P1080255

BORAGE

Because I never tire of it.

in life

Borage supposedly has properties that give a feeling of euphoria, or what I would call happiness. It’s said to give courage, joy and heart to anyone who eats the flowers or makes tea from the leaves. Borage expels pensiveness and melancholy.  Borage flowers in the house help bring domestic tranquillity.  The flowers sprinkled in the bath are good for courage or protection.  A cup of borage tea can help with feelings of vulnerability and disjointedness.  Whatever it grows near, it is ‘lifted up’ and made stronger by it.

How can one not admire that kind of unconditional giving?

in the kitchen

The fresh young leaves can be added to salads, although having tried this, I am not too keen on the fuzzy texture.  The leaves are great for special effects, as they spark and pop when burned due to their mineral content.  The leaves and the pretty blue flowers taste slightly like salty cucumber. Try freezing the flowers in an ice cube for a nice garnish to herbal iced tea in summer.  According to folklore, if the person drinking the tea is someone you would like to marry, it will give them the courage to propose.  The flowers will keep their colour if dried carefully.

It is okay to use this herb as a condiment, but avoid eating large amounts regularly, as it contains alkaloids that are believed to harm the liver.

in the garden

I always directly sow the seeds in the ground just after the last frost, but this depends on where you live.  Borage is a good companion plant for tomatoes, squash and strawberries. Plant in a bunch to support each other – they flop over in windy areas. Bees love the flowers, which have a lot of nectar. The flowers are usually blue, but sometimes they will be pink, even on the same plant—borage self-seeds when happy.

borage

BORAGE & MINT TEA
  1. Place a few roughly chopped borage leaves, a few flowers, and fresh mint leaves in a cup of boiling water.
  2. Let steep for 5 minutes. Always cover the tea when steeping to preserve the volatile oils, which contain all of its beneficial health benefits.

Find a quiet place outside.  Sit, listen and enjoy.

borage

References:

https://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/b/borage66.html

Whole Foods Companion by Dianne Onstad

Goodness shared from Stacey