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Mr Fairs warns growers that growing niche crops are not for the faint-hearted and that the firm carefully matches production to market demand. Antifebrile, antidepressant, circulatory heart diseases, pulmonary complaints, inflammatory swellings, laxative, emollient [ 17] RP-HPLC—reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography, HPCE—high-performance capillary electrophoresis; UPLC-MS—ultra-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry; TLC—thin layer chromatography; 1H-NMR—nuclear magnetic resonance; FAB-MS—fast atom bombardment/mass spectrometry; UV—ultraviolet; HPLC—high-performance liquid chromatography; HPLC-PAD-MS—high-performance liquid chromatography/photodiode-array detection coupled to ion trap mass spectrometry; DAD—diode array detection; ESI-MS—electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry; CZE—capillary zone electrophoresis; CC—column chromatography; UHPLC/Q-ToF MS—ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. See S1 for an image of common antioxidants extracted from Echium. In a 6-week study, daily supplementation with at least 1.2 g of DHA significantly reduced triglyceride levels and increased “good” cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein. Plant-based extracts and phytochemicals have played a major role in treating human diseases. Despite currently being used as ornamental and garden plants, numerous Echium species have been used for millennia as folk medicine in the Mediterranean area. Petals, leaves, roots, and aerial parts have been used for a wide range of diseases, such as respiratory problems, ulcers, mental health-related issues, and wound healing. Recent studies have shown that both crude extracts and isolated compounds of Echium species exhibit promising pharmacological activities, with bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids, terpenoids, saponin, phenolic acids, and naphthoquinones, present. These bioactive compounds, either used by themselves or as mixtures, correlate well with the reported traditional ethnomedicinal uses.
It has been accepted that the products with internal usages such as tablets and capsules in Europe and America should be labeled with the warning; “products contained a relatively low concentration of PAs” ( 31). It is established that the toxicity of Symphytum L. spp. is because of PAs, and the anti-inflammatory effects of this genus are primarily because of allantoin, rosmarinic acid, and other constituents. We might conclude that the natural products prepared from Symphytum L. spp. that might withdraw the toxic components would be utilized with more confidence and efficiency ( 131). There is a part in the Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products that dealt with the safety of Symphytum L. spp. Usage during pregnancy and lactation, in which there were no sufficient data. However, these compounds are mostly removed during processing and PA-free borage supplements are widely available ( 17). In addition, omega-3 fatty acids lowered the “bad” cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), when dietary saturated fats were replaced with polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids found in plants foods such as nuts and avocados. Flaxseed oil is generally well known for its high content of ALA, (comprising around 58%) and, until recently, had bee a clear favourite source of omega-3 for non fish-eaters. However, it appears that the health benefits of flaxseed oil may not be as significant as originally thought and that vegan in particular who rely on flaxseed oil for their omega-3 may be at an increased risk of cardiovascular problems. Years of research have now given an alternative to all omega-3 followers. A novel source of omega-3, derived from the seeds of the plant Echium Plantagineum, is now easily available to vegetarians and vegans and the overwhelming health benefits are receiving a lot of attention. E. amoenum is the one species in this genus most-studied to date. It is a wild annual herb, found to have medicinal benefits utilised by the Romans in the early third century BC. Brewing or boiling of this species in water followed by ingestion was a traditional way to treat a cold or fever. Alternatively, mixing the plant leaves with wine was believed to have had a mood-enhancing effect, and this positive effect on mood was also noted by the Greek poet Homer [ 4]. In Iran, petals of this plant (locally known as ‘ Gol-e-Gavzaban’ or ‘ Lesan-al-sou’), when prepared via decoction and mixed with honey before being taken orally, produce both anxiolytic and sedative effects. Furthermore, this particular species was also consumed orally in Iran to relieve minor ailments, such as a sore throat, cough, or flu-like symptoms [ 4, 23, 24]., which correlates with the early Roman use. In other parts of the world, such as Turkey, France, and Italy, the roots and aerial part of E. amoenum were used for the treatment of mouth ulcers and respiratory infections, being reported to exhibit depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, and emollient effects [ 17, 25, 26].
Omega fatty acids refer to a class of fat that we need to include in our diets to avoid becoming deficient. While our bodies can manufacture certain types of fat, we do not have the ability to make them all. However, the term ‘omega fats’ should really be clarified; they are the name of a family of fat or ‘fatty acids’ of which there are many types, each with specific functions, but some having quite different and more important functions than others. There are two main types of omega fatty acids, both plant oil derived polyunsaturated fats: LA (the parent omega-6 fatty acid) and ALA (the parent omega-3 fatty acid). Humans are able to convert LA and ALA to more physiologically active fatty acids through a series of reactions – DGLA and AA from the omega-6 series, and EPA and DHA, from the omega-3 series. These important long-chain fatty acids are necessary for the formation of healthy cell membranes, but also for the proper development and functioning of the brain and nervous system, and for the production of hormone-like substances which regulate numerous body functions including blood pressure, immune and inflammatory responses. In a phase 2 scientific study, nitric oxide induced dilation (relaxation) of the blood vessels and led to a significant reduction in blood pressure. May reduce the risk of heart disease Echium pininana ‘Snow Tower’: for bee-smothered blooms. An all-white form of the classic tree echium. Great for attracting wildlife and will self-seed to produce next year’s plants. Böhle, U.-R., Hilger, H.H. & Martin, W.F. 2001. Island colonization and evolution of the insular woody habit in Echium L. (Boraginaceae). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 93:11740-11745.
Another species commonly used in folk medicine in the Mediterranean area is Echium vulgare [ 27, 28], commonly known as Viper’s Bugloss or Blueweed in English (‘ Havaciva’ in Turkish ethnobotany). The root of E. vulgare has been used to help improve wound healing, bruising, pulled muscles, ligaments, and sprains in both Turkey and Germany [ 27, 28, 29, 30]. In Turkey, an ointment was prepared as a mixture of the cooked root with butter, which was then applied to these injuries topically [ 27]. Additionally, the aerial anatomy, leaves, and flowers can be used medicinally as a diuretic and cough medicine [ 31]. Furthermore, E. vulgare has been utilised as a remedy for viper snake bites and scorpion stings [ 32, 33, 34]. Unfortunately, the details for treatment of snake bites and cough is poorly documented, with no detail of preparations available. The company is now looking to take on new growers this season, especially as there is limited echium oil produced in the UK.
Plants
Elevated triglycerides and LDL cholesterol are linked to an increased risk for metabolic syndrome and heart disease. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to exert anti-inflammatory effects in the human body and may aid in lowering markers of inflammation, such as C-reactive protein and interleukin-6. Aerial parts of Symphytum, Aerial parts of Lithospermum, Aerial parts of Nonea, Aerial parts and roots of Pulmonaria Further studies should be conducted to determine how borage oil could affect skin health when administered orally or topically. summary
Oil market regulations concerning contaminate residues are becoming increasingly stricter, making active use and timings even more of a challenge. Height: 80cm-1.8 metres.Known as the Pride of Madeira, with 12” spikes of purple-blue flowers open on strong branching stems in spring and summer. Can be classed as a perennial in a large pot or a very protected garden to become a long-lived small tree.Importantly, many reports exist regarding the evaluation of antioxidant activity for species in the genus, not recorded in the English ethnomedicinal literature. The antioxidant activity of hydromethanolic root extracts of E. pycnanthum (a subspecies of E. humile Desf.) collected in southern Algeria was reported on by Chaouche et al. [ 54]. The results obtained using DPPH, iron-reducing power, ABST, iron chelation, and β-carotene assays showed a high flavonoid content of 16.26 ± 1.4 mg of CE/g DW. E. sericeum (E. creticum), a species found in Egypt, also exhibited antioxidant effects in a DPPH assay [ 55]. This was speculated to, likewise, be due to the presence of the flavonoids in the extract. E. rauwolfii was found to have the highest scavenging activity at IC 50 = 14.3 μg when extracted with butanol, whilst the ethyl acetate extract presented the weakest activity at IC 50 = 432.3 μg [ 56]. Sarra Kefi et al. [ 57] indicated that the ethyl acetate extracts of the aerial parts of E. arenarium grown in Tunisia were characterised by a high antioxidant activity with the highest TPC compared to those obtained from hydroethanolic, aqueous, and cyclohexane extracts. These extracts consequently showed the best DPPH inhibition (IC 50 = 1.1 μg/mL) and β-carotene bleaching inhibition (IC 50 = 9.94 μg/mL). Importantly, the genus Echium, based on the various ethnomedicinal uses reported, would be expected to produce promising bioactive constituents. However, we note that the current studies published are limited by reliable characterisation and identification of the isolated classes of phytochemicals as well as investigations on their biological activity at the molecular level, which includes mechanistic studies. Several studies have found that borage extract could help relieve symptoms of asthma by decreasing inflammation and swelling in the airways.
Unlike borage, echium also has varies in yield each season. It also has a relatively low propensity to shed seed which means volunteers pose little threat. Kleonikos G. Stavridakis , Κλεόνικος Γ. Σταυριδάκης (2006). Wild edible plants of Crete - Η Άγρια βρώσιμη χλωρίδα της Κρήτης. Rethymnon Crete. ISBN 960-631-179-1. The same review concluded that high-dose daily supplementation with 4 g of purified EPA in people with elevated triglycerides levels led to a 25% reduction in cardiovascular events. Shirin Adel Pilerood and Jamuna Prakash [ 50] reported in their study that a water extract of E. amoenum showed the highest antioxidant properties in a DPPH assay, whereas the acetone extracts showed the least activity. Petals of this species exhibited higher total phenolic content (TPC) (1540 mg/100 g), total flavonoid content (TFC) (4.54 ± 0.042 mg), and tannin content (2.47 ± 0.064 mg) when extracted by hot water. Overall, the antioxidant properties of E. amoenum could explain many of the biologically significant outcomes as recorded in the ethnomedicinal record. Moreover, this tradition of using tea (particularly in Iran) as a vehicle could be clinically significant, as water-based formulations are biologically applicable compared to organic solvents as formulations. However, it is always important to remember that water stable and soluble phytochemicals are not always bioavailable [ 53], and therefore hot water extracted phytochemicals from E. amoenum require further pharmacological investigation. Additionally, a limited number of steroids have been isolated from Echium to date. Stigmast-4-ene-3,6-dione and β-sitosterol were identified in E. vulgare. β-sitosterol is reported to have a significant antioxidant capacity [ 97, 98]. It is likely more steroids of this type will be identified in other species with time, as phytochemicals appear to be highly conserved within this genus.Hyperactivity, nervousness, general weakness, eczema and dermatological ailments, analgesic, aphrodisiac, diaphoretic [ 41] This season, Fairking is offering additional contracts for new echium growers. The company currently has a list of 50 loyal famers across the UK, supplying their company with niche crops. Harvest usually commences during the first week of August. As echium is an indeterminate plant, where it continues to flower and set seed throughout the growing season, a swather is used to cut the crop pre-harvest. Echium auberianum Echium candicans ('Pride of Madeira') Echium judaeum Echium horridum Echium rauwolfii Flowers of Echium hierrense is a species native to El Hierro.
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