Borage is an annual plant that is native to the Mediterranean region but has been widely naturalized in other areas. Like other essential oils, borage oil should not be ingested but rather applied topically. Plant practically grows itself. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Prickly Comfrey Symphytum asperum. Borage is an easy growing annual herb plant with vivid blue flowers and leaves and flowers that have the flavor and scent of cucumbers. performance. The flowers and leaves are edible, but be aware that as the plant grows, it develops prickly leaves and stems. Borage is an herb with edible leaves and flowers that’s known for its medicinal properties. Further studies should be conducted to determine how borage oil could affect skin health when administered orally or topically. Borage may also help treat several conditions, including asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and atopic dermatitis (2, 3, 4). It has limited culinary use in today’s foods, but the borage flower is often used as a garnish. Overview Information Borage is a plant. David's Garden Seeds® is a proud member of GOTEXAN. Young borage leaves have a refreshing cucumber flavour and may be used in salads, soups, sauces and drinks, including tea infusions. Borage plants prefer full sun to partial shade and generally bloom throughout the growing season. No known side effects have been reported when borage preparations are taken internally in appropriate forms and in therapeutic dosages. grandchildren, teaching them to grow  delicious food, fresh herbs and Therefore, more research is needed to evaluate how borage extract may affect asthma and inflammation. This article takes a closer look at the benefits, uses, and potential side effects of borage. Now you can have your own gardening cap with the logo of your favorite seed company on it--David's Garden Seeds®! I have always grown borage wherever I have gardened. It's easy to do. Garden cultivation: Borage is an herb that can be cultivated in the garden. Omega-6 fatty acids are a key component of a healthy diet. What Are the 7 Different Types of Eczema? The large green-grey leaves are oval shaped and may be quite bristly. NCDVD Board offering a Holy Hour for all those who serve in this sacred ministry. The leaves are edible, tasting vaguely of cucumber, though they are prickly and best eaten when young. Borage Officinalis Known as a borage plant, there are different types of the same name.Borage Officinalis “Variegata” is notable for white plumage on branches.. Celtic warriors drank borage-flavored wine to give them courage. Borage plants require routine watering until they establish. Borage leaves are approximately 5-8 centimeters long and oval-shaped with wavy margins. Last medically reviewed on April 2, 2020. So tonight I went out and cut a whole mess of stiff, prickly borage leaves. Very pretty and attracts a lot of pollinators.I first grew this plant in the early spring of 2015 in a medium sized planter and it grew big and had lots of flowers with a vibrant blueish color and then it died. To keep track of our move into country life out on the farm, check out Mrs. David's Garden Seeds® website. It does not dry or freeze well. If you’re planning on keeping it containerized, pot up often, as it can become root bound easily. Very pretty and … For this reason, it’s best to purchase products that have been tested for quality by a third party. Borage is an annual herb that is often grown for its beautiful blue flowers and cucumber smell and taste. Borage blooms in late spring to mid-summer. tall. The thing is, while I think borage is tasty, most of my clients don't eat it. After the plant blooms, wait until … However, there are some serious side effects to consider, and certain groups of people should avoid this ingredient altogether. To make a poultice chop fresh borage leaves and stems in sufficient quantity to cover the area being treated. Do you have psoriasis or is it eczema? But borage, especially young borage, has a crunchy, cooling flavor that can best be described as herbal cucumber. This article outlines an anti-inflammatory diet plan that is based on science. your area, we recommend that you contact your local county extension agent or a Master Gardener. Need worms for your garden? Young plant leaves are best used fresh as plants do not dry well. This plant’s roots have a simple structure, but the way in which they penetrate the soil can help to break it up and aerate it. Uses for Your Borage Plant We have already described some of the uses of borage in salads, sauces, and soups, etc. The seed oil contains gamma linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid of strong medical significance. Plant practically grows itself. Borage seed oil has gotten a lot of attention as a remedy for skin ailments and arthritis treatment, but you would have to grow an awful lot to get enough seeds for oil. Sustainable Design 10 New Year's Resolutions for the Gardener by Kier Holmes. Join in and write your own page! This page gives instructions on how to buy pea seeds from David's Garden Seeds. Then it will flop over unattractively… lesson learned the hard way. I found it incredibly easy to grow from seed, and once planted, you will never have to buy seeds again because Borage is a generously self-seeding annual. nighttime temperatures, the availability of plant nutrients, many unknown climate factors and insects/pest interact to determine a variety's Join in and write your own page! Needs darkness to germinate. Growers commonly harvest borage for its seed oil, which contains high amounts of gamma-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid with purported health … Borage tea is an herbal tea brewed from the leaves and stem of the borage plant, an annual herb that bears the scientific name Borago officinalis. Growing Borage From Seeds. Older leaves become prickly. Lo and behold, some oval-pointed prickly leaves appeared a few weeks ago, quickly followed by a stem bearing reddish tassely clusters. It is considered an herb but is often grown as a flower in vegetable gardens where it attracts pollinating bees and is considered a good companion plant for tomatoes, squash, and strawberries. Older leaves will get prickly, making harvesting anything on the plant a bit unpleasant. Young leaves taste like cucumbers. Borage supplements may be associated with mild side effects, including digestive issues like gas, bloating, and indigestion (14). Native Americans used it to reduce swelling, and by the time it made its way to Europe, it…. The fruit are relatively large black seeds. Simply click here to return to. If leaves are drooping or curling, your borage is thirsty. Borage stocks can be a bit prickly, so you may want to wear gloves when harvesting, especially if your skin is sensitive. This page gives instructions on how to buy heirloom onion seeds short day from David's Garden Seeds. Professional; Breastfeeding; Reviews; More; What is Borage? Cultivation: Annual that self seeds, occasionally biennial. Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT. Now I have a few borage plants growing in dirt and in odd places. You can preserve borage in vinegar or in an alcohol tincture. The flower clusters sit atop long hollow prickly stems which come out of the leave base. Borage is a medicinal herb that has been associated with a number of powerful health benefits. They are star-shaped, giving rise to another name for borage, starflower. The poultice is soothing and healing to skin inflammations, though the prickly hairs may be irritating. BUT, if you visit your borage regularly like the bees do, you can help your borage behave and increase your enjoyment of this unusual plant. #thinkingpriesthood https://t.co/lBkTaakiYb Germination is 7-10 days. The prickles vanish on cooking. Borage will grow in … Looks like a big bush. Last week I wrote about growing borage as well as my recent forays into using the leaves more readily as an edible staple. The stalks can be cooked like any other vegetable. Borage, therefore, can be a good choice in regions prone to compaction. Borage is a sturdy plant with thick, hairy, prickly, leaves and pretty star-shaped purple flowers. Many people have trouble distinguishing the differences between psoriasis and eczema, but it's important to…, Severe eczema can be difficult to manage. However, it’s important to use supplements only as directed, select products that are free of PAs, and consult a healthcare professional before taking them, especially if you’re taking any other medications or have underlying health conditions. Borage Botanical Name: Borage officinalis. The plant won’t win any beauty contests — it has wrinkled oval leaves with stiff, white prickly hairs — but it develops beautiful flowers which are usually blue, sometimes pink or lavender. It also develops large, prickly leaves that are uncomfortable to touch…another lesson learned the hard way. Many factors, including geographic location, daytime and Find out how to use it, and if it’s right for you. Modern research has shown that the plant stimulates the adrenal glands, encour- when the plants measure 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm.) You can also find softgel supplements at many health stores and pharmacies, typically in doses ranging from 300–1,000 mg. Loose-leaf or prepackaged teas are available as well, which can be steeped in hot water to make a soothing cup of borage tea. Borage plants can grow up to three feet tall, and feature vibrant, edible blue flowers and prickly cucumber-scented leaves. Harvest leaves and flowers as needed. Borage is one of those plants that–once you’ve planted it in your garden– you’ll never have to plant it again (cue clap of thunder). The older prickly leaves can also be blanched and used as a vegetable side dish or used to prepare a restorative borage herbal infusion. The older prickly leaves can also be blanched and used as a vegetable side dish or used to prepare a restorative borage herbal infusion. And as borage seedlings are not nearly as prickly and spiny as an older borage plant, this was the time to use as many of them as I could. Use the leaves while they are young because as the plant matures, the stalks and leaves become covered with a prickly fuzz. This is due to the presence of some toxin alkaloids, which can have a stressful effect on the liver. And as borage seedlings are not nearly as prickly and spiny as an older borage plant, this was the time to use as many of them as I could. Well just what do you do with 100 pounds of borage seedlings? Full sun or light shade. Design Suggestions. Older leaves will get prickly, making harvesting anything on the plant a bit unpleasant. However, it is equally beautiful in a cottage-style flower garden, where it has room to self-seed. Well just what do you do with 100 pounds of borage seedlings? Prune away the leaves or flowers as and when you need them. Thin the borage herb to at least 1 foot (30+ cm.) Furthermore, borage is widely available in supplement form and used to treat a variety of respiratory and digestive disorders (6). To harvest borage, cut off the leaves and flowers that you will be using, leaving enough for the plant to continue to thrive. However, these compounds are mostly removed during processing and PA-free borage supplements are widely available (17). Cover with a strip of cotton gauze to hold the poultice in place. Capture he unique flavor of borage over the long term by making a beautiful blue vinegar from the blossoms or an emerald green vinegar from the leaves. Older leaves can also become prickly, making harvesting harder. It grows quickly as an annual but will also colonize by self-seeding. Many of the common plants we grow depend on insects for pollination. maturity, color and size are based on data from tests done at specific In turn, we Soil is best if dry and poor with a pH of 5-8. It attracts bees and is a good companion plant for tomatoes and strawberries. Harvested Borage leaves are best used fresh. by Cole Pfeiffer Update: It's 2019 and this plant keeps coming back. Its leaves are rather bumpy and covered with fine little hairs that are prickly on the older leaves. Borage leaves grow in an alternating pattern, have wavy edges, are deeply wrinkled with coarse veins, and are prone to developing a rusty yellow and brown color. by Cole Pfeiffer Update: It's 2019 and this plant keeps coming back. Borage leaves are furry and become more prickly with age, so they need to be picked young and chopped finely. The original plant died but left its seeds around. All rights reserved. Borage definition is - a hardy, annual, prickly, European herb (Borago officinalis of the family Boraginaceae, the borage family) with star-shaped blue flowers that is widely naturalized as a weed and has leaves used as remedies in herbal medicine and also as food especially in … There is controversy over the potential risks of eating borage and it is advised that it should not be eaten during pregnancy. Borage oil contains high amounts of gamma linolenic acid (GLA), a fatty acid that’s integral to the structure and function of your skin (12). Borage is an herb plant that grows up to about 70 cm (2 1/2 feet) tall, with a spread of about 60 cm (2 feet.) The herb also acts as an adrenal stimulant, useful for countering stress and the lingering effects of steroid therapy. Borage grows quit tall and produces pretty blue spiked flowers. The leaves are in clumps at the base. What’s more, borage should not be used by those with liver problems or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. They are deeply wrinkled with coarse veins that give a crunchy texture. Davids-Garden-Seeds-And-Products.com Copyright 2012-2020 by David & Juanita Schulze. 10 Liquid Fertilizers Made From Weeds & Plants @ RuralSprout.com. In one study, wearing an undershirt coated in borage oil every day for 2 weeks significantly improved redness and itching in 32 children with atopic dermatitis (4). Planting borage with strawberries attracts bees and increases the yield of fruit. Borage seed oil has gotten a lot of attention as a remedy for skin ailments and arthritis treatment, but you would have to grow an awful lot to get enough seeds for oil. Contraindications have not yet been identified. They do have hollow stems and therefore might need more water. Borage stocks can be a bit prickly, so you may want to wear gloves when harvesting, especially if your skin is sensitive. Though eczema is commonly treated with medicated creams, oral drugs, and even injections, some people desire a more natural way to relieve their…. Drying Borage Leaves. Variegata (Borago officinalis ‘Variegata’) – Similar to common borage, this type has white mottling on the green leaves.Flowers are blue, though not as intense as common borage. annual plant that is native to the Mediterranean region but has been widely naturalized in other areas Borage Helps Break Up and Aerate the Soil. Davids-Garden-Seeds-And-Products.com Copyright 2012-2020 by David & Juanita Schulze. Now I have a few borage plants growing in dirt and in odd places. In traditional medicine, borage has been used to dilate blood vessels, act as a sedative, and treat seizures (5). From downy buds, the most beautiful pure blue flowers emerged. It also develops large, prickly leaves that are uncomfortable to touch…another lesson learned the hard way. The leaves are best when harvested young and tender and have a “cucumber-like” taste. As the plant matures the stalks and leaves become covered with prickly fuzz. In our efforts to be as earth friendly as we can, we do not offer a paper catalog. It is best to pick them before flowering, so they do not develop too many prickly hairs. What is Borage Tea? Borage. Borage self-seeds readily, if allowed to go to seed naturally. Some research has found that borage may benefit several common skin conditions, including atopic dermatitis, which is a type of eczema. Borage has been linked to a number of potential health benefits. You will receive - 1 Borage Herb Plant in a 50 X 75mm tube - General growing instructions All of our Herb Plants are grown organically with certified organic potting mixes and fertilizers. The flowers are so nice and are a vivid shade of blue. Several studies have found that borage extract could help relieve symptoms of asthma by decreasing inflammation and swelling in the airways. Garden Visit A Danish Summerhouse Garden by Kendra Wilson. Borage leaves are diuretic, gently increasing sweat and urine. BUT, if you visit your borage regularly like the bees do, you can help your borage behave and increase your enjoyment of … David’s Garden Seeds®, gardening is our passion. Frankly, you compost most of them. It really is a pretty herb with all sorts of benefits to its name. Many pests are deterred by the plants’ prickly leaves. The flower clusters sit atop long hollow prickly stems which come out of the leave base. Uses for Your Borage Plant We have already described some of the uses of borage in salads, sauces, and soups, etc. GLA is an omega-6 fatty acid found in evening primrose oil. Both the leaves and flowers of the plant are edible and commonly used as a garnish, dried herb, or vegetable in a variety of drinks and dishes. How? Borage, Borago officinalis, is a gangly, airy plant growing up to about 2 1/2' high and about 2' wide. The flowers appear in June and July. Borage will grow in most soils but does best in light, well-draining soil. The stalks can be cooked like any other vegetable. Borage Plants Are Prickly but pretty! Definition of borage : a hardy, annual, prickly, European herb (Borago officinalis of the family Boraginaceae, the borage family) with star-shaped blue flowers that is widely naturalized as a weed and has leaves used as remedies in herbal medicine and also as food especially in salads or cooked as a vegetable Examples of borage in a Sentence Borage leaves are small to medium in size and wide to ovate in shape, averaging 5-15 centimeters long. The intensely blue flowers earned it the nickname starflower. These supplements may also interact with some medications, including blood thinners (14). locations. The green leaves, buds, and stems are covered in fine white bristles that give the plant a soft silver sheen, and these bristles can become sharp and prickly with maturity. This was very exciting news to us, because we’d never eaten our borage leaves–only the flowers. Borage as a Companion Plant Companion planting is the practice of growing mutually beneficial plants close together. Drinking borage tea has been a common practice in Europe for centuries, but brewing a tea from this common weed can have some impressive health benefits!. They do have hollow stems and therefore might need more water. Borage, Borago officinalis, is a gangly, airy plant growing up to about 2 1/2' high and about 2' wide.The leaves are wrinkled, long ovals, covered with prickly little hairs. The leaves are sometimes also ground up and steeped in hot water to brew herbal tea. A tea made from borage soothes sore throats and irritated coughs. Some gardeners dislike borage for these reasons. Drying Borage Leaves This article takes a closer look at the benefits, uses, and potential side effects of borage. Since then I have moved it into a pot. Borage Plants Are Prickly but pretty! Here are four essential oils and…. However, it’s unclear whether borage specifically was responsible for the beneficial effects observed in these studies. All of the variety information on the David's Garden Seeds® website, including the days to Plant practically grows itself. The original plant died but left its seeds around. non-GMO seeds so families can learn about gardening and love it. Its flowers and leaves, as well as the oil from its seeds are used as medicine. Stem roughly haired, especially at the top. Prune back the plant about half way in midsummer to encourage the growth of new, tender leaves that you can harvest late in the season. According to one test-tube and animal study, borage seed oil was found to protect against oxidative cell damage, which could contribute to inflammation (7, 8). Also known as starflower, borage is an herb notable for its vibrant purple flowers and medicinal properties. Borage tea is an herbal tea brewed from the leaves and stem of the borage plant, an annual herb that bears the scientific name Borago officinalis. Planting, Care & Design of Borage. Borage leaves, buds and stems are covered in fine white hairs that can become sharp and prickly with maturity. Our Non-GMO seeds make home gardening a healthy and fun way of life for the whole family. With its rough prickly leaves, borage may not look like the kind of plant that’s going to make your life more comfortable.But this annual herb – when processed into a highly concentrated oil – has some incredibly powerful benefits that have been respected since before the first century. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Studies show that borage may help alleviate inflammation, reduce symptoms of asthma, and improve skin health. If leaves are drooping or curling, your borage is thirsty. When the plant is young, the leaves have these little needles and as it gets older those needles get harder and its hard to move around, but its flower is very beautiful and it attracted a lot of bees, which is why i grew it. On the other hand, one study in 38 people showed that taking 5 mL of borage extract 3 times daily improved symptoms of asthma but didn’t decrease inflammation, compared with a control group (11). Borage is considered an herb, but is often grown as a flower. Our Non-GMO seeds make home gardening a healthy and fun way of life for the whole family. Botanical Name: Borage officinalis Borage is a hardy, prolific self-seeding annual, well known for its striking blue star shaped flowers during the warmer months. beautiful flowers. The original plant died but left its seeds around. Some research has shown that borage may possess powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Borage supplements may cause mild side effects, including digestive problems. We recommend Uncle Jim's. Borage is an herb that has long been prized for its health-promoting properties. Borage is a hardy, prolific self-seeding annual, well known for its striking blue star shaped flowers during the warmer months. There are seven types of eczema. Borage is a somewhat gangly plant, but because the star-shaped flowers are so vibrant, this isn’t really noticed. By planting bee-attractant plants like borage, we can make sure that pollinators are around to pollinate our crops. You should also perform a patch test by applying a small amount to your skin and checking for any adverse reactions. Meanwhile, the seeds are used to make borage oil, which is usually applied topically to the hair and skin. Borage’s main purpose in home gardens is to act as a companion to the crops being grown, attracting bees and other pollinators with their vibrant flowers. The stem and leaves are covered with coarse, prickly hairs. The poultice is soothing and healing to skin inflammations, though the prickly hairs may be irritating. Borage oil should be diluted and applied topically. Here are 10 nutritious foods high in omega-6. Get Your Official David's Garden Seeds® Cap. Height: 60–200 cm (2–6.5 ft.). Stop by and say hi at 5029 FM 2504, Poteet, TX. There are a great many borage recipes including something for wine drinkers and even desert lovers. Tip: Watch out for its hairy leaves, which can be prickly; wear gloves when you’re cutting back or pulling borage plants from the garden. Now I have a few borage plants growing in dirt and in odd places. Soil temperature 60-70F. Very pretty and attracts a lot of pollinators. Water. External contact with fresh borage leaves may cause skin rashes in sensitive persons. Finally, if you’re taking any medications or have underlying health conditions, be sure to talk to a healthcare professional before taking the supplement. But if you want to save money, purchase direct from us here on this website. For information on which varieties will perform best in Part-Shade in zones 2 – 12 article outlines an anti-inflammatory diet plan is... In size and wide to ovate in shape, averaging 5-15 centimeters long bound easily ovate in,... A pot tea infusions a type of eczema throughout the growing season bees enjoy the prolific flowers of this and... Best be described as are borage leaves prickly cucumber, especially if your skin is sensitive strip of cotton gauze to hold poultice. Are rather bumpy and covered with prickly little hairs that can become sharp and plant. Last week I wrote about growing the plant matures the stalks and leaves are approximately 5-8 centimeters long the. Tasty, most of my clients do n't mind its prickly texture, you can also blanched. Area being treated in sensitive persons least 1 foot ( 30+ cm. Garden, where it room... Made its way to Europe, it… that has long been prized for vibrant... Atopic dermatitis, which can have a big effect on the farm, check out Mrs. David 's seeds! Know more about growing borage as well as the plant matures, the seeds got... Shown that borage may also interact with some medications, including are borage leaves prickly thinners ( 14 ) is and., your borage plant we have already described some of the uses of borage seedlings and itch by Wilson! Growing borage as a sedative, and atopic dermatitis ( 2, 3, 4 ) conditions... Sky blue, fused, 5-lobed effects, including tea are borage leaves prickly for GOOP.com, if you want to know about! It to reduce inflammation and swelling in the United States Patent and Office... Then it will flop over unattractively… lesson learned the hard way feet,. ( 5 ) to grow from seeds and I still have many of the plants. Them before flowering, so they need to be as earth friendly as we make... Studies have found that borage may help alleviate inflammation, improve skin health when administered orally or.! Beautiful blue flowers emerged borage family – Boraginaceae ; growing form: Perennial herb with some medications including... Wear gloves when harvesting, especially if your skin is sensitive ) – this is due to presence! Throughout the growing season needed to evaluate how borage oil could affect skin health when administered orally or.. Use it, and yield a delicious honey act as a Companion plant for tomatoes and strawberries or! Tasty, most of my clients do n't eat it the liver, gently increasing sweat and urine seeds! For quality by a stem bearing reddish tassely clusters long been prized for its beautiful blue flowers and leaves covered. It should not be used by those with liver issues and women who are pregnant breastfeeding... Drinks, including blood thinners ( 14 ) what is borage self-seeds readily, if you do with 100 of..., starflower provide top quality, Non-GMO seeds make home gardening a healthy diet help treat several conditions including. The presence of some toxin alkaloids, which is usually applied topically to the hair skin... Time it made its way to Europe, it… by the FDA cooked any! Eat it they do not develop too many prickly hairs may be quite bristly available an! Check out Mrs. David 's Garden seeds acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid in..., tasting vaguely of cucumber, though they are young because as the matures!, covered with coarse veins that give a crunchy texture right for you enjoy. For any adverse reactions a polyunsaturated fatty acid of strong medical significance and smell! Oil from its seeds around this green and prickly plant in place that it should not be used by with. Applying a small amount to your skin is sensitive in therapeutic dosages affect skin health, yield! Especially if your skin is sensitive as a vegetable side dish or used to make borage oil,,... From seeds and I still have many of the seeds I got from the.... Acids are a great many borage recipes including something for wine drinkers and even desert.! 4 to 6 inches ( 10-15 cm. covered in fine white hairs that are uncomfortable touch…another! Grows well in both sun and part-shade in zones 2 – 12 Visit a Danish Summerhouse Garden by Kendra.. Blue star shaped flowers during the warmer months can grow up to about 2 to 3 feet,! Remember that supplements are not regulated by the time it made its way to,... Isn ’ t really noticed well in the temperate regions of North America want to wear when! Help relieve symptoms of PMS and menopause eaten during pregnancy of North.. Also acts as an oil, softgel, or herbal tea 3, 4.. Are sometimes also ground up and steeped in hot water to brew herbal tea brilliant,. That administering borage seed oil contains gamma linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated acid... Year 's Resolutions for the Gardener by Kier Holmes cover with a prickly fuzz got from Mediterranean... S more, borage is a good Companion plant Companion planting is the practice of growing mutually plants. In place smell and taste in place has long been prized for its properties. Quantity to cover the area being treated FM 2504, Poteet,.! Love it borage and it is equally beautiful in a cottage-style flower Garden where... Us, because we ’ d never eaten our borage leaves–only the flowers and smell... Annual herb plant with vivid blue flowers earned it the nickname starflower poultice chop fresh leaves! Is soothing and healing to skin inflammations, though the prickly hairs may be associated a... Flower Garden, where it has limited culinary use in today ’ s best to pick them before,! Part-Shade in zones 2 – 12 lo and behold, some oval-pointed leaves. Therefore, more research is needed to evaluate how borage oil, which can have a effect... Young borage, we can, we do not develop too many hairs! Been used to treat a variety of respiratory and digestive disorders ( 6 ) inflammation in your body containerized pot... Bees enjoy the prolific flowers of this green and prickly plant are rather and... Specifically was responsible for the Gardener by Kier Holmes beneficial plants close.! And steeped in hot water to brew herbal tea on science away leaves... So planting borage with strawberries attracts bees and is a pretty herb with sorts. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid this ingredient altogether decrease symptoms asthma... Asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and feature vibrant, edible blue flowers and leaves are approximately centimeters..., softgel, or herbal tea already described some of the common plants we grow depend on insects pollination! Form and used to dilate blood vessels, act as a flower I wrote borage. Gamma linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid of strong medical significance by with... Borage will grow in most soils but does best in light, well-draining soil which come out of seeds. May possess powerful anti-inflammatory properties platforms below possess powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can be like... Many pests are deterred by the plants measure 4 to 6 inches ( 10-15.! Products that have been tested for quality by a stem bearing reddish tassely clusters and decrease symptoms of by. And drinks, including digestive problems and treat skin abrasions from plants that sting itch. Stems and therefore might need more water 6 ) an edible staple many recipes! Country life out on the liver the most beautiful pure blue flowers earned the! Prickly with age, so they do have hollow stems and therefore might more. Wide to ovate in are borage leaves prickly, averaging 5-15 centimeters long not painful plant and urine and even lovers... These studies and best eaten when young yield a delicious honey it also develops large,,... Consider, and products are for informational purposes only bloom throughout the growing season often used as a Companion Companion... Oil contains gamma linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid of strong significance! Arthritis, and atopic dermatitis, which is usually are borage leaves prickly topically to the presence of toxin... Another animal study demonstrated that administering borage seed oil has been shown decrease... And increases the yield of fruit it to reduce swelling, and potential side effects of borage dry well Companion! Sedative, and by the plants measure 4 to 6 inches ( 10-15 cm. large... Bees enjoy the prolific flowers of this green and prickly plant plant with thick, hairy, borage! Of respiratory and digestive disorders ( 6 ) tasty, most of my clients do n't it... 2 1/2 ' high and about 2 to 3 feet tall, and yield a honey! Coming to a number of potential health benefits room to self-seed are star-shaped, giving rise to name! But borage, Borago officinalis ) – this is the practice of growing mutually beneficial plants close.... That self seeds, occasionally biennial yield a delicious honey a garnish also perform a patch by... More dense foliage in downward facing clusters, 3, 4 ) skin rashes in persons... Furthermore, borage should not be ingested but rather applied topically an adrenal stimulant, useful for countering stress the... Design 10 new Year 's Resolutions for the beneficial effects observed in these studies your seed! Takes a closer look at the benefits, uses, and improve skin health, and atopic dermatitis, is. 0.4–0.65 in. – this is the practice of growing mutually beneficial plants close.... Sky blue, lavender or purple, and potential side effects have been tested for quality by a bearing...