunk during the day in small portions. The infusion has a positive effect on the nervous system, has calming properties. For the treatment of gastritis, inflammation of the kidneys and bladder, an infusion of borage flowers is used. For infusion, pour 5 grams of borage flowers with 200 ml of hot water and insist. The infusion can be taken after 6 hours, it is also effective for heart disease.

Harm borage and contraindications

Borage can cause harm to the body with individual intolerance to the product, uncontrolled use or violation of the indicated dosages. In any case, you should consult with your doctor.

The plant called "borage" is also called "borage" or "borage" because its leaves smell like fresh cucumbers.

Titles in other languages:

German Gurkenkraut;
English Borage;
fr. Burrache.

This plant is very popular in European countries and is grown as a vegetable. In addition to the fresh smell, borage also pleases with pretty cornflower blue flowers.

Appearance

Borage is a herbaceous plant. Its height is up to one meter.
The stem is straight, the flowers are blue, and the leaves are oblong.
The leaves have stiff hairs.
Stems are ribbed.
Flowers are 5-petalled.

Borage flowers are blue, with 5 petals.

The leaves of the borage are rough and pubescent with thin villi.

Leaves with a rough surface, pubescent with thin villi

Where does it grow?

This plant is originally from Syria.

The wild form of borage is found in South America, North Africa, Asia Minor, and also in southern Europe.

As a weed, this plant can be seen in vegetable gardens and fields in southwestern Russia.

Peculiarities

The leaves have a pleasant smell and taste reminiscent of cucumber.
High nutritional value.
The scope of borage is very extensive, including medicine and cooking.

Cucumber grass is easily recognizable by its flowers and stiff hairs.

In many countries, borage is often used in the process of cooking and decorating dishes.

Nutritional value and calories

Calories per 100 grams: 21 kcal.

Nutritional value per 100 gr.:

Proteins - 1.8 g,
Fat - 0 g,
Carbohydrates - 3.06 g.

Protein 34%, carbohydrates 58%, fats 0%.

The main value of flowers lies in essential oils.

Borago contains (daily rate in 100 g):

vitamin A (88%),
vitamin C (54%),
iron (20%),
calcium (10%).

Chemical composition

in flowers contains essential oils, as well as mucous substances.

in the leaves there are mineral salts (the plant is rich in potassium), tannins, ascorbic acid, saponins, malic acid, carotene, citric acid and mucus, so they are often used in cooking.

Borago is a great addition to a vegetable salad.

The flowers are not only beautiful, but also valuable for obtaining essential oil.

Flowers will be a great decoration for any drink.

Benefit

Borage leaves contain a significant amount of carotene, tannin and organic acids. They also contain mucous substances, vitamin C, potassium and magnesium.
The seeds contain a lot of fatty oils.
Borago is included in the pharmacopeia of many European countries, so this plant is included in some dietary supplements.
Nutritionists advise people who have digestive problems, vascular diseases, and impaired metabolism to add borage to dishes.
The flowers contain a significant amount of mucous substances, as well as essential oils.

Harm

Long-term use of borage can impair liver function.
Experts warn that borage should be used continuously for no longer than one month.
Also, do not take borage as an independent medicine - it is better to include this plant in the composition of the medicinal collection.

Oil

Cucumber seeds contain fatty vegetable oils. Due to the significant amount of fatty acids, including essential linoleic and linolenic, as well as the content of vitamins E, A and F, the oil of this plant has a beneficial effect on the skin. It enhances its protective function, promotes moisture retention, increases elasticity.

Cucumber oil is valued all over the world for its healing properties.

You can buy such oil, placed in capsules, at a pharmacy.

At home, you can grind the seeds and take a quarter teaspoon three times a day.

The use of borage oil is effective for acne, various types of rashes, eczema, as well as various inflammatory processes.

Fresh Juice

Cucumber herb juice is recommended for fever, infectious diseases (scarlet fever, smallpox, rubella), urolithiasis, cystitis, inflammation of the kidneys, gallstones, edema.
Reception of fresh juice helps to reduce the excitability of the National Assembly, eliminate insomnia, fears, depression.

Cucumber grass juice will help to calm down and get rid of many diseases.

For fresh juice:

The lower leaves of borage should be washed first with cold water and then with boiling water.
Pass them through a meat grinder,
Squeeze and dilute 1 to 1 with whey or water.
Boil the resulting liquid over low heat for three minutes.

Take fresh borage juice before meals 3-4 times a day, 3 tablespoons.

Application

Borago is often recommended by nutritionists for eating.

In cooking

In Europe, borage is grown as a vegetable because the young leaves of borage have a refreshing, cucumber-like taste that has an onion-like flavor. That is why cucumbers are often replaced with this plant in cold soups, salads, sauces and other dishes.
Young leaves of borage, plucked before the plant blooms, are added to salads. Seven-lobed leaves are preferable, as they are particularly tender. Later, the leaves become rougher and covered with hairs, but they can also be consumed.
Collected in autumn, borage roots are added to cheeses, sour cream, cottage cheese, butter. Also, with their help, they create the aroma of syrups, essences, punches, wines, vinegars, tinctures and other drinks.
Borage is added to minced meat, fried fish or minced meat to give a piquant taste.
Borago pairs well with other green vegetables such as cabbage or celery.
The shoots of this plant after sautéing or blanching can be served as a side dish.

Cucumber flowers are also eaten - dried, fresh or candied. They make good decorations for confectionery, drinks or salads.

Candied borage flowers are perfect for decorating your cake.

Cucumber grass is also a good honey plant. Honey is light and tasty.

Cucumber herb produces delicious honey

So that borage leaves do not lose their flavor when served with hot dishes or salads, season the dishes before serving.

Cut the borage leaves before serving, so they retain their flavor better.

You can make refreshing lemonade from borage. To do this, take one handful of fresh leaves of the plant, as well as a handful of lemon balm / mint / parsley leaves. Grind the plants (possible in a blender), adding chopped lemon without skin to them. Pour everything in a few glasses of cold water, add a spoonful of agave syrup, stevia or maple syrup, as well as ice cubes.

Useful and unusual lemonade will not leave anyone indifferent

For a delicious spring salad chop 100 g of borage leaves, boiled potatoes and 40 g of green onion feathers. Top with sour cream.

In the US, borage is often used to make mashed soups and, of course, decorate cooked dishes with flowers.

Fresh flowers can be an adornment of absolutely any dish.

In medicine

For the purpose of therapeutic use, borage is harvested during flowering. The plant is finely chopped and dried under a canopy. Also borage can be frozen.

Properties of borage, which are used in medicine:

Diuretic, laxative, diaphoretic - in young shoots.
Soothing, tonic - at the decoction.
A positive effect on blood vessels, joints, liver, heart, intestines, metabolism - in a fresh plant.
Lowering the temperature, lowering blood pressure, increasing lactation - in tea (pour 1 teaspoon of flowers or 1 tablespoon of dried stems with 250 ml of boiling water).
Reducing sweating - infusion (borage and strawberry leaves 1:1, drink instead of tea).
Healing of burns, abrasions, ulcers, wounds on the skin - at the infusion (pour a handful of dried leaves with 500 ml of boiling water and leave for 15 minutes).

Borago heals wounds well and soothes

For weight loss

Fresh borage juice also has an effect on excess weight. In order to lose weight, this juice is drunk 2 times a day. It can be consumed on its own or combined with celery juice.

Synonym: borage, borage, borage.

A herbaceous plant with a pubescent stem and leaves, during flowering pleases the eye with decorative blue flowers. Cucumber grass not only can compete with real cucumber because of the same smell, but also has medicinal properties: sedative, diuretic, anti-inflammatory.

Ask the experts

flower formula

Cucumber flower formula: * H (5) L (5) T5P (2).

In medicine

Cucumber grass is a pharmacopoeial plant in many European countries, it is part of some biologically active additives. Dishes in combination with borage are recommended by Western nutritionists for people with metabolic disorders, vascular ailments and problems of the digestive system. Despite the fact that the plant is absent in the Russian pharmacopoeia, the use of borage is widespread in folk medicine and homeopathy. Cucumber herb is indicated for constipation and intestinal colic, is used as a sedative for neurotic disorders, insomnia. In homeopathy, borage is used to treat heart neuroses, asthenia, and depressive states.

Contraindications and side effects

Despite the beneficial properties of borage, long-term use of this plant can lead to dysfunction of some organs. Cucumber grass can harm the liver. Therefore, experts do not recommend using it for more than one month. Borage is best taken in combination with various medicinal preparations, and not as an independent healing agent.

In cooking

Borago has a pleasant smell of fresh cucumber, has a slight salty taste. The flowers of the plant are used as a natural flavoring and coloring agent in the liquor and confectionery industries. Leaves - an ingredient for brewing a tonic drink - tea. Flowers and leaves of borage are used as seasoning for soups, salads, mushroom dishes. Fresh leaves of the plant give a special taste to meat and fish dishes.

In other areas

Cucumber grass is considered one of the best honey plants: more than 200 kg of honey can be obtained from one hectare of area. Cucumber grass is specially planted next to fruit and vegetable crops, as it contributes to pollination and increases the yield of neighboring crops. In the chemical industry, it is used as a dye for wool, obtaining a rich blue color.

Classification

Cucumber grass, Borage or Borage (lat. Borago) is a genus of flowering plants of the Borage family (lat. Boraginaceae), the only species of which is Borage officinalis (lat. Borago officinalis), an annual herbaceous plant.

Botanical description

Cucumber grass is an annual, herbaceous plant, pubescent with small hairs, reaching a height of 30-60 cm. The stem is branched, straight, ribbed, the root system is taproot with numerous lateral roots. The lower leaves are ovate, petiolate. The leaves located above the stem are sessile and differ in shape - oblong. Regardless of the location on the stem, the leaf blades are fleshy, bristly-hairy, along the edge - serrated.

The flowering period of cucumber grass falls on June - August. Flowers of blue or blue color with a pink tinge, drooping, on long pedicels, are formed at the top of the stem in thyroid-paniculate inflorescences. The calyx consists of 5 sepals fused at the base. Corolla short-tubular, up to 20 mm in diameter, with five stamens. Anthers dark purple. The formula for a flower of borage is * H (5) L (5) T5P (2).

The fruit consists of four large, elongated, slightly curved, ribbed nuts of a dark brown or almost black hue. Cucumber grass seeds are small, the weight of 1000 pieces is approximately 15-18 g. In late August - early September, the seeds reach ripeness and crumble. Seeds remain viable for up to 3 years.

Spreading

Syria is the birthplace of borage. Wild-growing representatives of the genus are found in the countries of Southern Europe, Asia Minor, South America and North Africa. Borago is a weed plant, often growing in fields and wastelands. In the south of Russia, borage is found as a weed. The plant is also cultivated in household plots as an early green with a cucumber smell for food purposes.

Distribution regions on the map of Russia.

Procurement of raw materials

The medicinal raw material of borage is grass, inflorescences and seeds of the plant. Grass for harvesting is cut off during the flowering period near the ground, be sure to clear the lower, often yellowed leaves. Dry the grass in the sun, or in a well-ventilated area on racks, laying out a thin layer. Store raw borage in a cool, dry room, in a tight container, no more than 1 year.

Ripened borage seeds are harvested at the end of August or September, always in dry weather and stored in paper bags.

Chemical composition

The leaves and shoots of borage contain fatty acids, resins, saponins, mucous and tannins, essential oil. In addition, borage is rich in retinol, ascorbic, silicic, malic and citric acids, potassium, phosphorus, lithium and calcium nitrates.

Pharmacological properties

Gamma-linolenic and cislinoleic fatty acids, necessary for synthesis with anti-inflammatory action, were found in borage oil. Gamma-linolenic acid reduces the production of arachidonic acid oxidation metabolites, which activate the inflammatory response.

Borage is an excellent source of Omega-6 fatty acids. Mucous substances in the composition of borage act envelopingly on the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines. Due to its unique chemical composition, borage has a mild laxative, sedative, anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic and diuretic effect. Tannins in the composition of borage contribute to the normalization of digestion, increase the efficiency of the body. Saponins regulate the water-salt balance in the body, have a sedative, diuretic and expectorant effect.

Scientists at the University of Texas have experimentally proven that borage oil has no contraindications for use by diabetics. Patients with diabetic neuropathy regularly took cucumber oil, as a result, there was a decrease in pain symptoms, swelling, and relief of inflammation. Also, in the course of American clinical studies, it was proved that plant oil improves the functioning of the heart muscle, normalizes high blood pressure, and has a beneficial effect on the walls of blood vessels.

Application in traditional medicine

The plant is a weed, but is often cultivated as a salad plant, as well as for medicinal purposes. In the form of a seasoning, the plant increases efficiency, relieves depression, hypochondria and melancholy. Salad from fresh borage leaves is an excellent blood purifier, which is indicated for cardioneurosis, pleurisy, dermatosis.

An aqueous infusion of the leaves is popularly used to treat catarrhs of the lungs, heart neurosis, neurasthenia, and headaches. Infusion of borage flowers is an effective diuretic, diaphoretic and emollient. Vitamin salads normalize metabolism, prevent inflammation in the kidneys and intestines, relieve anxiety and irritability, normalize sleep.

A decoction of borage in combination with linseed and marshmallow is used as an enveloping, anti-inflammatory and emollient for colds, urinary tract diseases, fever, rheumatic pains. A decoction of borage helps in the treatment of gastritis with low acidity of the stomach. The juice of the plant is effective for neurodermatitis, as well as for skin irritations.

Borage can be included in the diet for cholelithiasis, diseases of the vascular system, kidneys and urinary tract, for cardiac neurosis, heart attack, since the active substances of borage regulate metabolic processes in the body, reduce the excitability of the nervous system. Cucumber grass seeds help to maintain lactation in lactating women, contribute to its increase.

For the treatment of gout, lotions are made from the herb of the plant on sore joints.

History reference

There are suggestions that borage was brought to Spain during the Middle Ages, thanks to the Arabs. The ancient Romans also knew about the miraculous properties of the plant, they took it with them on a campaign to raise morale. Even the Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder (1st century AD) wrote about the beneficial effects of borage on the human body. Europeans grew it everywhere as an ornamental and medicinal plant. Ancient healers came up with a second name for the plant - "joy of the heart", thanks to the beneficial effect of borage on the nervous and cardiovascular systems. The French called this plant "heart flower", using it to flavor vinegar, wines, glasses with soft drinks were decorated with flowers. Borage came to Europe from Syria, but scientists consider this country the birthplace of borage. From Syria, the plant spread throughout the world through the Mediterranean and Asia Minor. Borage was brought to Russia in the 19th century from Spain, where it was distributed as a vegetable crop.

Literature

1. Abrikosov Kh. N. et al. Cucumber herb // Dictionary-reference book of the beekeeper / Comp. Fedosov N. F .. - M .: Selkhozgiz, 1955. - S. 221.

2. Highly effective medicinal plants. Big Encyclopedia / N. I. Maznev. - M.: Eksmo, 2012. - 608 p.

3. Medicinal plants and their use. - 5th ed., revised. and. add. - M., Science and technology, 1974.

4. Dudchenko L. G., Kozyakov A. S., Krivenko V. V. Spicy-aromatic and spicy-tasting plants: a Handbook / Ed. ed. K. M. Sytnik. - K.: Naukova Dumka, 1989. - 304 p.

5. Tanfilyev G. I. Burachnik // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: In 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg, 1890-1907.

6. Encyclopedic reference book. Plant treatment. - M.: "Publishing house "ANS", 2005. - 1024 p.

Cucumber grass is an annual plant that also has the name: borage, borage, borago, heart flower, gimlet, belongs to the borage family. The grass is an excellent honey plant, used in cooking, as well as in alternative medicine as an expectorant, anti-inflammatory and diaphoretic. In the wild, borage is found in South America, North Africa, southern Europe, Russia, Ukraine and the Caucasus.

Chemical composition

The borage reaches a height of up to 50-80 cm, has hollow, thick stems, branched in the upper part. The lower and basal leaves are petiolate, large, oval in shape, the stem leaves are much smaller, oblong, sessile, covered, like the stem, with whitish hairs. The flowering period of cucumber grass begins in June-August, the plant bears fruit in July-September. Blue or violet-blue flowers of borage, hanging on long stalks, are collected in a paniculate inflorescence, each flower can contain up to 5-12 mg of nectar. The fruit of the plant is a tuberculate dark brown nut.

For medicinal purposes in alternative medicine, the aerial part of the borage is mainly used - fresh or dried leaves, flowers and seeds. The composition of the leaves of the plant is presented:

Ascorbic acid;
carotene;
Salts of potassium, magnesium, calcium;
mucous substances;
Saponins;
Organic acids - citric, malic;
Flavonoids;
Tannins.

Mucous substances and essential oil were found in the flowers of borage, and fatty oils were found in the seeds of the plant.

Beneficial features

In European countries, young leaves of borage, reminiscent of fresh cucumbers in taste and smell, are eaten, adding to salads, sauces, vegetable soups, okroshka, meat and fish dishes. Mature leaves can be stewed, used in marinades and pickles, the flowers of the plant are used in industry for the manufacture of confectionery and cognacs.

Since ancient times, the medicinal properties of borage herb have also been known - even in the army of ancient Rome, soldiers on a campaign included a plant in their diet to increase fortitude and courage, and it was also used, if necessary, as a diaphoretic and diuretic. Medieval healers called borage a fun herb that relieves boredom and melancholy.

Currently, herbalists and traditional healers prescribe the use of borage as an anti-inflammatory, mild laxative, expectorant and enveloping agent for febrile conditions, inflammatory processes of the gastrointestinal tract, colds, constipation, dry cough.

The diuretic effect of borage is used to treat edema, damage to the kidneys, urinary tract and bladder, taking infusions of the leaves and flowers of the plant. Lotions and compresses of borage leaves have an antirheumatic and analgesic effect in the fight against joint and muscle pain, gout.

Borage seeds boiled in grape wine are recommended in alternative medicine to enhance lactation. The soothing property of borage in homeopathy is used in the treatment of neurasthenia, sleep disorders, depressive conditions, asthenia, heart neuroses.

Decoctions of the leaves of the plant are prescribed for external and internal use for skin rashes, eczema and other skin lesions, and borage seed oil is also used for these purposes. Since borage is rich in minerals and helps to improve metabolism, it is often included in various diets.

Indications for use

According to alternative medicine recipes, the use of borage herb is recommended against the background of:

Rheumatism;
joint pain;
gout;
Colitis;
gastritis;
constipation;
Inflammatory processes in the bladder and kidneys;
edema;
fever;
Colds;
Neurasthenia;
insomnia;
neuroses of the heart;
Asthenia;
Skin lesions.

Contraindications

It is not recommended to use borage for a long time (more than one month) due to possible violations of the liver. It is advisable to use the plant as part of various medicinal collections and consult a specialist before using it.

Homemade Cucumber Herb Remedies

To prepare fresh borage juice, used for nervous exhaustion, insomnia, heart neurosis, urolithiasis, febrile conditions, you need to rinse the fresh lower leaves of the plant with running water, pour over with boiling water, and then grind through a meat grinder. The juice obtained after squeezing the raw material through the fabric is diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 1 and boiled over low heat for 2-3 minutes. Take the remedy 3-4 times a day after meals, 2 tbsp. spoons, it can also be used for external treatment of problem areas of the skin.

To prepare an infusion of borage herb, a glass of boiling water should be poured in dried form 2 tbsp. spoons of leaves or 1 tbsp. a spoonful of plant flowers. After insisting the mixture for an hour, after filtering, take 1 tbsp three times a day. spoon for pain in muscles and joints, gout, rheumatism, while applying compresses from borage leaves.

For the treatment of hyposecretory gastritis and inflammation of the kidneys, the normalization of cardiac activity, it is recommended to use 100 ml of the plant infusion 3-4 times a day, for the preparation of which a tablespoon of flowers is poured with a glass of boiling water and insisted for 6 hours.

To obtain a decoction of grass, 20 g of dry leaves are poured into a glass of water, boiled for 10 minutes and filtered after cooling. For colitis, nervous disorders, joint pains, colds, three times a day, a tablespoon is prescribed before meals, and skin rashes can also be washed with a decoction.

borage grass- an annual plant that also has the name: borage, borage, borago, heart flower, gimlet, belongs to the borage family. The grass is an excellent honey plant, used in cooking, as well as in alternative medicine as an expectorant, anti-inflammatory and diaphoretic. In the wild, borage is found in South America, North Africa, southern Europe, Russia, Ukraine and the Caucasus.

What is borage herb?

Cucumber grass is very unpretentious, and therefore grows almost everywhere - in gardens, on roadsides, in landfills and wastelands. True, it has an excellent taste only if it is specially looked after - watered in a drought, fed with fertilizers, loosened the soil around.

If you grow borage grass culturally, then the seeds are sown in April in rows to a depth of 2-3 cm. The distance between seeds in a row is 8-10 cm, and between rows 20-25 cm. The emergence of seedlings should be expected for 7-9 days. Shoots are thinned out, and during the summer weeds are pulled out and the soil is loosened.

The collected grass is used immediately. In order for fresh and young borage to be on your table all summer, you need to constantly sow the seeds with a conveyor at intervals of 10-15 days.

Without care, the plant quickly runs wild and grows.

Being an annual plant up to half a meter high, with a straight, branched, juicy and hollow stem inside. The flowers are relatively large, azure-violet. Borago is prone to self-propagation: seeds appear in July-August, which quickly crumble, and give new shoots the next year.

The flowering period of cucumber grass begins in June-August, the plant bears fruit in July-September. Blue or violet-blue flowers of borage, hanging on long stalks, are collected in a paniculate inflorescence, each flower can contain up to 5-12 mg of nectar. The fruit of the plant is a tuberculate dark brown nut.

For medicinal purposes in alternative medicine, the aerial part of the borage is mainly used - fresh or dried leaves, flowers and seeds. The composition of the leaves of the plant is presented:

Ascorbic acid;
carotene;
Salts of potassium, magnesium, calcium;
mucous substances;
Saponins;
Organic acids - citric, malic;
Flavonoids;
Tannins.

Mucous substances and essential oil were found in the flowers of borage, and fatty oils were found in the seeds of the plant.

Beneficial features

In European countries, young leaves of borage, reminiscent of fresh cucumbers in taste and smell, are eaten, adding to salads, sauces, vegetable soups, okroshka, meat and fish dishes.

Mature leaves can be stewed, used in marinades and pickles, the flowers of the plant are used in industry for the manufacture of confectionery and cognacs.

According to alternative medicine recipes, the use of borage herb is recommended against the background of:

Rheumatism;
joint pain;
gout;
Colitis;
gastritis;
constipation;
Inflammatory processes in the bladder and kidneys;
edema;
fever;
Colds;
Neurasthenia;
insomnia;
neuroses of the heart;
Asthenia;
Skin lesions.

Contraindications

Homemade Cucumber Herb Remedies

The juice obtained after squeezing the raw material through the fabric is diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 1 and boiled over low heat for 2-3 minutes. Take the remedy 3-4 times a day after meals, 2 tbsp. spoons, it can also be used for external treatment of problem areas of the skin.

Borage does not require much effort for its existence. It adapts well to any conditions. In its natural form, it can be found on roadsides, wastelands and even in vegetable gardens. But only cultivated specimens that receive moisture and top dressing in a timely manner have excellent taste and nutritional composition.

At home, the annual needs to be controlled. Otherwise, it will spread over the entire area, displacing other crops. We will understand the details of planting borage, ways to always have fresh borage and the intricacies of growing it.

Landing

Sowing borage is planned in the first decade of April. The main thing is that the earth warms up well, otherwise the seeds may not sprout like that. Rows are made in the soil with a depth of 3 cm and grains are lowered into them at intervals of 10 cm.

The row spacing is about 25 cm. In stable warm weather, the first sprouts will appear in a week. When the crops in the rows begin to thicken, they must be thinned out and, of course, cleared of weeds.

Important! If you plan to use young borage foliage, the distance in the rows between the bushes should not exceed 25 cm. If you are interested in seeds and flowers, thin out the stems after 75 cm.

The peculiarity of borage is that it is consumed only fresh, and the collected raw materials are not allowed to lie for a long time.

It will be useful if you eat freshly plucked leaves and stems. Therefore, many gardeners share their experience with conveyor sowing of seeds every 15 days. Thus, borage will be in your diet throughout the summer season.

Care

For development, the borage does not need to create additional conditions. In prolonged heat, it must be watered and at least occasionally loosen the earth between the rows. At the beginning of the growing season, the grass will gratefully accept nitrogen-containing top dressing from a solution of infusion of chicken manure.

As the bushes grow, the crops need to be thinned out and the seeds collected on time. Otherwise, a thicket of hairy borage is formed on the site.

Important! Borago, sown on a potato bed, inhibits the activity of Colorado beetles. In cases of such a neighborhood, up to 95 percent of root crops are preserved.

Collection of leaves and seeds

For medicinal and culinary purposes, only young leaves with tender fleshy pulp are used. Old specimens are no longer suitable for this, because every day their surface becomes hard and bristly. Therefore, it is advisable to collect foliage in the first 2-3 weeks of plant life.

The period of collecting flowers and grains is more extended. Borage blooms in early July and blooms until autumn. This is how long the continuous maturation of the seed lasts, and the ripe samples do not stay long in the seed box and spill out into the ground.

Thus, self-seeding is obtained, which will ensure the growth of the crop for the next year, but at the same time, getting out of control, it will turn the planting into thorny weed thickets up to 1 meter high.

Based on these features of the borago, the harvesting of seed raw materials should be done carefully and in a timely manner throughout July, August and September.

To do this, gardeners use paper caps, into which ripe grains are shaken daily. And in order to avoid arbitrary entry of the seed into the ground, the near-stem holes are covered with cellophane. The flowers are cut to the extent of their full disclosure.

Did you know? Ancient Roman warriors added borage to wine. Such a drink helped them get rid of the fear of battle, gain courage and courage. Soon, such a drink was served at all feasts, so that the guests would not grieve and yearn.

Cucumber herb has found its way into the kitchen thanks to its aroma reminiscent of fresh cucumbers and the subtle taste of a mixture of young onion feathers and cucumber pulp.

For culinary preparations, fresh leaves are used, which are no more than a week old. The pulp, peeled from the fleecy skin, is added to various salads, drinks, soups, sauces, side dishes, borscht, okroshka.

Meat and fish dishes are sometimes seasoned with borage roots to add spice. Also, the roots of the plant are an excellent raw material for the manufacture of green oil. It is added to cheese, sour-milk products and cold drinks.

Surprisingly, hyssop, chervil, sow thistle, quinoa, oregano, nasturtium have found application in cooking.

Many use borage as a green. For example, boiled potatoes are generously sprinkled with chopped leaves, which are seasoned with sour cream or other sauce.

Blue inflorescences in cooking play the role of not only a beautiful decoration of dishes, but also a useful ingredient. They are used fresh, dried and candied.

Often, housewives use flowers for homemade wines, liqueurs and liqueurs. They make a very fragrant tea.

Important! Borage salads are rich in vitamins, so they are recommended to prevent inflammation in the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract, as well as to improve the functioning of the circulatory system, liver, and gallbladder.

Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology

In cosmetology, the annual also played an important role. Many beauties prefer cosmetic products based on borage oil, which have rejuvenating and tonic properties. Its advantages are also in its beneficial effect on dry, dehydrated, aging and sensitive skin.

The drug is suitable for everyone, getting into the epidermis, it promotes cell regeneration, smoothes fine wrinkles, gives the skin a healthy look. Such a component is simply necessary for recovery after aggressive cosmetic procedures such as dermabrasion, chemical peels.

Borage oil in cosmetology is used to treat hair, nails, dermatitis, and dandruff. The tool can be found in any pharmacy, it is recommended both in pure form and in mixtures with other essential oils. By the way, omega-3, omega-6 and phytohormones were found in borage oil.

For example, to normalize the work of the sebaceous glands of the head and face, a mask is prepared from 1 teaspoon of borage oil, 4 drops of tea tree oil, 5 drops of lemon juice. All ingredients are mixed well and applied to the face or hair roots. After an hour, everything should be washed off with warm water.

Important! After opening the original packaging, borage oil oxidizes and quickly deteriorates. It should be stored for no more than 60 days in the refrigerator. You can extend the shelf life of the drug by adding wheat germ oil to the bottle.

Watered facial skin will be saved by a mixture of 1 egg yolk, 1 teaspoon of borage oil and 3 drops of orange oil. The mask is applied for half an hour, after which it is washed off with water.

For the treatment of hair damaged by chemical perms and dyeing, a mask of equal parts of borage and sea buckthorn oil is simply necessary.

Both components are mixed and heated in a water bath. Then a warm remedy is applied to the scalp and wrapped in cellophane. Top wrapped with a terry towel. After 2 hours, wash off with regular shampoo.

Useful tips for girls: learn how to use evening primrose, nettle, periwinkle, savory, marjoram, rosemary, calendula, parsnip, lettuce for cosmetic purposes.