Leaf: Oval, pointed, alternate, roughly,
hairy, 4" long and 1-1/2" wide
Flower: Five intensely blue star shaped
petals, prominent purple stamen column, flower to 1" wide in
drooping clusters. Blooms April through October
Seed: Black
Borage, Borago
officinalis
Borage is a beautiful plant that has had a reputation
for making men (and presumably women) merry, since the days of the
early Greeks. Maybe the Greek proven"I Borage, bring always
courage" was the basis of a curious tradition in the days of
the Crusades. As the crusaders marched off to battle, their sweethearts
bid them adieu by placing the star-shaped blossom of the borage
in the wine cup. They went forth full of courage and vigor.
During the Middle Ages, borage flowers were embroidered
on scarves and presented to warriors before battle as an emblem
of courage. Taken as a tonic by competitors before tournaments and
jousts in England, borage was believed to exhilarate the mind. Its
popular names are indicative of it other attributes: herb of gladness,
cool tankard, bee bread, and burrage.
Plants grow up to 3 feet high. Gray-green leaves
are covered with bristly whitish hairs that can reach to 6 inches
long. During summer, lovely blue, star-shaped flowers droop downward.
Foliage and flowers do not emit a fragrance but produce a fresh,
cucumber like flavor.
Planting and Care.
Seeds are large and easy to sow in place. Accepts
any well-drained soil. After seedlings are up and growing keep on
the dry side; over-watering will kill the plants. Borage will grow
in sun or partial shade and self sows. Allow at least two feet off
space between neighboring plants. Once you plant borage, you'll
likely have volunteer seedlings for years to come.
Harvesting and Use.
Good companion plant with tomatoes, and strawberries,
repelling tomato worms. Honeybees are attracted to the flowers,
which help increase pollination of surrounding plants.
In the kitchen, tender young leaves and stems are
chopped and added to green salads, spreads, and fruit and wine drinks,
imparting a cool cucumber flavor. Scrape long hairs from large stems
and chop before adding to salads or steeping in beverages.
Floating borage flowers in punch bowls and summer
drinks is a tradition, and they are especially striking frozen in
ice cubes. For an unusual, striking cake decoration, dip borage
flowers in egg white, coat with sugar and dry.
CAUTION: Borage is high in potassium and calcium.
However, when consumed in large quantities over a long period of
time, it can cause liver damage. Use in moderation.
Uses:
Cucumber flavored juicy leaves in fruit cups, summer
punches, fruit drinks, salads, garnishes; candied flowers for confectionery
and cake decoration. Can be used as a spinach substitute, is rich
in calcium and potassium.
Medicinal:
Leaves for poultices, diuretic; an infusion of the
leaves for coughs, the whole plant contains mucilage which gives
it its demulcent quality.
Borage Infusion
Use a teaspoon of dried flowers,
or 2 to 3 teaspoons dried leaves with a cup boiling water.
Steep for 5 minutes then strain before drinking.
Modern research indicates that borage tea stimulates adrenaline,
the "fight or flight" hormone,
which primes the body for action in moments of danger.
Read our Archived Herb Articles
Coriander, Cilantro,Coriandrum sativum Coriander, Cilantro was our herb of the month in September 2007. CLICK HERE
Lemon Balm,Melissa officinalis Lemon Balm was our herb of the month in August 2007. CLICK HERE
Basil, Ocimum basilicum Basil was our herb of the month in July 2007. CLICK HERE
Epazote,(Chenopodium amborsiodes)
Epazote was our herb of the month in June 2007. CLICK HERE
Sage,(Salvia species)
Sage was our herb of the month in May 2007. CLICK HERE
Lavender Lavender was our herb of the month in April 2007. CLICK HERE
Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis
Our herb of the month in March 2007. CLICK
HERE
Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis
Our herb of the month in February 2007. CLICK
HERE
Tarragon, Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa
Our herb of the month in January 2007. CLICK
HERE
Ginger, Zingiber officinale
Our herb of the month in November 2006. CLICK
HERE
Chamomile, Roman or German Chamaemelum nobile or Matricaria recutita
Our herb of the month in October 2006. CLICK
HERE
Nasturtium, Tropaeolum majus
Our herb of the month in September 2006. CLICK
HERE
Horsetail, Equisetum arvense
Our herb of the month in August 2006. CLICK
HERE
Cayenne,Capsicum frutescens
Our herb of the month in June 2006. CLICK
HERE
Lemon Verbena, Lippia citriodoro
Our herb of the month in May 2006 . CLICK
HERE
Scented
Geranium,(Pelargonium
species)
Our herb of the month in April 2006 and Herb of the Year 2006 . CLICK
HERE
Mexican Mint Marigold, (Tagetes Lucida)
Our herb of the month in March 2006. CLICK
HERE
Rose, Rosa Species Revisit Rose, our herb of the month in February 2005.CLICK
HERE
Sweet Bay, (Grecian Laurel)
Laurus nobilis
Our herb of the month in January 2006. CLICK
HERE
Herbs of the Bible
Our herb of the month in Decembers 2005. CLICK
HERE
Sage, (Salvia species)
Sage was our herb of the month in November 2005. CLICK
HERE
Lemongrass, (Cymbopogon citratus)Tender perennial Lemongrass was our herb of the month in October 2005. CLICK
HERE
Dandelion, Taraxacum
officinale Dandelion was our herb of the month in September 2005. CLICK
HERE
Borage, Borago officinalis Borage was our herb of the month in August 2005. CLICK
HERE
Basil,Ocimum basilicum Basil was our herb of the month in July 2005. CLICK HERE
Scented Geranium,
Pelargonium
species Parsley was our herb of the month in May/June 2005. CLICK
HERE
Parsley, Petroselinum
sativum Parsley was our herb of the month in March/April
2005. CLICK
HERE
Rose, Rosa Species Rose was our herb of the month in February 2005. CLICK
HERE
Arugula, Roquette, Eruca vesiceria sub, sativa Arugula was our herb of the month in January 2005.
CLICK
HERE
Calendula, Pot Marigold, Calendula officinalis Calendula was our herb of the month in December 2004.
CLICK
HERE
Winter Savory, Satureja
Montana Winter Savory was our herb of the month in November
2004. CLICK
HERE
Coriander, Cilantro, Coriandrum sativum Echinacea was our herb of the month in October 2004.
CLICK
HERE
Echinacea (Purple Coneflower) Echinacea was our herb of the month in September
2004. CLICK
HERE
Lemon Verbena Mint was our herb of the month in August 2004. CLICK HERE
Mint Mint was our herb of the month in July 2004. CLICK HERE
Hoja Santum Hoja Santum was our herb of the month in June 2004. CLICK
HERE
Lavender Lavender was our herb of the month in May 2004. CLICK HERE
Thyme Thyme was our herb of the month in April 2004. CLICK HERE
Oregano Oregano was our herb of the month in October 2003.
CLICK
HERE
Peppermint Ideas Peppermint was our herb of the month in August 2003.
Our readers sent in these ideas on how they use peppermint. CLICK HERE
