Full Answer
What does borage plant look like?
Flowers: Borage has brilliant, blue flowers that are star-shaped with prominent black anthers forming a cone-like structure. Fields of Nutrition has medicinal benefits and vitamin/mineral content of Borage. Leaves: The leaves are broadly ovate and stalked and measure between 4 and 10 cm. in length.
What is borage?
What is Borage? Borage is the common name for Borago officinalis. It is also known as starflower. This is an annual flowering plant. It flowers from around June right through to October in most temperate climates, and grows to around two feet in height at a medium rate.
Do you eat the leaves of borage?
Even if you don’t eat the leaves or flowers, it is just a beautiful plant to have in the garden, or in pots on your balcony. Borage is a great addition to a garden. Honestly, Borage is one of my new favorite plants! You should really try it out! Just wondering how you eat the leaves because they have prickles??
How do you pick borage leaves?
It’s wise to handle the plant with gloves while picking borage leaves and even in the kitchen if you know or think you may be susceptible. When picking borage leaves, select the young ones, which will have less of the little hairs. Continual harvesting and deadheading will allow for a longer period of use.
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What can borage leaves be used for?
Borage flower and leaves are used for fever, cough, and depression. Borage is also used for a hormone problem called adrenal insufficiency, for "blood purification," to increase urine flow, to prevent inflammation of the lungs, as a sedative, and to promote sweating.
Are borage leaves safe to eat?
In traditional medicine, borage has been used to dilate blood vessels, act as a sedative, and treat seizures ( 5 ). Both the leaves and flowers of the plant are edible and commonly used as a garnish, dried herb, or vegetable in a variety of drinks and dishes.
What does borage foliage look like?
Borage leaves are small to medium in size and wide to ovate in shape, averaging 5-15 centimeters long. The green leaves, buds, and stems are covered in fine white bristles that give the plant a soft silver sheen, and these bristles can become sharp and prickly with maturity.
What does a borage plant look like?
Distinguishing Features. Borage is a somewhat gangly plant, but because the star-shaped flowers are so vibrant, this isn't really noticed. They're brilliant blue, hanging in downward facing clusters. As the plant matures the stalks and leaves become covered with prickly fuzz.
Why do farmers grow borage?
One of the main reasons for planting Borage here at Hillfarm is to boost our population of bees, and help them to make our delicious hillfarm honey. Bees absolutely love Borage, and when the flowers bloom they will start collecting the pollen.
Is borage toxic to dogs?
Unfortunately, these plants are not good for your dog or other small animals, causing intestinal upset, respiratory distress, and can be fatal if not treated right away. If you think your dog has eaten borage, it is essential to take your furry friend to the veterinarian or animal hospital right away.
Does borage come back every year?
While not as common as thyme or basil, borage herb (Borago officinalis) is a unique plant for the culinary garden. It grows quickly as an annual but will colonize a corner of the garden by self-seeding and reappearing year after year.
Should I cut back borage?
Cut back borage plants by half their size in midsummer to encourage reblooming. Blossom clusters make beautiful but short-lived cut flowers or edible garnishes.
Is comfrey and borage the same thing?
Though they are members of the same plant family (Boraginaceae), perennial comfrey (Symphytum officinale, USDA zones 4-8) and annual borage (Borago officinalis) are two different plants. These cousins both boast dark green foliage and fuzzy leaves.
What does borage attract?
Borage flowers attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies to the garden, which are essential for plant reproduction. Borage also benefits gardens by attracting beneficial insects for natural pest control of common garden pests.
What can you not plant near borage?
The borage companion plant is said to repel tomato worms and cabbage worms because borage attracts beneficial insects, such as bees and tiny wasps....Plants That Grow Well with BorageTomatoes.Cabbage.Squash.Strawberries.
How do you prepare borage to eat?
Wash young borage leaves and remove stalks. Chop finely and cook in a little butter in a covered saucepan over a very low heat. Season to taste. The dampness of the washed leaves should be enough to keep them from sticking to the bottom; they should soon be tender and their hairy texture disappears when cooked.
What part of borage is medicinal?
Borage is a plant. Its flowers and leaves, as well as the oil from its seeds are used as medicine.
How do you harvest and eat borage?
Pick borage flowers before they are fully open. The flowers are edible and make colorful additions to salads. Pull the leaves and flowers off with your fingers or clip them with scissors. Discard any brown or withered portions.
Are borage and comfrey the same thing?
Though they are members of the same plant family (Boraginaceae), perennial comfrey (Symphytum officinale, USDA zones 4-8) and annual borage (Borago officinalis) are two different plants. These cousins both boast dark green foliage and fuzzy leaves.
What color is borage?
Blooming over a long portion of the year, borage can bring a cheery splash of blue to your garden. Its delicate flowers stand out against a sea of green, and can add to the visual amenity of your space.
When does Borage bloom?
It flowers from around June right through to October in most temperate climates, and grows to around two feet in height at a medium rate. In warmer climes it may even bloom almost continuously for most of the year. Borage is native to the Mediterranean region and has naturalized elsewhere.
Why Grow Borage in Your Garden?
There are a great many reasons why you should consider growing borage in your garden. It is useful both while it is in growth, and as a crop for harvesting.
Why are borage flowers blue?
These beautiful flowers are generally blue, though pink flowers are occasionally also observed, and there are also white-flowered cultivars. The flowers are generally a deeper blue when the plants are grown in poorer soil conditions. Borage is relatively unfussy when it comes to growing conditions.
How to use borage in a garden?
Another way to incorporate borage into your garden plan is to use it as a green manure or cover crop, which gathers nutrients, protects the soil and attracts beneficial wildlife before being chopped and dropped to feed the soil ready for the next crop in rotation. Using Borage as an Edible Crop.
Why add borage to compost?
Adding borage to your compost heap can also help make sure you have a nutrient-rich and well balanced compost at the end of the process.
Why are bees attracted to borage flowers?
Bees tend to be attracted to purple/ blue flowers, and the simple structure of borage flowers means that the nectar is easy for bees and other pollinators to access. 10. So It Also Aids in Effective Pollination.
What is borage used for?
Borage’s most important use is in your vegetable garden where it attracts beneficial insects . The flowers are bee magnets. The plant also repels pests . I have used it successfully in my garden to repel both the cucumber beetle and the tomato hornworm. The first time that I grew it with tomatoes, I didn’t deadhead it.
How long are the leaves of a sage plant?
The leaves are large, 2 to 5 inches long, gray green and covered with stiff hairs making them plant deer resistant. The flowers are star shaped and bright blue. Immature flowers are pink until they are fully open. Less commonly seen is a cultivar that has white flowers. Bloom time is late spring through summer. Keep it deadheaded so that it doesn’t go to seed until your crops are harvested.
How long does it take for a sage plant to germinate?
Plant them ½ inch deep and keep them moist. Optimum soil temperature is 70⁰F. Germination should occur within 5 to 15 days. Transplant your seedlings outdoors when the soil has warmed and all danger of frost has passed.
Is boreage invasive?
Borage is a prolific self-sower to the point of invasiveness. I always warn people to not let it go to seed or they will find hundreds of seedlings the following spring. The upside is that you then have lots of seedlings to share with gardening friends!
When does borage bloom?
The bloom period is different for various climates and growing zones. In our garden, borage will bloom from mid-spring to early fall.
What is borage in gardening?
Functional. Therapeutic. What am I talking about you say? Why borage of course!#N#Borage is a wonderful plant to have around the garden. Borage ( Borago officinalis ), also known as starflower, bee bush, bee bread, and bugloss, is a medicinal herb with edible leaves and flowers. In my garden, borage and sunflowers share the honor of being bee hot-spots.
What is borage used for?
The leaves can of course be used as a salad green and the flowers as edible decorations, but to stop there would be an insult to the wide variety of uses for borage.
How big do sage plants grow?
The plants can easily grow to be 3 feet (91 cm) tall and 2 feet (61 cm) wide , so give them room to grow, and let them shade your partial sun plants. Treat this easy-to-keep herb well and it will reward you with scores of beautiful flowers, lush foliage, and fertile soils. Happy planting!
Is gamma linolenic acid a GLA?
This herb is also the highest known plant source of gamma-linolenic acid ( an Omega 6 fatty acid, also known as GLA) and the seed oil is often marketed as a GLA supplement. It is also a source of B vitamins, beta-carotene, fiber, choline, and, again, trace minerals.
Is borage a super plant?
It can be, and has been grown as an ornamental plant, but is also edible and medicinal. You could say that borage is a sort of super plant. from down in Melbourne, on the other side of the world. This photo © Craig Mackintosh.
What is the gamma linolenic acid in borage oil?
Borage oil contains high amounts of gamma linolenic acid (GLA), a fatty acid that’s integral to the structure and function of your skin ( 12 ).
How long can you take borage oil?
Additionally, one study in 74 people even observed that taking a borage oil supplement for 18 months, with or without fish oil, reduced symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory disorder ( 3. Trusted Source. ).
What is the name of the flower that is purple?
Also known as starflower, borage is an herb notable for its vibrant purple flowers and medicinal properties.
What are the leaves of a sage plant used for?
Trusted Source. ). Both the leaves and flowers of the plant are edible and commonly used as a garnish, dried herb, or vegetable in a variety of drinks and dishes. The leaves are sometimes also ground up and steeped in hot water to brew herbal tea.
Is borage plant toxic?
Keep in mind that the borage plant also contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids ( PAs), which are compounds that can be toxic to the liver and may contribute to cancer growth ( 16. Trusted Source. ). However, these compounds are mostly removed during processing and PA-free borage supplements are widely available ( 17.
Is borage a supplement?
Furthermore, borage is widely available in supplement form and used to treat a variety of respiratory and digestive disorders ( 6. Trusted Source. ). summary. Borage is an herb with edible leaves and flowers that’s known for its medicinal properties. It’s widely available as an oil, softgel, or herbal tea.
Does borage oil help with asthma?
May help treat asthma. Several studies have found that borage extract could help relieve symptoms of asthma by decreasing inflammation and swelling in the airways. In one study, consuming capsules containing borage oil and echium seed oil daily for 3 weeks decreased levels of inflammation in 37 people with mild asthma ( 2.
How big does a borage plant get?
The plant can be top heavy with the weight of its cluster of flowers and will reach a size of between 18-36 inches high by 9-24 inches across.
Why do people plant Borage?
Borage is high in calcium and potassium, so many folks plant it with their tomatoes to stave off blossom end rot, which is the result of a lack of calcium.
What is the name of the plant that is used to harvest borage?
Before we get into borage harvesting, a little more info about the plant is useful. An ancient herb, borage also goes by the names “bee plant,” “bee bread, ” talewort, starflower and cool-tankard. The reference to bees is particularly apt, as the plant is an excellent bee attractor with its also aptly named ...
Does borage need sun?
Borage ( Borago officinalis) is of Mediterranean origin and, as such, thrives in full sun, although it will tolerate light shade.
Is thyme a perennial?
Image by geographica. Sage, rosemary and thyme are perennial staples of most herb gardens, but don’t forget the annuals. A hardy annual, suited to all USDA hardiness zones, is borage. This self-seeding herb is easy to grow and if allowed to bloom and set seed will provide year upon year of edible blue blossoms as well as foliage.
Is borage edible?
Both the leaves and flowers of borage are edible with a flavor much akin to a cucumber. The stalks and leaves are covered with fine, silvery hairs that tend to get pricklier as they mature. Borage leaves contain a small amount of silica, which for some people can act as an irritant.
What does borage taste like?
Borage imparts a floral character to my honey, but it’s much more than that. It tastes delicious, with a delicate cucumber flavor. You can add the lovely little blue flowers to salads, or frozen in ice cubes for a colorful addition to fruit punch.
When does borage bloom?
It blooms later in the season that blue types, with lovely white flowers. Alba is a bit sturdier than common borage. Creeping Borage (Borago pygmaea ) – As the name suggests, this variety sprawls. It has lovely pale blue flowers that emerge in late spring and stick around to late fall.
What is the most common borage?
Common Borage (Borago officinalis) – This is the most common type of borage. The intensely blue flowers earned it the nickname starflower. Variegata (Borago officinalis ‘Variegata’) – Similar to common borage, this type has white mottling on the green leaves. Flowers are blue, though not as intense as common borage.
How cold can borage be grown?
Borage is reasonably cold tolerant, preferring soil temperatures of at least 50°F. Any cooler and you may want to provide a cloche or similar protection.
Why was borage given to the Knights?
Borage has a storied past. Allegedly, it was given to the Crusaders and Knights Templar to encourage bravery as they departed to foreign lands. In ancient Rome, Pliny the Elder used it as an anti-depressant. In other words, borage is an all-purpose wonder plant.
How to avoid mildew on borage?
Mildew can affect your borage. The best way to avoid it is to plant with decent spacing between them to allow airflow. Try to water towards the base of the plant rather than on top of the foliage.
Is borage good for hornworms?
It’s also high in omega 6. Borage has medical properties, and it’s a natural way to keep pests like hornworms out of the garden. Then there’s the fact that it adds an ornamental touch to your veggie garden. Borage has a storied past.
How wide does a borage plant grow?
Don’t be surprised if your plant spreads out; one borage plant reaches 12-18 inches wide. It’s easy to see how they can overtake an area of your garden after a few years of vigorous self-seeding! For new gardeners, borage is the perfect herb to grow.
What is borage oil?
Oil from the seeds is sold as a popular borage oil herbal supplement, and it’s a plant-based source of Omega fatty acids. Herbalists use borage to treat a variety of ailments, such as: Eczema.
How to make borage tincture?
Start by filling a glass jar with borage flowers, packing them tightly into the jar. Then, fill the jar with vodka or whatever alcohol that you prefer. Seal the jar and keep it in a cool, dark, dry location for two to six weeks.
How many cups of borage leaves to make jelly?
This jelly recipe is showstopping and delicious. To make borage cucumber jelly, you need six cups of borage leaves and flowers and one cucumber juiced. The recipe is easy enough that those who are new to canning will be able to make it. Since borage has a natural cucumber flavor, the mix is sweet and refreshing.
What is the best oil to use for borage?
Borage Infused Oil. The most popular type of borage oil is borage seed oil, but you can make a herbal infused oil out of the flowers. The same process that you might use for other herbs works for borage a well. Start by picking enough borage flowers to fill a glass jar, and spread them over a baking sheet or screen.
How long does borage oil stay in a jar?
Fill the jar with olive oil, and let it sit for four to six weeks. Remember to shake it up every few days. After the time is up, strain out the flowers, and you have DIY borage-infused oil. You may use this oil on your skin for irritation and rashes, or you can use it to create homemade herbal salves and ointments.
Is borage a medicinal herb?
Borage is one of those underappreciated herbs from long-ago. While lots of gardeners grow it, few people know it as a medicinal herb (or edible flower ). For the most part, it’s planted and simply enjoyed visually, which is a shame because there are so many ways to use borage.
