Borage is an annual flowering herb from the Boraginaceae family. It traditionally derives from the Mediterranean region, and it is used for medicinal, edible, and ornamental purposes. It goes by several other names such as starflower, the herb of courage, bugloss, and bee bread. And this plant has a striking appearance with its clusters of delicate blue flowers contrasting against the hairy green and maroon stalks. On average it will grow to a height of two to three feet and much like comfrey, it has a long tap root that can penetrate deep into the soil. It is a wonderful pollinator plant to add to your garden, and when the pollen from these flowers is collected by the bees, it can result in a honey with a very unique flavor that is also said to have a calming effect on the nerves.
One of the beautiful things about borage is that almost every part of it is edible. The leaves, the flowers, and the seeds from this plant can be used, and both the leaves and the flowers have a very subtle and refreshing cucumber-like taste. The seeds are typically harvested for the oil, which can also be ingested. But the oil is also commonly used in skincare products. The flowers and leaves may be eaten raw or cooked. You can add them to your salads or cook them in a delicious soup or stir fry. They can also be picked fresh and placed into your water or other drinks to add a little extra flavor. And they may also be dehydrated to make a lovely herbal tea. Here are a few recipes that you may like to try out:
Borage Tea:
When selecting leaves for the tea, make sure you opt for the younger leaves as the more mature they are, they more of those prickly hairs they will have. These hairs can cause irritation, so make sure to use caution as well when harvesting.
After harvesting the leaves, rinse them under cold water to wash away any dirt or bugs.
They may be air dried by placing them onto a cookie sheet or hanging them up in a dry location for a few weeks. They may also be placed into a dehydrator at 135 degrees until dry to the touch and the leaves show a dark green.
Once they are dried, they may be stored in a dry air-tight container for up to a year. And the flowers may be done in the same manor.
Once you are ready to make the tea, take 1 Tbsp of herbs and add them to a cup of hot water. Allow it to steep for 15 minutes and then strain the herbs.
If you would prefer to use fresh leaves or flowers then make the tea directly after harvesting and use 1/4 cup, steeping for the same amount of time.
Please use caution when making this tea because if you use it long term on a regular basis, it could potentially cause liver and lung toxicity. This is due to the pyrrolizidine alkaloids it contains. These compounds are present within the entire plant, but they are found in higher concentrations within the leaves and seeds.
Cucumber Borage Salad:
Ingredients:
Thinly sliced cucumber
Fennel seeds
Salt + pepper
Parsley
Basil
Sorrel
Borage flowers
Apple cider vinegar
Olive oil
Directions:
Thinly slice your cucumber and place them in a colander for an hour to let them drain.
Move to a large bowl and toss the cucumber with vinegar, olive oil, fennel, salt and pepper.
Arrange the seasoned cucumber on a serving dish of choice and add the herbs and borage.
Serve immediately.
Borage Fritters:
Ingredients:
15 borage leaves
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
2/3 cup water
2 Tbs parmesan cheese
2 eggs beaten
Salt + pepper
1 tsp thyme
Oil for frying
Directions:
Cut the borage leaves into strips.
Make the batter by mixing the dry ingredients first, then make a well in the center and add the beaten eggs and water.
Stir in the borage leaves.
Using a Tbs, spoon dollops of batter mix into hot frying oil and fry until golden and puffed up. Try not to make the portions too big as this makes them harder to cook through to the center without overcooking the outside.
Image Credit: Gardener’s Path
How to Grow Borage:
Borage is most suitable for growth in zones 2-11. And much like other native Mediterranean herbs, it does not require a lot of maintenance. This plant is not too finicky when it comes to water or soil type, and it can even be grown in clay or sandy soils. As long as the soil is getting enough drainage then this plant will thrive. And of course, it would do well if you chose to add in a bit of compost. It is best to sow the seeds directly into the garden either in full sun or partial shade. Although if you would prefer to start them indoors you absolutely could.
If you decide to grow this herb in a container, just keep in mind that it does require a good depth considering it has a lengthy tap root. It would be good to start out with a container that is at least 12x12 to allow it ample room to grow. And if you choose to start them indoors, make sure the containers you are using are large enough as well. And if they are inside, start them about three to four weeks before the last frost. If you are sowing outdoors, plant the seeds in the spring after the last frost has passed. You can visit the Farmer’s Almanac to get a list of average frost dates for your area.
The seeds should be planted about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep and loosely covered with a top layer of soil. Make sure not to disturb the seeds too much when watering and keep the soil moist for proper germination. It will take approximately one to two weeks for germination, and it will reach maturity in about eight weeks. Make sure to space your plants about twelve inches apart. And if you are transplanting, you can move them out to the garden when they are around six to eight inches in height. Just be sure to harden them off properly before placing them into the ground. They do require regular watering, but they will do just fine if the soil is allowed to dry out for a bit between waterings. If you find that the first few inches of soil are dry, go ahead and give it a good watering.
Uses and Benefits:
Borage has adaptogenic, demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, sedative, and anti-inflammatory properties. Its use comes along with some wonderful benefits such as stimulating skin and hair growth, maintaining bone health, regulating metabolism, and maintaining the reproductive system, and it supports the production of breast milk. It has also been shown to assist with a variety of ailments such as:
Fever
Cough
Depression
Eczema
Psoriasis
Acne
Asthma
Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoporosis
Gastrointestinal problems
Diabetic nerve pain
Menopausal symptoms
Mastalgia
Breast cancer
Diabetes
Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder
Acute respiratory distress syndrome
Heart disease
Hypertension
Stroke
Adrenal insufficiency
Bronchitis and other respiratory illnesses
Borage is a rich source of vitamin C and vitamin A, and it contains moderate amounts of B vitamins, especially Niacin. It also has good amounts of essential minerals such as iron, calcium, potassium, manganese, copper, zinc, and magnesium.
Source: USDA National Nutrient Data Base
Image Credit: Potion Organic
But the main super star of this herb is something called gamma-linolenic acid. GLA is an omega-6 fatty acid. Typically, when consuming higher levels of omega-6, or when the amounts consumed are not in balance with the levels of omega-3, they are known to cause inflammation within the body. Most omega-6 fatty acids in the diet come from vegetable or seed oils in the form of linoleic acid. But this fatty acid is special in the sense that it is the only omega-6 that does not cause any inflammation. Mostly all of the omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids are not naturally produced by the body and must be acquired through the diet. And these fats are essential for brain health and function, growth and development, and healthy cell production. GLA in particular has also been shown to help protect the DNA, and it has phenomenal effects on the skin, hair, and nails. Other good sources of GLA are primrose oil and black seed oil, but borage oil is the richest source. If you choose to supplement with the oil, it can either be consumed straight or added to your food or drinks, or it can be taken in capsule form. And make sure that if you decide to go this route, you purchase it from a reputable company and assure that the oil is cold-pressed and hexane-free.
As with taking any herb or herbal supplement, please check with your doctor before use if you are experiencing any health issues or are taking any medications.