Since I have rattled on in several articles now about herbs for emotional uses – so far herbs for the emotional heart and to ease anger – it seemed appropriate to write about the courage bringing herbs, since I have already mentioned them repeatedly in other articles. This article will examine some of the herbs used to bring courage, and to compare them in order to determine which is better in certain circumstances and will better suit particular temperaments – excessively cold, or excessively hot, for example. This is because herbs to bring, foster or increase courage were used increasingly throughout my third year at university, and I think that some time spent examining these herbs in a little more detail would be well spent, in particular to ascertain which herbs suit different personality types better. Three main herbs will be examined – these are Borage (Borago officinalis), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) – no surprise there, huh - and Yarrow (Achillea millefolium). The physical uses will be examined briefly, but the majority of this report will be focused on the emotional uses of the herbs. There's a wide variety of other herbs that can be used to bring courage, such as Centaury (Centaurea erythraea), which I may write further on in the future. For now, though, the reader will just have to content themselves with the 'big three', mentioned above and covered in more detail below.

Borage - Borago officinalis As the old saying goes, ‘Borago ego gaudia semper ago’ or ‘I, Borage, bring always courage’ – the question is, is this because the herb acts on the adrenal glands to slowly rebuild adrenal reserves, or is it for a more spiritual, energetic purpose? Modern research has shown that Borage stimulates the adrenal glands and secretion of adrenaline. I've noticed that Borage used in a formula for a patient struggling with fearfulness will usually enhance and engender courage, even if used in such a small quantity as to be energetic only and not in sufficient quantity to act on the adrenal glands in a material way. It is also interesting to note that out of the three herbs picked, Borage would definitely be classed as the coldest. It would not be suitable for anyone with a cold constitution or a phlegmatic or melancholy disorder – unless, of course, it was combined with Rosemary. I've used all three in prescriptions before and had some success with all three, as, combined, they become amphoteric, or neutral and balancing. Borage has a reputation for being ‘heartening’ – increasing optimism and joy in life. This could well be partly due to the adrenal tonic effects, although it would be interesting to do further research using drop doses of the herb. It would also be fascinating to find out whether or not the flowers yield the same adrenal tonic effect as the rest of the plant when prepared as a tincture, as well as whether or not the flower tincture provides the same action of courage, or whether it has a totally different effect on the human emotions. Since Borage contains liver toxic PAs (pyrollizidine alkaloids) I'd also be interested to see if the flower tincture contains the same PA's or if there are less or even none – starflower oil is a popular supplement in health food shops, and it does not seem to contain any PAs.

Yarrow - Achillea millefolium Yarrow is used for the ‘wounded warrior, wounded healer’– as well as those who are struggling with overwhelming problems, to reinforce courage and reassure them that the daylight will come again. This certainly matches with its neutral temperament, being neither excessively hot or cold in the author’s opinion. This neutral tendency helps make the ‘wounded warrior, wounded healer’ use more understandable – it restores courage to more natural levels, and could probably be used for those for whom courage has become foolhardiness (to be diplomatic about it) as well as for those who are too sensitive. It is also a useful circulatory herb, normalizing circulation around the body. Yarrow is used for cuts to the blood and cuts to the bone – I think that it can also be used for cuts to the soul. This is evident in some ways in the plant itself – the leaves form a basal rosette and grow in opposing pairs up the stalk, but the white flower head forms some way above the main leaves, suggesting the body with its cuts leading to the head and the soul, with any damage the head and soul may gain. Yarrow is a powerful styptic, and was used by the centaur Chiron to staunch bleeding. It was given to the hero Achilles and was known as Soldier’s Woundwort – it would be interesting to find out if this was solely because of its blood staunching action or if it was also for its ability to give courage.

Yarrow is carried for psychic protection as well – it is possible that, carrying this action one step further, it can be used to give a person the protection necessary to rebuild reserves and rebuild courage in order to face the world. It would work well with Rosemary for this purpose – Yarrow providing the quiet space to regroup, and Rosemary providing the clarity to gain perspective on things, with the courage to improve or correct things where necessary.

Rosemary - Rosmarinus officinalis Rosemary is a warming, stimulating, diffusive digestive and cardiovascular tonic. It also brings courage, as well as granting clarity. I think it brings a more abstract courage, and the perspective to see and do what needs to be done in a non biased way. Rosemary is used energetically to open the heart in people who are full of anger, grief and hatred, who are unable to allow themselves to love. I think this is very indicative of the kind of courage that Rosemary allows – as it is very hard to feel courage towards life when such negative emotions are trapped in the heart. Rosemary is for those who have set too high ideals for themselves which they constantly strive for and fail to reach. It is used for those who are too open hearted – showing that again, a balancing action is inherent. Rosemary would combine well with Borage to engender courage in people who suffer from adrenal deficiency, or alternatively, it could be used alone in small quantities to have an energetic effect on people who struggle to have courage towards life due to ill treatment. It could also be used to help with problem solving, where a patient needs to make decisions but is unable to and finds him or herself trapped in indecision, particularly where this indecision is causing them to become wounded or to inflict wounds on others. It will give the courage to act as well as the clarity to see clearly what is appropriate for the situation.

Rosemary is a warming herb and would be best used for phlegmatic or melancholic people, or people with phlegmatic or melancholic imbalances – i.e cold, damp conditions. Personally, I love the herb, and use it to give me a little lift when I feel as if life is swamping me and leaving me paralysed and unsure which way to turn.

Notes and Musings It is interesting to note that the three main herbs I've used for courage are used for the heart and adrenals. The use of Borage to rebuild adrenal reserves is not particularly surprising given its association with courage – since the fight or flight response originates with the adrenal glands, it makes sense that Borage could enhance the fight response rather than the flight response, given long enough treatment. It is, however, interesting that all three herbs have an action on the heart, with Borage being described by many different authors as ‘heartening’, providing more joy and enthusiasm for life, Yarrow being an excellent circulatory tonic and balancer of courage and timidity, and Rosemary being used to bring lion like courage, as a heart tonic and circulatory tonic. The three of them together might make an interesting tonic wine for the heart and adrenals.

Some comments on the possible link between courage and the heart may also be relevant here. I strongly feel that there's a profound link between courage and the heart – as can be seen in the phrases ‘heartening’ – to bring courage, and ‘open hearted’ – someone who is good natured and open, an attitude that takes considerable courage in this day and age. Also, if one is ‘broken hearted’ it is harder to summon the courage to live life to the full. Lastly, it is important to distinguish between courage and rashness, given that it is possible to step over the border and lose the ability to distinguish between living life with courage and living life with foolhardiness. The herbs mentioned above will almost certainly also provide balance for those who throw themselves at life too recklessly – although again, background research into why the patient is like this would also be necessary. Some people behave in such a way as they are on self destruct. Others do it because they are self confessed ‘adrenaline junkies’.

I think that all three herbs together would work well as a combined drop dosage to improve courage – this could be added to main mixes if necessary as well in energetic quantities. Future research could be done to determine whether the fresh, hand made tinctures are more effective than the tinctures made by large companies. What would be especially interesting would be if when the plants were gathered made a difference to which aspect of their personalities was manifested in the final tincture.