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Borage Blue

Name: Borage Blue - Kahikatea Farm Certified Organic Nursery and Permaculture Farm
Price: 6.50 NZD
Availability: InStock

Borago officinalis

$6.50

Annual herb native to the Mediterranean region. A well known companion plant, with large hairy leaves and bright blue edible flowers which attract bees. Height to 60cm. Self-seeds.

9cm pot

Cultivation

Happy in a wide range of soil types in full sun or part shade. Keep plants well watered and feed with a nitrogen rich fertiliser if aiming for leaf production, and keep flower heads cut back.

Uses

The leaves contain calcium and potassium and are said to have a cucumber-like flavour. They can be finely chopped (to mitigate the rough texture) and added to salads. They also make a delicious cooked green, either briefly boiled or sauteed, and are a common ingredient in various European dishes, including as a stuffing in ravioli in Italy, to flavour pickled gherkins in Poland and Russia, and in soups and ‘Green Sauce’ in Germany (this is the German equivalent of salsa verde and includes chervil, cress, parsley, salad burnet, sorrel and chives).

The leaves can also be used to flavour the very English gin-based drink Pimms.

The flowers are sweet tasting and can be used in salads, as an edible garnish for desserts and cocktails, or frozen to make decorative ice cubes.

Borage is the highest known plant source of gamma-linolenic acid (an Omega 6 fatty acid, also known as GLA) and the seed oil is often marketed as a GLA supplement. It is also a source of B vitamins, beta-carotene, fiber, choline, and, again, trace minerals.

As the plant accumulates calcium, silica and potassium it is a useful addition to a compost heap, or can be used for mulching. It also provides good forage food for chooks and ducks. An edible blue dye can be made from the flowers.

The flowers produce copious nectar, making them an absolute magnet for bees.

Medicinal Uses

Some studies show borage can kill and inhibit the growth of cancer cells and there are many other medicinal claims for the plant, including beneficial effects on the mind and dispelling melancholy. It is also used for stimulating breast milk production and as an adrenal gland tonic.

Primary Actions: adaptogen, demulcent, nervine, trophorestorative, hormone-modulator

Parts Used: leaves, flowers, seed

Energetics: cooling, moistening

History / Folklore / Further Info

John Gerard’s Herball mentions an old verse concerning the plant: “Ego Borago, Gaudia semper ago (I, Borage, bring always joys)”, and concurs:

“Those of our time do use the flowers in salads to exhilerate and make the mind glad. There be also many things made of these used everywhere for the comfort of the heart, for the driving away of sorrow and increasing the joy of the mind. The leaves and flowers of Borage put into wine make men and women glad and merry and drive away all sadness, dullness and melancholy, as Dioscorides and Pliny affirm. Syrup made of the flowers of Borage comfort the heart, purge melancholy and quiet the frantic and lunatic person. The leaves eaten raw engender good blood, especially in those that have been lately sick.”

Shipping Advice

N.B. Shipping costs are added AFTER you have placed your order, you will then be emailed an invoice with bank details.

Smallest box rate:
This can fit up to 9 plants in 9cm pots.

Shipping a single tree can be expensive. We may be able to fit more in the box for the same price! See our shipping rates for single and multi tree boxes.

Combining sizes?
No problem, we will work out the best rate for you once you’ve placed your order.

Medical disclaimer

Jo has a passion for growing herbs but is not a qualified herbalist and has no medical background.

We are lucky to have Patricia Beagle working here at times, who is qualified, and some of her advice does appear on these pages, but herbs act differently for different people and can interact with other medicines. We therefore always recommend that you consult with your own qualified health-care practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing or on any medications.

Kahikatea Farm cannot take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants or a plant not having the effect it is reputed to have.