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Borage Details & Specifications |
| Useful
Link |
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| Botanical Name |
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Borago officinalis Linn. |
| English Name |
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Borage |
| Hindi Name |
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Borage |
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| CATEGORY |
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Demulcent |
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| SOURCE |
| Part used |
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State of the part used |
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Flowers |
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Leaves |
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Fresh and dried |
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| FAMILY |
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Boraginaceae |
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| GEOGRAPHICAL SOURCE |
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The plant is indigenous to Europe and is found in following countries:-
Bhutan
Europe
India
Italy
Japan
Pakistan
The Common Borage is an annual plant originally from Aleppo but now naturalized in most parts of Europe growing mostly on rubbish heaps and near dwellings.
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| IDENTIFICATION |
| Organoleptic characteristics |
| Colour |
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| Odour |
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Odourless |
| Taste |
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Tastless |
| Size |
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Different sizes |
| Physical
Standards |
| Total Ash |
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N/A |
| Moisture |
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Not more than 12 percent |
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| CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS |
| Major |
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Major chemical constituents responsible for physicochemical and therapeutic action of the herb are:-
Potassium
Calcium
Mineral acids
Borage contains potassium and calcium, combined with mineral acids. The fresh juice affords 30 per cent and the dried herb 3 per cent of nitrate of potash. Boiling of the saline mucilage of stems and leaves deposits nitrate and common salt and this saline property makes it a stimulant. It emits sparks with a slight explosive sound when burnt due to presence of nitrate of potash.
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| Minor |
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The drug contains various minor chemical constituents affecting color, odour, taste and stability of the drug however no specific contents have been identified yet. |
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| CULTIVATION |
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It has long been grown freely in kitchen gardens, both for its uses as a herb and for the sake of its flowers, which yield excellent honey. It may be propagated by division of rootstocks in spring and by putting cuttings of shoots in sandy soil in a cold frame in summer and autumn or from seeds sown in March to May. If left alone, Borage will seed itself freely and grows year after year in the same place. Seeds may also be sown in autumn which flowers in May whereas those sown in the spring do not flower till June.
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| STORAGE |
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To maintain physicochemical properties and medicinal values of the herb it is recommended to maintain following storage conditions:-
Air tight containers
Protection from light
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