Borago officinalis
Jekkapedia
Borago officinalis, Borage
Family: Boraginaceae
Genus: Borago
Attractive star shaped blue flowers. Mid green, oval, bristly, slightly succulent leaves. Culinary; flowers can be used in drinks and salads. Young leaves used in salads and soups. Seeds are high in GLA.
Characteristics:
Borage can be seen at the herb farm in Jekka’s Herbetum and is available to buy as both herb plants and online as herb seeds.
Details
Growing
• Indoor Sowing: In early spring, into prepared plug trays or pots, cover with perlite.
• Outdoor Sowing: In early summer, when all threat of frost has gone, into a prepared sunny site. Thin seedlings to 60cm apart.
Medicinal
Borage has a long traditional use for treating fevers, catarrh, lung problems and as a tonic in nervous exhaustion and as a diuretic.
The seeds contain an oil rich in fatty acids and have been used to help with menopause, premenstrual symptoms and in inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. This oil has not been found to contain any the ingredients thought to be harmful to the liver.
Caution: Recent studies have raised concerns that borage leaves contain chemicals which may cause serious liver damage. For this reason, home use is not recommended and some herbalists now avoid or restrict internal medicinal use of this herb.
Please note: The information provided here is for educational interest only and is not intended to be used to diagnose or treat significant health problems. Any serious or long-term health concerns should always be discussed with a healthcare professional.
See our blog for more information about the National Institute of Medical Herbalists
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