Borage is a gangling plant which has vibrant star shaped flowers. They are pink in the beginning which turns to a true blue that hangs facing downward as clusters. The fuzzy buds which are white are also attractive. The flowers and leaves are consumable which possess the flavor of a cucumber.
| Name |
Borage |
| Scientific Name |
Borago officinalis |
| Native |
Mediterranean region, today it is extensively cultivated all over North America and Europe. |
| Common/English Name |
Burrage, star flower, common bugloss, bee plant, beebread |
| Name in Other Languages |
Arabic: Lisan-us-Saur;
English: Borage;
Persian: Gaozaban;
Hindi: Gojiva;
Gujarati: Gaozaban;
Urdu: Gaozaban;
German: bourage;
French: borratze;
Italian: borrana;
Spanish: borraja;
Estonian: harilik kurgirohi;
Finnish: purasruoho;
Gaelic: Borraigh;
Hungarian: Borágó;
Polish: Ogorecznik lekarski;
Swedish: Gurkört;
Dutch: bernagie;
Portuguese: borragem;
Greek: Bourándza |
| Plant Growth Habit |
Herbaceous annual, fast growing, aggressive |
| Soil |
Well drained, moist |
| Plant Size |
Height: 2 feet; Width: 2½ feet |
| Lifespan |
One year |
| Stem |
Erect, vertically grooved, hollow; Height: 1 1/2 feet |
| Leaf |
Alternate, margined, ellipsoid-ovate, deep green, pubescent or hairy; Length: 3-10 cm |
| Flowering Season |
May-September |
| Flower |
Star shaped, blue, sometimes white or pink |
| Nut shape & size |
Elongate-ovate, keeled ; Length: 7-10 mm |
| Nut color |
Dark brown or black, warty, rough |
| Flavor/aroma |
Cucumber flavor |
| Varieties/Types |
- Common borage
- Variegata
- Alba
- Creeping borage
|
| Major Nutritions (Raw) |
Iron, Fe 2.94 mg (36.75%)
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) 31.2 mg (34.67%)
Vitamin A, RAE 187 µg (26.71%)
Manganese, Mn 0.311 mg (13.52%)
Copper, Cu 0.116 mg (12.89%)
Magnesium, Mg 46 mg (10.95%)
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.134 mg (10.31%)
Potassium, K 418 mg (8.89%)
Calcium, Ca 83 mg (8.30%)
Phosphorus, P 47 mg (6.71%) |
| Health Benefits |
- Respiratory health
- Skin conditions
- Omega 6
- Vitamin A and C
- Prevent cancer
- Reduce anxiety
- Kidney ailments
- Reduce fever
- Relieves bowel syndrome
- Reduce arthritis
|
| Calories in 1 cup (1″ pieces), 89 g Raw |
19 Kcal. |
| Traditional uses |
- The oil of Borage is used as sequestering agent and astringent.
- Borage is used in folk medicine to treat coughs, throat illnesses, bladder and kidney disorders and rheumatism.
- Borage is regarded to possess demulcent, emollient and diuretic properties.
- Borage is used to treat the health ailments such as depression, fevers and coughs.
- Borage is used in to treat gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and respiratory disorders, cardiovascular and urinary disorders.
- The poultice made from leaves helps to calm inflammations.
- In Latin America, the borage tea is used to treat lung problems.
- The emollient properties help to soothe the sore as well as inflamed skin.
- Flowers are used to promote sweat.
- The leaves infusion is used a stress tonic, depression and mental exhaustion.
- Borage possesses anti-inflammatory properties which help to treat the infections.
- In the past, it was believed to be a skin emollient.
- Compresses and poultice made from borage helps to ease injured skin.
- The use of Borage oil helps to rejuvenate the facial skin.
|
| Precautions |
- The pregnant or lactating mothers should consult before using Borage.
- The oil extracted from Borage may lead to bloating, indigestion, nausea and headache in some individuals.
- It should not be used for long time internally because it possesses alkaloids which can cause liver damage.
- Borage oil may extend bleeding and increases the chances of bruising.
|
| How to Eat |
- Flowers and leaves are used to make season soups, tea, salads and wines.
- The flowers are used to decorate cakes or make sweet syrups.
- In Italy, it is prepared as a side dish.
- Flowers to add to wines which provide a flavor of cucumber.
- Frozen flowers in ice are used to make cool drinks.
- The boiled potatoes could be rolled in butter and chopped Borage leaves could be scattered with few flowers.
|
| Other Facts |
- Some varieties of Borage bear pink or white flowers.
- Borage flowers possess sweet and honey like taste.
- Borage is mostly used in the Mediterranean cuisines.
- In ancient Rome, Borage wine was provided to the soldiers in order to strengthen soldiers before the battle.
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