Starflower (Borago officianalis)
By Pertinax
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not one of my images-I will replace with one of my own-this is for Lacertus to identify the plant.
Lacertus if you google for "borage beer" or possibly "cool draft" you should get some brief info about the role of this plant (very rich in magnesium and linoleic acid) as a pre-combat drink. The herb (as an oil extract) is most suitable for those subjected to prolonged stress.
the Pyrrolizidine Alkoloids are present in very small quantities-but the fresh herb can have a considerably higher amount-hence the status of the plant for pre-combat drinking.
Borage was sometimes called Bugloss by the old herbalists, a name that properly belongs to Anchusa officinalis, the Alkanet, the Small Bugloss being Lycopsis arvensis, and Viper's Bugloss being the popular name for Echium vulgare.
Some authorities consider that the Latin name Borago, from which our popular name is taken, is a corruption of corago, from cor, the heart, and ago, I bring, because of its cordial effect.
In all the countries bordering the Mediterranean, where it is plentiful, it is spelt with a double 'r,' so the word may be derived from the Italian borra, French bourra, signifying hair or wool, words which in their turn are derived from the Low Latin burra, a flock of wool, in reference to the thick covering of short hairs which clothes the whole plant.
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