Borage

Borago officinalis

Edible, Medicinal, Bountiful, Borage! Another herbal ally and friend of pollinators to grace your apothecary garden. There is not an herb in the garden quite as enchanting as Starflower, or Borage. Iridescent blue flowers sparkle like falling stars, blooming profusely each day and gently drifting to the garden floor. Borage is a quick to mature flowering herb and provides nectar for pollinators early on in the season.

Borage leaf can be used as a tisane (herbal infusion), tincture and eaten as food medicine with its signature cucumber flavor and scent. Traditionally used as a herb for the spirit, aiding in emotional support, deep sorrow and even to instill courage and fortitude. Borage is also used as an adrenal tonic, to soothe nervous exhaustion, to benefit the transmission of nerve impulses and prevent nerve damage, heal skin inflammations and infections, and is a rich source of trace minerals. It should be mentioned that Borage contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA), which in large quantities can accumulate and cause severe liver damage. This should be taken into consideration when using Borage as food and medicine. We recommend low dose usage of Borage, especially with long term support in the case of adrenal fatigue. Explore the “nudgopathy” approach of herbalist Matthew Wood.

Medicinal uses of Borago officinalis listed are for informational purposes and not mean as replacement for medical assessment and care by a qualified practitioner such as an herbalist or naturopathic physician.

Sowing/Growing Information:

Direct sow as soon as soil can be worked in the spring.

Space pants 6-8 inches apart.

Space rows 18 inches apart.

Amend with a good compost at time of planting. We recommend a legume cover crop to help fix nitrogen before your Borage crop.

Plants grows to about 2-3 feet tall. Annual. Readily self sows!

Harvest instructions:

Harvest the delightful flowers to adorn salads or even to freeze in ice cubes trays for a charming summer refresher! Leaves can be harvested throughout the season for salads and pot herbs. Smaller, younger leaves have been found to contain less PA. Tincture fresh since the leaves do lose some potency upon drying.