Borage facts

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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