Borage

Borage officinalis
Boraginaceae. Borage Family.

Introduction and History

If only the Cowardly Lion had known about Borage, perhaps he could have saved himself the trouble of venturing down that yellow brick road Soldiers going into battle in ancient times partook of wine seeped with borage to shore up their nerve. According to the sixteenth-century British herbalist John Gerard, Roman soldiers used to say "Ego borago gaudia semper ago.; Gerard translated this as "Borage always brings me courage, but this is a pretty loose translation; gaudia means delight, not bravery.

Very much related to the feeling of courage is the sense of elation and well-being that borage was said to produce Several of history's most noted herbalist and scholars spoke of this The early Roman scholar Pliny, believing the herb to be an anti-depressant, called it "euphonium." Nero's physician, Dioscorides, wrote that borage could "cheer the heart and lift the spirits. The Welsh called borage "llanwenlys meaning herb of gladness. Sad to say, it may have been the wine rather then the borage, as modern research gives no credence to these uses.

Special Features and Uses

Culinary

Without question, the edible flowers of borage do bring pleasure. Star-shaped, they are the most intense shade of blue. Crystallized, they are the ultimate in pastry decoration. Toss fresh borage flowers in salad or garnish foods with them. The rough-textured leaves, with their crisp cucumber flavor are used in foods. They can be used raw, steamed, or sautéed like spinach. You can eat the stems too; peel, chop, and use like celery.

Medicinal

In addition to prescribing borage to relieve depression, the early herbalist believed it to be a diuretic, demulcent, and emollient, and these same beliefs are held by herbalist today Infusions and decoctions of borage flowers are taken to relieve fevers, bronchitis, and diarrhea among other ailments. Poultices made from the leaves are reported to be cooling and soothing and so are applied to external inflammations and swellings Its tannin content makes it slightly astringent and slightly constipating Its mucilage is responsible for its mild expectorant actions, which explains the use of borage in treating bronchitis Its malic acid and potassium nitrate might produce some diuretic action.

Storage Note

Borage is unacceptable when dried and frozen. The only way to store it is for the long-term is in a flavored vinegar.

Toxicity

Some herbalist warn the borage may be toxic to the liver, however these claims have not been verified in anyway.

Ornamental

For the gladness borage brings, you don’t have to look any farther then your own back yard You can grow this herb and delight in its blue, star- shaped blossoms The rough some-what sprawling habit of borage makes it a little too unrefined in appearance to be planted in formal gardens Of course it suits an herb garden well and blends nicely with other plants in a wildflower garden.

Companion Planting

Borage is said to strengthen the resistance to insects and disease of any plants neighboring it. It is an especially good companion for strawberries because it strengthens resistance to insects and disease. Borage is useful to squash by deterring worms and tomatoes by deterring tomato horn worm.

Other

If you need to attract bees to your garden, plant borage. Bees love the flowers.

Hardiness

Borage is a self-seeding annual.

Growth Habit

The sprawling habit of the branches creates a rounded shape to the whole plant When seedlings appear, thin them to a distance of 2' because borage occupies a lot of room once it matures. At maturity the plant can reach a height of two to three feet and have a width of two feet.

Bloom Time

Drooping clusters of one inch, star-shaped flowers appear in mid summer. Keeping the blossoms picked will cause the plant to continue to bloom.

Propagation

Sow the seeds directly into the garden after the danger of frost is gone. After the initial planting, the herb readily reseeds itself.

Germination

Most herbs germinate at about 55°F. Sow seeds outdoors in early to late spring, two inches deep.

Transplanting

Because borage has long tap roots, it is best to direct sow and then thin to desired spacing rather then trying to transplant. Borage does not transplant well, but if necessary, do so when very young, disturbing the roots as little as possible.

Soil

Borage does well in just about any garden soil, but for optimum growth grow in humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil. A manure compost is the best fertilizer. The soil should be kept loose and well aerated. A soil pH of 6.6 is perfect.

Sunlight

Full sun to light shade.

Pests and Disease

Japanese Beetles and snails may attack new growth. Not disease prone.

References

Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs
by Claire Kowalchik and William H. Hylton (Editors)

Culinary Herbs by Maggie Oster A National Home Gardening Club book.

The Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening by Organic Gardening Magazine
Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences