Borage in the Garden

More Information

Borage leaves and flowers smell and taste remarkably like cucumber!

The Borago Officinalis is a very pretty herb with sky blue or pink star shaped flowers and distinct black centers. It is an annual that grows very quickly from seed to reach heights of 18 to 30 inches tall.  It is not ideal for container gardening because of it’s long tap root, however a large deep pot may just do the trick. Allow your borage to self seed or save seeds and sow again in Spring.
Borage thrives in poor chalky or sandy soil with plenty of sun, it is quite hardy and will continue to bloom for many months – whatever the weather. Borage makes excellent honey!

The stems of borage have rough prickly green leaves which are a great source of vitamin c and can be cooked as spinach or eaten raw in salads. Borage is often used to infuse iced beverages such as punch because of its cucumber like flavour. Borage is used for medicinal infusions to help treat colds, bronchitis and rheumatic conditions as well as topically; to treat skin rashes, as an antiseptic for mouthwashes, eyes washes and poultices.

Today, the borage plant is grown and harvested not for its leaves and stems, but rather for the very valuable oil found in its seeds – borage oil. The great value of this oil is that it is the richest known source (24%) of an essential fatty acid called gamma- linolenic acid (GLA). Borage Oil is a little known secret for keeping your skin healthy. It is a natural oil that not only restores moisture and smoothness to dry and damaged skin, but can also provide relief to people who suffer from chronic skin disorders such as eczema and atopic dermatitis.
(please consult a medical professonial or do your own research prior to use)