With these sky-blue flowers, giving peace, humanity has long been acquainted. For centuries the cucumber grass has found wide application not only in medicine, but also has perfectly proved itself as an effective cosmetic means.
What is cucumber grass?
A medicinal borage or cucumber grass is a one-year, small, not more than 1 meter tall, herbaceous heat and sunshine plant, which as its homeland chose the fertile soils of Syria and the entire South European part. That is why this herb has been most used in Europe.
What does a cucumber grass look like?
You can find a borage among hundreds of meadow flowers by gently-blue five-leaved flowers on long legs, gathered in curls. Its stem is straight, hollow from below and branched from the middle, and the rough leaves are covered with villi. The leaves of this herb have an original fresh aroma and taste, which is akin to cucumber, for which this plant is called cucumber grass.
How useful cucumber grass?
Due to its rich composition and numerous healing properties, borage cucumber grass is actively used in medicine and in modern cosmetology. Useful than borage:
- The borage contains a lot of essential oils, which are the main valuable source of this part of the plant.
- The fruits of cucumber grass are rich in fatty oils.
- Borage leaves are a storehouse of vitamins (A and C) and minerals, among which the concentration of K, Fe and Ca is greatest. The leaflets also noted the content of malic and citric acids, saponins and tannins.
Cucumber grass in folk medicine
In medical practice, borago has been actively used for many years:
- Young shoots of borage bear on the body a slight diuretic and diaphoretic effect, which helps to cope with swelling, fever and high blood pressure.
- Since ancient times, borage is considered a soothing herb, a decoction of flowers which was prescribed to reduce the excitation of the nervous system, from insomnia , melancholy and phobias.
- In fresh form, borage leaves are recommended to be added to food for vascular pathologies, metabolic disorders and digestive problems.
- Tea made from borage can normalize blood pressure and have a stimulating effect in lactation.
- Infusion of dried leaves is actively used as a wound-healing drug for burns, ulcers and abrasions.
Cucumber grass juice - recipe
Fresh borage juice can be considered a universal medicine that effectively copes with:
- fever;
- infectious diseases: rubella, scarlatina, angina, smallpox;
- obesity;
- pathologies of the kidneys, urogenital system and gallbladder.
Ingredients:
- leaves and young shoots of cucumber grass - 200 g / 2 beam;
- water or serum - 60-100 ml;
Preparation and use:
- Leaves and shoots of my borage are in cool water, shake off and let through the meat grinder.
- The resulting mass is squeezed through a double gauze. The result is approximately 60 ml of juice.
- We boren the borage juice with cool water or serum in a 1: 1 ratio and insist 30 minutes.
- Take 2-3 tablespoons. twice-thrice during the day.
Lactation tea - recipe
The problem with the lack of milk for newly mummies is not uncommon, which can be solved by drinking tea based on borage. Another drink helps:
- lowering of temperature;
- normalization of blood pressure.
Ingredients:
- borage flowers - 1 tsp / dry borage stalks - 1 tablespoon;
- water 250 ml.
Preparation and use:
- Fill the flowers with boiled water or dried borage stalks, cover the container with a lid and leave for 15 minutes.
- Drink this tea can be 2-3 times a day, sweetening, if desired, maple syrup, honey or sugar.
Cucumber grass in cosmetology
The active use of cucumber grass in cosmetology is another conquered Olimp borage, which became available, thanks to the rich composition of oil from the fruits of the plant:
- vitamins F, A, group B and tocopherol;
- linoleic acid (omega-3, omega-6);
- oleic acid;
- phytohormones;
- minerals.
Borage oil is used for:
- Treatment of acne and other skin pathologies, including inflammatory.
- Restoration and rejuvenation of the skin.
- Nutrition of allergic and sensitive skin.
- Nutrition of hair, scalp and treatment of dandruff .
Oil rejuvenating - prescription
Regular application of such oil will visibly tighten the skin and give it a fresh radiance.
- Mix in the bottle wheat germ oil - 15 drops, sea - buckthorn oil - 25 drops, borage oil - 50 drops and avocado oil - 10 drops.
- Then add to the resulting oil mixture essential oils of neroli, orange and jasmine - 1-2 drops. Mix everything.
- Apply the enriched oil to the cleansed face twice a day.
Cleansing tonic - recipe
This lotion is suitable for the face and for the décolleté zone. Its regular application not only enriches the oxygen of the cell, but also gently cleanses and soothes the skin before going to sleep.
- Combine in a clean bottle 70 ml of rose water, 20 ml of borage oil and 5 ml of rosehip oil. Drip into the composition of 4-5 drops of essential oils of ylang-ylang and lime.
- Use this lotion in the evening, gently rubbing the skin with a cotton swab dipped in the composition.