Indian Borage -- Effective Cough Remedy from your herb garden

The Indian borage first came to my notice when I was suffering from a bad cough, and a friend suggested chewing the leaves of this plant she had growing in her garden. Apparently, even her son, a doctor, found it helpful when more conventional medicines didn't help. And she was right, the leaves provided almost immediate relief. So of course I had to go plant one of my own, which led to me checking out sites and books to find out more about the Indian borage.

In the process, I discovered that it makes a wonderful addition to a herb garden, with its many culinary and medicinal uses (more that I would ever have imagined). And, if you're like me, a beginner gardener, it's encouraging to grow a plant which thrives without much care.

The Indian Borage (Plectranthus barbatus) has heart-shaped leaves with scalloped edges, and the typical four-cornered stem of the Lamiaceae family. The thick, succulent leaves are entirely covered with short, fine hairs. Try lightly brushing the hairs, and you'll get a pungent aroma. The plant typically grows to about 50 cm in height.

Although there is no definitive answer on where this plant originated from, most botanists say that the Indian borage possibly came from Africa. Today, they're found growing wild and cultivated in many tropical and subtropical regions, where they're used in cooking and for healing purposes. They also make pretty ornamental plants.

There is a version with variegated white-edged leaves -- Plectranthus amboinicus 'Variegata' -- which looks particularly attractive as an ornamental plant, especially when planted in hanging baskets or grown as a garden border.

In terms of flavour and aroma, the Indian borage has similarities to herbs such oregano, sage, thyme, mint; hence the many, often confusing, names given to it in various parts of the world (see box on right).

It is also apparently used as a substitute for oregano in the food trade; food labelled "oregano-flavoured" may well contain this herb.

• Coughs and sore throats The leaves are commonly used in India and Southeast Asia to treat coughs. It is known to be an effective expectorant. The simplest method is to chew a leaf. You can also make a tea by boiling the leaves in water (in the Caribbean, they add honey to the tea). Or you can pound the leaves and mix with a little water.
• Blocked nose Rub the leaves, and inhale the vapour.
  
• Burns, Sores, Insect Bites and Stings, and skin conditions such as eczema Pound the leaves to a pulp, and then apply as a poultice.
• Dandruff. Wash hair with an infusion of the leaves (incidentally, the infusion can also be used to rinse your clothes).

The tea made from the leaves of the Indian borage is also used in many parts of the world, from the Caribbean to India, for treating:

• Bronchitis
• Asthma
• Colds, flus, other viral conditions
• Indigestion, flatulence, stomach cramps
• Insomnia
• Pain (Headaches, menstrual pain, rheumatoid pain)

In some parts of Indonesia, the herb is used in a soup given to new mothers to help increase milk flow.

The strong flavour and aroma of the Indian borage leaves make them ideal for flavouring certain meats and fish, helping to mask their strong smell. The leaves may be used as a potherb, or to make stuffing and marinade. Of course, the herb has to used to be use sparingly so as not to overpower the flavour of the meat/fish.

It's used in many places around the world to add a punch to dishes:

• Flavouring for meat and fish dishes, as mentioned earlier (Africa, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean)
• Seasoning for fish and mutton curries (Southeast Asia)
• Condiment for sour soup (Vietnam)
• Eaten raw with bread and butter, fried in batter, flavouring for beer and wine (India)
• Salads (the Caribbean)
• Principal flavouring used in the Cuban black bean soup, Frijoles Negros.
  

The easiest way to propagate the Indian Borage is to use stem cuttings (Seeds can also be used, where available).

Cut a length of the central stem. Each segment should be approximately 5-8 inches and have several nodes. Remove the leaves from the bottom two to three nodes and insert into the soil.

It's important to make sure your pot has good drainage. Ideally, the soil should be moist. Take care not to overwater as this plant does not like wet conditions.

If you live in the tropical or subtropical areas, place the plant in semi-shade. If the amount of sun is right, the leaves should be a nice jade-green. If it is getting too much sun, the leaves turn yellow and start curling; not enough sun, and the leaves turn a dark shade of green.

In cooler regions, the plant can be placed in full sun. As it is susceptible to frost, you may want to grow it in a pot which can be moved indoors or to more sheltered areas during winter.