Friday's Herbal - Borage

Common name: Borage
Latin: Borago officinalis

Borage is said to lift the spirits and ease a melancholy heart.  Just one look at this lovely little blossom brings me joy.  I don't even need to steep it in wine, as the old recipes tout;)

Borage is a readily self-seeding annual, native to Europe.  It's a branching and sprawling, hairy plant, grayish green with five pointed blue stars for flowers.  Medieval painters considered this to be the perfect blue for the robes of the Blessed Virgin, and carefully mixed their paint to match it.

Borage has a reputation for bolstering courage; Celtic warriors drank wine with borage before battle to induce a sense of elation and well being.  Before the Crusaders set off, their sweethearts would give them a sprig of borage.  Pop a sprig in your lapel before heading out to your daily skirmishes.  The Roman scholar Pliny believed the herb to be an anti-depressant.  Dioscorides wrote that borage would, "cheer the heart and lift depressed spirits."

Research does seem to support these claims; the herb affects the adrenal gland, which can bring about those feelings of euphoria and courage, and shows some promise in treating depression.  The plant has also been used in infusions to relieve fevers, bronchitis, and diarrhea.  Poultices are applied externally to cool and soothe inflammation and swelling.  The seeds are pressed for an oil that is highly regarded by massage therapists.  The oil contains gammo linolenic acid which helps joints and muscles.  Infuse the leaves in water for a soothing eyewash.  A tea made of borage makes an effective internal cleanse for its diuretic properties.

Borage is also useful in your beauty routine.  Add the flowers to steam facials or masks, to treat dry skin.  Borage seed oil also helps with sunburn.

Borage is perfect for casual cottage gardens and herb beds.  Its untidy nature makes it less appealing for formal gardens.  Borage is a friendly, relaxed mate, not an uptight bitty.  This herb makes a great companion plant as it is said to strengthen the resistance to insects and disease of other plants nearby.  Planted with strawberries, they are mutually beneficial, and near tomatoes they give off a scent that repels tomato hornworms.  Bees love borage, so it is often planted near hives.

Borage is very easily grown from seed.  Plant it once and it will reseed itself, giving you an increasingly full bed each year. Borage likes a sunny location, but is not picky about the soil.  However, it will do best in a moderately rich and moist soil.  Borage has proven drought tolerant in my garden, and I've seen it grow in the most unlikely circumstances.  It truly is a courageous plant that lives up to its reputation!

Borage is also useful in the kitchen of course.  The young leaves have a cucumber flavor.  Chop them small if you don't like the hairiness, and toss them in your salads.  You can use the stems like celery; peel off the hairy layer and chop them up, adding to soups and stews, or salads.  Cook the leaves and stems as you would other greens.  The flowers are also edible, tossed in salads for color, or candied and used on cakes and pastries.  The leaves and stems are high in potassium and calcium.

So pop a sprig of borage in your bonnet and be brave and cheerful as you go off into your weekend!  See you next week:)

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