Doddapatre Indian Borage - Health Benefits

Doddapatre Indian Borage - Health Benefits

Some of the most impressive health benefits of Indian Borage (also known as Mexican Mint) include its ability to improve the health of your skin, detoxify the body, defend against colds, ease the pain of arthritis, relieve stress and anxiety, treat certain kinds of cancer, and optimize digestion.

The plant, whose scientific name is Plectranthus amboinicus, is very hardy and grows quickly, requires little water, and can even grow in colder conditions if the weather changes dramatically. The leaves are the most sought after parts of this plant, as they are ideal for flavoring meat and vegetable dishes, while the ground up dried leaves can be added to soups, stews, and other meals as an herb. While essential oils can be extracted from the leaves, they are more commonly used in full or powdered form, and can be eaten normally or can be rubbed topically on the skin for some of its effects. Speaking of medicinal uses, let’s take a closer look at some of the health benefits of Indian borage, also known as Mexican Mint, Spanish thyme, country borage, and other colloquial names.

Respiratory Issues: If you are suffering from a cold, a sore throat, congestion, a stuffy nose, or painful sinuses, you can chew on the leaves of Indian borage or brew a tea from the leaves. The compounds contained in the herb act as a powerful expectorant to eliminate mucus and phlegm from your respiratory tracts and clear out your sinuses. This can also help to boost your immune system by preventing bacteria or other pathogens from lodging and developing in your tracts.

Skin Health: One of the most popular uses of Indian borage is as an effective skin treatment. From bug bites and stings to eczema and psoriasis, Indian borage possesses the anti-inflammatory compounds that can quickly reduce redness and swelling while also eliminating itchiness and irritation.

Omega-6 Content: If you do choose to extract the essential oil from the leaves of Indian borage, the volatile compounds in that extract include omega-6 fatty acids, such as gamma-linoleic acid. This specific fatty acid has been linked to reducing arthritis by increasing joint regeneration; this can also be important for athletes or those with osteoporosis who have regular impact stress on their joints and bones.

Vitamin C and A: The high content of ascorbic acid found in the herb makes it important as an immune system booster, while the carotenoids and vitamin A content can improve vision health, reducing oxidative stress in the eyes, and prevent macular degeneration.

Cancer Prevention: Indian borage has recently come back into the news because of research showing its positive effect on treating breast cancer; although the studies are still in progress, early reports show that the antioxidant capacity of this herb, as well as the omega-6 gamma-linoleic acids are effective in slowing the spread of breast cancer. The herb’s effect on prostatitis, one of the early indicators of prostate cancer, is also being studied.

Stress and Anxiety: Although this is one of the lesser-known benefits of Indian borage, some of the organic compounds and minerals found in this herb have been shown to be mildly sedative in nature, so this herbal remedy, particularly in tea form, is often offered to people with high anxiety or chronic stress to induce relaxation, peace of mind, and healthy, restful sleep.

Kidney Health: Indian borage acts as a very effective diuretic, which means that it can clean the body of toxins by stimulating urination; this also reduces the amount of excess salt, fat, and water in the body, keeping the kidneys and lymphatic system functioning smoothly.

Fever Reducer: If you are suffering from a cold or flu, one of the common symptoms is a fever. Typically, you don’t start getting better until your fever “breaks”, as a sign that your immune system is making some headway. Indian borage is a sudorific, meaning that it stimulates sweating, which also helps to clear out toxins through the skin and speed the recovery process.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: In traditional use, Indian borage was commonly used to settle upset stomachs and relieve irritable bowel syndrome by regulating digestion and soothing stomach inflammation. Brewing tea from the leaves of Indian borage is the most effective way to take advantage of this health benefit.

A Final Word of Warning: The bristly leaves and stems may cause mild contact dermatitis to people with sensitive skin, but generally, there is no allergenic potential in Indian borage. Due to its potent mixture of compounds and chemicals, however, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are discouraged from using the herb.

With all these amazing benefits, I would suggest everyone have this herb in their home gardens. For further info on organic gardening, get in touch with Vandana at 9535025938 or send in a mail at vandana@artyplantz.com.

Happy Gardening!!

Credits: Organic Facts