FoodFood InformationHerbs&Spice
BORAGE (Borago officinalis)
This distinctive annual has branching stems that grow from a single tap
root to about 1-3 feet tall. The gray- green leaves are 4-6 inches long
and, like the stems, are covered with bristly hairs. Borage produces beautiful
star shaped, peacock blue flowers that nod downward in leafy clusters at
the tips of stems.
Medieval literature states that borage is supposed to give strength of heart,
courage, and joyfulness to anyone who eats the leaves or drinks wine in
which the flowers or leaves are floating: appropriately, astrologers placed
it under the reign of Jupiter-the largest planet, named after the king of
the Roman gods-and the zodiac sign of Leo, which is symbolized by the lion.
In the past, borage has been used to help cure fevers; but the descriptions
of its virtues by early writers are contradictory, some saying that it is
cooling and others that it is spicy hot. You'll have to try it yourself
to find which is correct.
Borage likes sun or filtered shade, slightly poor soil, and only moderate
amounts of water. It grows readily from seeds sown in the spring and will
re-seed itself so easily that it can become a weed in mild climates. Plants
are best used where they can be seen close up: in border plantings and in
containers, for example. They take up a lot of room in the garden and don't
transplant well, so space plants a generous distance apart.
The leaves have a cucumber-like flavor and can be used in salads and pickling
or can be cooked as a green and eaten like spinach. Cut the flowers just
after they open for use in arrangements or for color in potpourris: They
also can be floated in iced drinks or candied and used to decorate cakes
and ice cream.