We’ve talked a bit about borage before, but it’s a beautiful and delicious plant, and deserves a revisit! It’s not only a great companion plant, but it’s a useful one to herbalists.
Borago officinalis is a cooling and moistening relative of comfrey. This is important information to remember. We actually don’t have that many moistening herbs. It’s a short list and borage is on it!
Though borage isn’t used as frequently today as it was in the past, I believe its benefits are still extremely relevant, considering we tend to burn ourselves out with expectations that are too high and going at a non-stop breakneck pace.
Benefits of Borage
- emotional exhaustion, pushing yourself too hard
- cold including respiratory issues, especially congestion
- heart palpitations
- menopause symptoms such as exhaustion and hot flashes
Parts & Preparations
- parts used are the fresh, above-ground parts during flowering
- borage is good infused in vodka, wine or honey/syrup; dosing is very small: 1 to 3 drops 1-3 times a day
- eat the early, small leaves and flowers in salads or as a garnish; they both taste a lot like cucumber!
Taste
- slightly sweet and salty
This means it
- is building and toning; this is especially true of the nervous system and emotional heart
- includes minerals
- is diuretic
Here’s a video on the basics of growing borage and how to incorporate it into a permaculture system:
