Indian borage – a great addition to you home first aid kit

Indian borage is a great herb that we all use especially during the flu and cold season. It alleviates many cold-related symptoms and relieves respiratory track pain. Unfortunately, we don’t always have it ready and in sufficient amount, even though it is probably one of the most popular herbs. But do not despair. There are several products you can make from Indian borage, store them and have them ready when needed. For example, a syrup or ointment made form Indian borage are great products and you should have them handy at all times.

Syrup

Making a syrup out of Indian borage is a great way how to make children to like it. It is sweet and you can make it from all varieties of Indian borage. So, to make a syrup you need:

• 1 organic lemon,
• 1 organic orange,
• 50 borage leaves,
• 1 l water,
• 1 kg of cane sugar

Do not wash the leaves and you do not need to cut them in any way. Just put them in a pot big enough so all ingredients fit inside. Add chopped lemons and oranges. Pour in 1 litre of hot (but not boiling) water. Cover with a lid and let it infuse for at least 24 hours, but you can let it sit even longer.When done, drain the liquid through a fine cloth and squeeze the leaves to get as much liquid out as possible. Now, bring the extract to a boil and add sugar to it, preferably cane sugar. Stir well to make sure that all sugar has dissolved. As soon as the liquid starts to thicken, turn off the heat.

Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org

Indian borage honey

If you want to make honey, do the same as in previous paragraph, but continue cooking until the mixture is as thick as honey. It may take a while…

Indian borage ointment

To make an ointment, you will need about 30 leaves and 200 g of fat – it can be coconut oil or even lard. Any kind of fat that liquefies when heated and solidifies when cooled. Natural fat preferably. Put the fat in a saucepan and heat it up. Cut the leaves into small pieces and put them in the liquefied fat. The fat should not be too hot. Use a very low flame and keep it low even after you put the leaves in. Keep heating up for about two hours, stir occasionally. When done pour the mixture into a bowl and put it in a fridge. The next day, heat the mixture again on a low flame, also for two hours, but this time you will strain it into a container. Store in a cold room. If you feel like cold, rub the mixture on your chest. It feels great!

Preview photo: Commons.wikimedia.org