One of my favorite garden plants to grow is Borage. It is very hardy and easy to cultivate, the flowers are so pretty and delicious too. When I am out watering my garden, I love just plucking the flowers off and eating them. They have many uses other than being pretty and tasty.
The borage herb is an old-fashioned plant that can get up to 2 feet (61 cm.) tall, or more. It is native to the Middle East and has an ancient history in war as an enhancement for bravery and courage. Growing borage provides the gardener with cucumber-flavored leaves for tea and other beverages as well as bright, starry blue flowers for decorating salads. All parts of the plant, except the roots, are flavorful and have culinary or medicinal uses.
Borage seed oil contains a fatty acid called gamma linolenic acid (GLA). GLA seems to have anti-inflammatory effects. Borage flower might have an antioxidant effect.
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.
So this sweet little old fashioned plant has many beneficial uses. I hope you will have the chance to grow some.
Colleen
grizzyLu 