What is borage? Also known as starflower, borage is an herb notable for its vibrant purple flowers and medicinal properties.
What is a borage in English?
Borage (/ˈbʌrɪdʒ/ ( listen) or /ˈbɒrɪdʒ/; Borago officinalis), also known as starflower, is an annual herb in the flowering plant family Boraginaceae. It is native to the Mediterranean region, and has naturalized in many other locales.
What is the plant called borage?
Borage, also known as starflower or bee flower, is a plant harvested mostly for its seeds. It’s an annual plant with coarse, hairy leaves. It grows 2 to 3 feet tall and has blue, star-shaped flowers. The leaves and stems are a grey-green color.
What do you use borage herb for?
Borage flower and leaves are used for fever, cough, and depression. Borage is also used for a hormone problem called adrenal insufficiency, for “blood purification,” to increase urine flow, to prevent inflammation of the lungs, as a sedative, and to promote sweating.
What part of borage is edible?
Eating borage.
Both the leaves and flower are edible and can be used in delicious sweet and savoury recipes. It can be eaten raw in delicious mixed green salads, chopped into yoghurts, cheese and even added to stocks, soups and stews or simply added for garnish.
Who should not take borage oil?
Borage oil products should be certified free of UPAs, meeting the criterion of no more than 0.5-1 ug/g (2). Liver disease: Patients with liver problems should avoid this product. Pregnancy or breastfeeding: Borage may have teratogenic effects, or cause premature labor (9) or infant methemoglobinemia (36).
Why do farmers grow borage?
Traditionally, Borage is also used in herbal medicine, while commercially it is harvested as an oil seed. The large seeds, which grow in a hard pod, are a great source of linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid also found in linseed and walnut oil.
Is comfrey and borage the same thing?
Borage and comfrey are two different species, but they are members of the same plant family and look very similar when not in bloom. Whereas comfrey is a perennial plant (comes back every year), borage (Borago officinalis)is an annual that happily re-seeds.
Are borage plants poisonous?
The borage plant, also known as the starflower, is an herb that is incredibly toxic to cats. The plant may also cause mild skin irritation in humans. The borage plant belongs to the Boraginaceae family and is often used as a medicinal remedy for humans.
Are there different types of borage?
Two varieties of common borage deserve a special mention: Borago officinalis ˈVariegataˈ: this variety displays delicate blue flowers and variegated leaves. Borago officinalis ˈAlbaˈ: also called white borage, this variety usually flowers later in the season.
Is borage oil good for wrinkles?
Fights Aging
As borage oil is known for its high levels of GLA, using it daily to fight anti-aging may help treat any symptoms such as fine lines and wrinkles. Getting the right amount of GLA can help maintain youthful skin, working hormones, and a great metabolism.
Does borage oil help hair grow?
Borage oil is known to restore strength, shine and radiance to dry, brittle, dull and tired hair. Its composition also makes it very effective to boost hair growth and fight against hair loss. Borage oil can be applied as a hair care product on the ends and lengths of the hair.
Is borage oil good for arthritis?
Borage seed oil is a nutritional supplement which is rich in essential fatty acids that can regulate the body’s immune system and fight joint inflammation. The available evidence suggests that borage seed oil may improve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
How do you prepare borage to eat?
Wash young borage leaves and remove stalks. Chop finely and cook in a little butter in a covered saucepan over a very low heat. Season to taste. The dampness of the washed leaves should be enough to keep them from sticking to the bottom; they should soon be tender and their hairy texture disappears when cooked.
Is borage toxic to dogs?
Unfortunately, these plants are not good for your dog or other small animals, causing intestinal upset, respiratory distress, and can be fatal if not treated right away. If you think your dog has eaten borage, it is essential to take your furry friend to the veterinarian or animal hospital right away.
Should I deadhead borage?
Pinch tips of young plants to keep borage compact and bushy and snip the leaves as needed for use in the kitchen. You can also trim the plant if it looks overgrown in mid-summer. Be sure to deadhead blooms as soon as they wilt. Otherwise, the plant will go to seed and blooming will end early.
Can borage oil raise blood pressure?
Abstract. Dietary borage oil rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) has been shown to lower blood pressure in Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).
Is borage oil a blood thinner?
Borage seed oil might slow blood clotting in some people. Borage seed oil contains GLA (gamma linolenic acid). GLA is the part of borage seed oil that might slow blood clotting. Taking borage seed oil along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.
Does borage oil raise cholesterol?
On the other hand, borage oil did lower plasma triglyceride readings and raise HDL cholesterol readings (mean starting values in normal range for triglycerides, borderline low for HDL). No effect was seen for body mass index, plasma total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, or glucose.
What should not be planted with borage?
Borage is deer-proof. Brassicas (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, kohlrabi, turnip) – All benefit from chamomile, dill, mint, rosemary, and sage. Avoid planting near eggplants, peppers, potatoes, or tomatoes.
Does borage attract ants?
Common Pest and Cultural Problems
They leave a sticky residue on foliage that attracts ants.