Borage, Borrago

Growth form:

Flowering plant, also known as "starflower"

General habitat:

Temperate and mild climates

Uses:

• Edible: With a taste comparable to that of cucumber, borage has various culinary applications. The leaves can be used as a salad green and the flowers as edible decorations. This herb can be used in soups, salads, borage-citronade, borage jelly, various sauces, cooked as a stand-alone vegetable, or used in desserts in the form of fresh or candied flowers.

Medicinal Uses:

• Stimulates breast milk production
• Pressed seed oil can be used for menstrual and irritable bowel problems, eczema, blood pressure, arthritis, and hangover.
• A leaf and flower infusion is a tonic for stress, depression, or cortisone and steroid treatment.
• Infusion also reduces fevers, dry coughs, and dry skin rashes

Outside Info:

Harpers: The flowers produce a nice pure blue for paints.