Common names: Borage, Starflower
Taxonomic name: Borago officinalis
Family: Boraginaceae
Uses: Cooling, soothing, relieves fatigue
Area of origin: Mediterranean
Warnings: Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can damage the liver in susceptible people
Borage (Borago officinalis) has a cooling, soothing nature and you may have noticed from my previous posts that many of the that flower in early Summer are soothing and cooling – and it’s just coming into the time of year when we need just that.
This cooling, soothing nature means that you can use Borage around inflammations, redness, soreness, rashes. I see something in the Doctrine of Signatures here, the rough, bristly leaves can bring out a rash in some people, and freshly crushed Borage leaves will soothe that and other rashes.
Borage has uses beyond its wonderful cooling effect. It is also a gentle way to recover from fatigue, as it helps to soothe and restore overworked adrenals. These glands are also the source of steroids that help moderate our body’s inflammation response. It helps the kidneys to function better at cleaning too.
Like many other soothing herbs, Borage contains a mucilage that is easily accessible. It’s better to get it by making a cold infusion, or letting a hot one stand overnight. This benefits inflamed membranes, inside and out and can help in cases of hayfever or cystitis that occur this time of year.
So, Borage is another plant that is easy to grow and is ready just when we need it. I like it’s pretty blue, pink and white flowers too.
Moderation in all things though, it’s related to Comfrey and contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which, in large quantities can damage the liver. A couple of cups a day won’t hurt and may just do you a world of good.
@porters here on behalf of @NaturalMedicine - I like to grow this herbs for the bees and benefits too! Thanks for all the information on this wonderful herb!
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Thanks. I grow it because of the bees too.
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Edible from flower to root. We use it a lot for minor aches/pains bruises. Pairs well with plantain. (the broad leaf/weed -not the tuberous/root veggie) if you need a good poultice for a wound.
The green parts (leaves and stems) taste and smell like cucumber. Th flowers taste and smell like licorice or anise. (one single flower can make a 5 gallon bucket of water smell like licorice..... pretty pungent stuff)
In the garden: plant right next to your tomatoes. And watch the 'mater plants go into overdrive! Borage and Tomatoes will share each other's root masses in a very, very symbiotic relationship. Borage gives the tomato a boosted immune response and a heightened growth rate. Both fruit wise and overall plant matter. At the same time the tomato feeds the Borage with better nutrient uptake. Every year we plant Borage with our Tomato plants, each 'mater yields over 100 pounds of fruit. No fertilizers or soil amendments are needed. The same tomato plant, in the same soil, without a Borage companion yields about 12 pounds of fruit or less.
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Thanks @tillysfamilyfarm. I like the cucumber taste of the leaves and stems too. Last year, we grew it under a Nectarine that suffered from Leaf Curl the year before. Last year, we saw no leaf curl.
Thats some fascinating information on the tomatoes. Ill definitely do a mixed planting next year!
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