Borage, also known as a starflower, is an annual herb. It is native to the Mediterranean
region and has naturalized in many other locales. It grows satisfactorily in gardens in the
UK climate, remaining in the garden from year to year by self-seeding. The leaves are edible
and the plant is grown in gardens for that purpose in some parts of Europe. The plant
is also commercially cultivated for borage seed oil extracted from its seeds.
Appearance It grows to a height of 60–100 cm, and
is bristly or hairy all over the stems and leaves; the leaves are alternate, simple,
and 5–15 cm long. The flowers are complete, perfect with five narrow, triangular-pointed
petals. Flowers are most often blue in color, although pink flowers are sometimes observed.
White flowered types are also cultivated. The blue flower is genetically dominant over
the white flower. The flowers arise along scorpioid cymes to form large floral displays
with multiple flowers blooming simultaneously, suggesting that borage has a high degree of
geitonogamy. It has an indeterminate growth habit which may lead to prolific spreading.
In temperate climate such as in the UK, its flowering season is relatively long, from
June to September. In milder climates, borage will bloom continuously for most of the year.
Characteristics and uses
Traditionally borage was cultivated for culinary and medicinal uses, although today commercial
cultivation is mainly as an oilseed. The seed oil is desired as source of gamma-linolenic
acid, for which borage is the highest known plant-based source. The seed oil content is
between 26-38% and in addition to GLA contains the fatty acids palmitic acid, stearic acid,
oleic acid, linoleic acid, eicosenoic acid, erucic acid, and nervonic acid. The oil is
often marketed as "starflower oil" or "borage oil" for uses as a GLA supplement, although
healthy adults will typically produce ample GLA through dietary linoleic acid.
Borage is used as either a fresh vegetable or a dried herb. As a fresh vegetable, borage,
with a cucumber-like taste, is often used in salads or as a garnish. The flower, which
contains the non-toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid thesinine, has a sweet honey-like taste and
is one of the few truly blue-colored edible substances, is often used to decorate desserts.
It is notable that the leaves have been found to contain small amounts of the liver-toxic
PAs intermedine, lycopsamine, amabiline and supinine. Leaves contain mainly the toxic
lycopsamine also amabiline and the non-toxic saturated PA thesinine. PAs are also present
in borage seed oil, but may be removed depending on method of processing.
Vegetable use of borage is common in Germany, in the Spanish regions of Aragón and Navarra,
in the Greek island of Crete and in the northern Italian region of Liguria. Although often
used in soups, one of the better known German borage recipes is the Green Sauce made in
Frankfurt. In Italian Liguria, borage is commonly used as a filling of the traditional pasta
ravioli and pansoti. The leaves and flowers were originally used in Pimms before being
replaced by mint or cucumber peel. It is used to flavour pickled gherkins in Poland.
Borage is also traditionally used as a garnish in the Pimms Cup cocktail, but is sometimes
replaced by a long sliver of cucumber peel if not available. It is also one of the key
"Botanical" flavourings in Gilpin's Westmorland Extra Dry Gin.
A methanol extract of borage has shown strong amoebicidal activity in vitro. The 50% inhibitory
concentration of the extract for Entamoeba histolytica was only 33 µg/mL.
Traditional medicine
Traditionally Borago officinalis is used in hyperactive gastrointestinal, respiratory
and cardiovascular disorders, such as gastrointestinal, airways, cardiovascular,, urinary.
In Iran people make a tea for relieve colds, flu, bronchitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and
kidney inflammation. It is said to be warm in nature and alleviates symptoms that are
caused by using food that is cold in nature such as cucumber and fish. People with heart
problems can benefit using the borage tea, since it promotes reaching more oxygen to
the heart, that’s why one should use this herb in moderate amounts.
Naturopathic practitioners use borage for regulation of metabolism and the hormonal
system, and consider it to be a good remedy for PMS and menopause symptoms such as the
hot flash. The flowers can be prepared in infusion.
One case of status epilepticus has been reported that was associated with borage oil ingestion.
Companion planting Borage is used in companion planting. It is
said to protect or nurse legumes, spinach, brassicas, and even strawberries. It is also
said to be a good companion plant to tomatoes because it confuses the search image of the
mother moths of tomato hornworms or manduca looking for a place to lay their eggs. Claims
that it improves tomato growth and makes them taste better remain unsubstantiated.
See also List of companion plants
References
External links "Borage". The American Cyclopædia. 1879.
"Borage". MissouriBotanicalGarden.org.