Monday, April 21

    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.