You might say borage is an antique plant since as early as the 1600s Europeans blended borage leaves and flowers into a wine that was reputed to relieve boredom and dispel sadness. I prefer to call it a vintage herb, but no matter which adjective you use, it’s one plant that’s making a comeback.

All parts of the borage plant, from its stubbly stems to its blue star shaped blooms, have been used in many parts of the world for over centuries for its healing qualities. Aside from that, the borage plant is also used as a flavoring for foods.

Borage oil is basically derived from the seeds of the borage plant — borago officinalis — which is a huge plant with star shaped blue flowers that is mostly found in parts of Europe and North Africa and is also naturalized in many places in North America.

Modern science has not found much evidence to support the claim that the herb has any therapeutic effects, but there are many findings that  borage oil from the seed of the plant aids in healing a number of conditions. Borage oil is said to be useful for treating rheumatoid arthritis as well as sorts of menstrual problems.

Numerous research has shown that borage oil, just like the evening primrose oil and black currant seed oil, contains a powerful fatty acid known as gamma linolenic acid or GLA which contributes a large part of its medicinal effect; however, unlike evening primrose oil, borage oil boasts more than twice as much GLA. Additionally, borage oil contains a good amount of  the essential fatty acid omega-6 fatty acid.

The GLA in the borage oil is transformed into a hormone-like substance that has the ability to block inflammation which makes it a great solution for arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.

Because borage oil blocks the production of inflammatory prostaglandins, it is a remedy for the aches and pains of rheumatoid arthritis as well as PMS, endometriosis, and fibrocystic breasts.  Many women claim borage oil reduces some of the breast tenderness that menstruation or endometriosis-related inflammation.

As if that weren’t enough, borage oil is helpful for reducing the symptoms of eczema and psoriasis, acne, and rosacea — all inflammatory conditions. It has also been said to alleviate the inflammation related to lupus, as well as prevent nerve damage from diabetes, fight damage from multiple sclerosis, ease cough, soothe throat disorders, treat Alzheimer’s-related memory deficiencies, reduce stress and high blood pressures, nourish nails, scalp, and hair, treat gout, and counter impotence and female infertility.

With its multiple uses and functions, borage oil is now popular in the form of softgels, but there is a danger of liver toxicity. It can contain tiny amounts of alkaloid compounds called pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can be toxic to the liver. Simply make sure to buy borage oil that is free of these alkaloids. The packaging should be labeled “PA-free”, and most manufacturers of borage oil supplements will verify this.

Agrimony is a herb with a notable history of unusual uses. One of its more well known uses is to soothe sore throats. In days gone by, stage performers would gargle with agrimony water. Other uses have been for internal hemorrhages and eye complaints. An old English medical transcript read as follows:

If agrimony be leyd under mann’s heed,
He shal sleepyn as he were deed;
He shal never drede ne wakyn
Till fro under his heed it be takyn.

It is believed that the agrimony’s first use dates back to the ancient Egyptians, and the term agrimony comes from the Greek word Argemone which means “plants healing to eyes”. In the tradition of the ancient times of agrimony, it is believed that the ancient Greeks usually used agrimony to soothe their eye problems; and the Anglo-Saxons treated their wounds with it.

Agrimony generally involves a certain volatile oil, which maybe taken from the plant itself by means of the process of distillation. It also contains bitter principle, flavonoids, and it yields in addition for about five percent of tannin in order for its function in cottage medicines for the gargles and also for the astringent applicant to lethargic ulcers and wounds. And since it contains tannin for about five percent, many people used agrimony in dressing leather.

For further information, the agrimony is used with its whole herbs for different purposes and it is recommended by some medical experts for the reason that the whole herb produces and agent that ease inflammation and it also produces an agent that contracts organic tissue which then lessen the secretions or the discharges. In line with that claim, the agrimony acts as deobstruant which is an agent that wipes away the obstructions by opening the natural ways or passages of the human body. It is also diuretic, which is an agent that enhances the expulsion of the urine; tonic, which is an agent that revitalizes the organs or the entire organism; and it is vulnerary, that it is applied to heal wounds.

Also included in the major uses of the agrimony are some claims that the herb is a very useful agent for conditioning the blood, especially to those who have anemia, and it is also used for cardiovascular conditions such as enlargement of the heart, stomach and the lungs. It is as well interesting to know that agrimony is also very useful for gastrointestinal conditions such as diarrhea, digestive trouble, indigestion, mucous colitis, overactive irritable bowel, relaxed bowel, sluggish stomach conditions, ulcers, and it promotes assimilation of food.

Aside from those mentioned conditions, agrimony is used generally for genitourinary conditions, inflammatory conditions, liver conditions, respiratory tract conditions, gargles, skin conditions, and other conditions such as appendicitis, fevers, and much more. However, outside from those multiple benefits that anyone can get from the agrimony, it is still necessary to note that agrimony must not be applied in cases of constipation. And the herb must only be used with the recommendation of the healthcare provider.

Finally, many experts recommend getting a bit of training before diving into making your own herbal cures. If you want to stay healthy by creating your own herbal medicines, I recommend the Learning Herbs course. It’s a great way for aspiring herbalists to learn about herbs. What’s even better is that your starter kit will come with all the herbs and materials you need for your first batch of herbal remedies.