Craig D Wright
An Investigation into the Therapeutic Themes of the Boraginaceae Family
Abstract
Plants in the Boraginaceae family share genetic, morphological, phytochemical and other characteristics. Working from the assumption that they will therefore also share therapeutic characteristics, the purpose of this investigation was to determine the therapeutic trends or themes of the Boraginaceae family of plants as a whole. A systematic review of the literature from a very wide range of documentary and electronic herbal, medical, ethnobotanical and other sources was conducted. A 6-phase inductive thematic analysis was carried out on this data, revealing the following themes: ‘Hard & Soft’, ‘Red & Blue’, ‘High & Low’, ‘Toxicity & Infection’, ‘Bitter & Sweet’, ‘Heals Wounds & Ulcers’, ‘Cancer & Neoplasia’, ‘Animals / Animal-like’, ‘Eye Medicines’, ‘Mind & Nerves’, ‘Mouth & Throat Medicines’ and ‘Lung & Respiratory Tract Medicines’. These themes incorporated trends in the family for species to be used as antimicrobial, vulnerary, styptic, analgesic, mucilaginous, astringent medicines in the treatment of many chronic and acute conditions. Many species have a tendency to eliminate or expel toxic substances from the body, often via a diuretic, diaphoretic, expectorant or laxative effect. Boraginaceous species are often employed for conditions which are characterised by pain, inflammation, ulceration, infection, lack of secretion or excretion, swelling and hardening or softening. Many have a history of being used to treat various types of malignancy. Boraginaceae species have effects on a number of important organs systems, in particular the lungs. Many species are employed as sweet, nutritive tonics and alteratives and have effects on the mind, notably being used for depression and memory problems.
