All about STARFLOWER or BORAGE OIL
April 9 2006 at 10:10 AM
Eve M (Login EveEM)
SENIOR MEMBER
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Starflower is also known as Borage.
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Molly
(Login MollyH)
EVE MEMBERS Re: All about STARFLOWER or STARFLOWER OIL April 10 2006, 8:43 PM
Borage is known as Starflower due to the shape of the flowers, which are small with 5 triangular-pointed petals which makes a star shape, hence starflower.
All About Borage Oil
March 9 2006 at 8:28 AM Sherri (no login)
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Family: BORAGINACEAE
Other names: bugloss, burage, common bugloss, cool tankar, miner's candle, talewort
Habitat: Borage is an annual plant that grows wild in the Mediterranean countries.
An annual coming from Europe and north Africa, borage is naturalized in many parts of North America.
Known for the beautiful star-shaped bright blue flowers.
Contains phytoestrogens associated with its traditional use to increase breast milk in lactating mothers and to regulate hormones.
This balancing action has a direct influence on the development of the breast, which has estrogen receptors that naturally attract the female hormones naturally secreted by the body thanks to the effect of phytoestrogens.
However there is absolutely no danger of an 'estrogen overdose'! Phytoestrogens only stimulate the hormonal production insofar as this is lacking or reduced - and they are totally safe and with no side effects, unlike synthetic hormones. In fact, phytoestrogens are *not* proper hormones themselves (ever heard of plants with hormones?!), but only natural regulators of hormonal production. By stimulating the production of good estrogen, their effects on the development of the breast are well visible already in the first weeks of use.
Other characteristics and properties:
This herb contains essential minerals such as calcium and potassium, palmitic acid and tannins, and is particularly rich in Omega-6 essential fatty acids (especially gamma-linolenic acid), needed for proper cardiovascular function and healthy skin and nails.Ý
Borage oil has been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, eczema, psoriasis, coronary dysfunction, high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol.
Borage is:
* galactogogue - increases breast milk in lactating mothers
* the oil helps regulate hormones and lowers blood pressure
* seeds high in gammalinolenic acid - good for skin complaints & PMS
Author Reply
Steph
(no login) Toxicity of Borage... March 9 2006, 9:52 AM
Borage Oil has been safely used by many members so this is for EDUCATIONAL purposes only: Borage Oil may be toxic ONLY when handled incorrectly by the manufacturer or during the manufacturing process.Again many members have used it so this information is NOT meant to panic anyone!
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Sunset
(Login liquidSunset)
EVE MEMBERS The flip side March 9 2006, 11:34 PM
More complex plant sources of GLA, include borage oil and Black currant oil.
They contain higher concentrations of GLA compared to EPO-BUT they also have a number of competing fatty acids. (including the saturated fats in the case of borage)
-this leads to inferior GLA absorption and utilization in the body.
-Borage and black current oils, being less researched, may contain other toxic substances.
(this info came out of an herb book that I have)
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Sunset
(Login liquidSunset)
EVE MEMBERS Borage March 10 2006, 5:57 PM
*In 1611 Mattioli wrote, "It stengthens the heart and vital spirit,takes away anxiety, depression and grief."
DOSAGE:not recommended internally.
RECENT SCIENTIFIC FINDINGS
*Even though Borage is a widely used and popular herbal preparation and salad green,it should NEVER be taken INTERNALLY for ANY reasons.
Borage contains substances known as pyrrolizidine alkaloids (i.e.,lasiocarine) of the type that are known to cause liver damage, and to INDUCE cancer in laboratory animals when fed to them over long periods of time.
*Whether the amount of these liver poisons in Borage is sufficient to cause liver damage or cancer in humans has NOT yet been established.
*However, experimental evidence indicates that Borage oil is an EXCELLENT dietary fatty acid.
*Most significant is Borage's ANTI-ARTHRITIC and ANTI-RHEUMATIC properties.
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Molly
(Login MollyH)
EVE MEMBERS Re: All About Borage Oil March 21 2006, 8:18 PM
In the UK the symbol of breast cancer awareness is the borage flower and the Director of the United Kingdom Cancer Research Campaign has stated that "this humble herb holds great potential as we strive to find new treatments for cancer." Why is this? Because a British study published in 2000 observed that women who had breast cancer who were taking Tamoxifen (a common drug for breast cancer) and received a borage extract showed better response than those taking Tamoxifen alone. Study participants received the equivalent of 12000mg borage oil daily and researchers concluded that it was a useful adjunct to primary Tamoxifen treatment. In some countries a pink ribbon is worn to honour those women who have died from breast cancer or are still fighting the disease and to encourage more research on treatment methods and to ensure we educate ourselves on ways to prevent this deadly disease. In the UK the beautiful blue borage flower is worn instead, to demonstrate the real success that borage has had in treating breast cancer patients.
Borage is also a common food. The taste of borage is often described as cucumber-like and it is sometimes used in salads in preference to the cucumber. It also adds a hearty flavour to soups and stews, enhances the flavour of iced tea and fruit drinks and by itself makes a soothing and calming tea. European chefs make starflower pastries which retain the blue colour of the flowers, and Chinese chefs have been known to use the leaves much as others use grape leaves: stuffed and rolled. Charles Dickens is reputed to have been particularly fond of borage punch - a rather potent concoction of sherry, brandy, apple cider, lemon, sugar and borage flowers. The world famous gin based drink, Pimm's No.1, has borage as one of its main ingredients.
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Sunset
(Login liquidSunset)
EVE MEMBERS Borage March 23 2006, 11:03 PM
Borage is a more complex plant source of GLA and contains a higher concentration of GLA compared to EPO--HOWEVER--it ALSO has a NUMBER of COMPETING fatty acids such as SATURATED FATS.
That can lead to INFERIOR GLA absorption and utilization in the body.
Also since it is less researched-it MAY also contain other toxic substances.
Infact, long term use of borage or black current oil may be associated with an INCREASED risk of over aggregation of platelets in the bloodstream.
And ,may even be associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis.
~Follow your heart-
Let your spirits lift you-
And then capture your dreams!
~Best wishes on a growing journey!~
*Sunset*
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Molly
(Login MollyH)
EVE MEMBERS Recipe for borage fritters March 29 2006, 1:47 PM
Ingredients required:
Borage leaves, chopped and cooked, 250ml
Flour 250ml
Baking powder 8ml
Salt
Milk 125ml
Egg beaten
Grated onion 15ml
Oil or butter to fry
Sift flour, baking powder and salt into a basin.
Make a well in the centre and stir in combined milk and egg to make a stiff batter.
Add chopped, cooked borage leaves and grated onion.
Heat oil in a frying pan and fry the mixture in tablespoons, turning to brown both sides.
Drain on brown paper and eat hot with mashed potatoes and grilled tomatoes.
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Molly
(Login MollyH)
EVE MEMBERS Re: All About Borage Oil April 3 2006, 4:11 PM
Borage oil has been proven safe by lab tests in Germany which used the most sensitive testing methods currently available in the world, testing up to 4 parts per billion. The lab tests showed that borage is completely safe up to a daily consumption of at least 250g. In comparison, coffee is considered to be a lethal dose at a daily intake of only 10g.
Thanks for that article on borage oil. I've always thought of it more along the lines of being an EFA, and was not aware that it was also a phytoestrogen. I had never really researched it for those purposes, but it's good to know. I've always known
borage oil to be excellent for cognitive health and helping with arthritis. It's also great for many of the metabolic processes in the body. Thanks again...you learn something new everyday.
Yay for Borage Oil! Back when I was breastfeeding I had recurrent mastitis, finally I broke down to my doctor and got upset at the repeat courses of antibiotics I had been given. He gave me a prescription for Starflower Oil capsules and I never got blocked ducts again!
So, if I use this on my breasts it will help them grow, even if I have estrogen dominance?
I cannot speak for suitability with estrogen dominance, but wanted to point out that my doctor said it is good for 'breast pain' and that the capsules are to be swallowed.