One look and it’s easy to see that borage is a pretty plant. It bears clusters of star-shaped flowers that are deep blue or purple in color, and that’s why some people call it “starflower”. Bees do find the said flowers so attractive. This is the reason why “bee plant” and “bee bread” are the other names of borage.
Borage is more than just a pretty plant. It’s something that can be consumed by humans. The leaves — particularly tender ones — are suitable for adding to salads or stir-fried veggies.
For so many years now, borage flowers are turned into tea. Most of the time, they are also candied and used for making cakes look more awesome. Sometimes they are also turned into rich sauces and syrups. In Italy, the flowers of borage are commonly served as a side dish, pretty much just like regular vegetables.
Without any more ado, let’s take a look at some of the reasons why borage should be added to your diet:
It Promotes a Stronger Immune System
Nutrition experts say that 100 grams of fresh borage provides up to 60 percent of your daily requirement of vitamin C. We all know that vitamin C is a nutrient associated with a strong immune system, and that’s why the consumption of borage regularly can help lower your risk of having infections, like the flu and common cold.
It Also Keeps Skin Healthy and Young
Vitamin C found in borage is also important for the proper healing of wounds and burns. What’s more, it helps keep your skin firm and free of wrinkles. Such is due to a couple of reasons: vitamin C is an antioxidant that fights off harmful free radicals, and it’s also a nutrient important for the production of collagen.
It Keeps Your Peepers in a Superb Condition
Borage is actually an impressive source of vitamin A. In fact, you can obtain as much as 140 percent of your recommended daily dose of vitamin A in a 100-gram serving of it. Making sure that your everyday diet consists of foods packed with vitamin A is a surefire way to keep your eyes healthy and your vision sharp.
It Supplies the Body with B Vitamins, Too
All sorts of B vitamins are also found in borage. This only means that the consumption of the said herb can help energize your body because those vitamins are essential for converting food into energy. Additionally, B vitamins found abundantly in borage are also important for the proper functioning and optimum health of the nerves.
It Helps Save You From Iron-Deficiency Anemia
Your body needs irons for it to produce sufficient amounts of red blood cells, which are the blood’s oxygen-transporting components. The regular addition of borage in your diet can help ward off anemia that stems from insufficiency in red blood cells because the said herb is actually an excellent source of the mineral iron.
It Also Lowers High Blood Pressure
Another mineral present in borage is potassium, which is something that’s beneficial for your heart. The reason for such is this: potassium causes the walls of the blood vessels to relax. As a result, the blood pressure can be kept from soaring. Having high blood pressure is a complete no-no because it’s one of the risk factors for heart disease.
It Wards Off Painful and Inflamed Joints
Borage, according to nutrition experts, contains healthy fats. Not all fats are the same — some are bad for you while others are actually beneficial, such as those found in borage. Healthy fats have so many roles in the body, and one of them is to keep the joints working smoothly, free of pain and swelling.
