How to Make Borage Tea - The Forgotten Plant
Borage, or starflower, is a herb that has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for its many health benefits.
Borage tea has a mild, slightly sweet flavour with a hint of cucumber and is known for its calming properties.
Making borage tea is easy and can be done in just a few simple steps.
How to make the best borage tea - step by step:
1. Gathering Ingredients
Before you begin making borage tea, you'll need to gather your ingredients. You can use either fresh or dried borage leaves and flowers to make the tea.
If you have access to a borage plant, you can harvest fresh leaves and flowers. Make sure to choose healthy, vibrant leaves and flowers that have not been treated with pesticides or other chemicals. To harvest the borage leaves and flowers, simply snip them off the plant using clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears.
If you don't have fresh borage, you can purchase dried leaves and flowers from a health food store or online. When buying dried borage, make sure to choose a brand that uses high-quality, organic ingredients.
Once you have your borage leaves and flowers, you're ready to start making the tea.
2. Preparation
Now that you have your leaves and flowers, it's time to prepare them.
Rinse fresh borage leaves and flowers under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris. If using dried borage, skip this step.
Boil some water. The amount of water you'll need depends on how many cups of tea you want to make. A general rule of thumb is to use 1 tsp dried borage or 2 tsp fresh borage per cup of water. But you can adjust these quantities to your taste.
Add the borage leaves and flowers to the teapot. If using fresh borage, crush the leaves and flowers slightly to help release their oils and flavour.
Once the water has boiled, pour it over the borage leaves and flowers in the teapot and cover.
3. Steeping
Generally speaking, you need to steep your borage tea between 5-15 minutes.
If you prefer a stronger flavour, you can let the tea steep for longer. However, be aware that steeping the tea for too long may result in a bitter taste.
|
Type of Borage Tea |
Optimal Brewing Time |
|
Fresh Borage Leaves and Flowers |
5-7 minutes |
|
Dried Borage Leaves and Flowers |
8-10 minutes |
|
Borage and Mint Blend |
6-8 minutes |
|
Borage and Lemon Balm Blend |
7-9 minutes |
4. Straining and Serving
Carefully pour the tea through a strainer into a teacup or mug to remove the leaves and flowers. This will prevent your tea from getting too bitter.
Borage tea has a naturally mild and slightly sweet taste, but some people prefer to add a sweetener. For serving, you can add a natural sweetener such as honey, agave syrup, or stevia.
Drink your tea hot or cold, depending on your preference. If you're making iced borage tea, allow the tea to cool and then pour over ice.
Borage tea is a refreshing and calming drink that can be enjoyed any time of the day.
You can drink it plain or add other herbs such as lemon balm or mint for a more interesting flavour. Experiment with different variations and find the one that suits your taste!
Tips for making borage tea
If you're using fresh borage leaves and flowers, be sure to only pick them from plants that haven't been treated with pesticides or other chemicals.
If you're using dried borage, make sure to store it in an airtight container away from light and heat to preserve its flavor and nutritional value.
Safety and side-effects
Borage tea is generally safe for most people when consumed in moderation. However, pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid borage tea as it may stimulate contractions or affect milk production.
Borage tea might not be safe for people with liver issues.
Borage tea has a slightly diuretic effect, meaning it may increase urine production. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to avoid dehydration.
Some people may be allergic to borage or other plants in the same family, such as comfrey or forget-me-nots. If you experience any allergic reactions such as rash, itching, or difficulty breathing, stop drinking borage tea immediately and seek medical attention.
Borage tea might interfere with certain medications. It is best to consult with your doctor before taking borage tea.
Borage tea may not be safe for long-term use as it contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can damage the liver and even lead to cancer if consumed in excess amounts over a prolonged period. Borage leaves, flowers, and seeds may all contain these toxic alkaloids.
Borage Tea Recipe
Ingredients:
2 tbsp fresh or borage leaves and flowers (or 1 tbsp dried)
1 cup water
Honey or lemon (optional)
Directions:
1. If using fresh borage, rinse the leaves and flowers under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris. If using dried borage, skip this step.
2. Bring the water to a boil.
3. Add your borage leaves and flowers to the teapot and carefully pour the boiling water over them.
4. Steep the tea for 5-15 minutes and then strain.
5. If desired, add a teaspoon of honey or a squeeze of lemon to the tea.
Serve and enjoy!