Borage is a plant with blue flowers that was introduced to Britain by the Romans and grows wild in some areas. Its leaves, flowers and stalks are edible and taste a little like cucumber. Borage leaves are good in salads, yoghurt or cream cheese mixtures, or served with shellfish.
What do you do with borage plants?
This herb can be used in soups, salads, borage-lemonade, strawberry-borage cocktails, preserves, borage jelly, various sauces, cooked as a stand-alone vegetable, or used in desserts in the form of fresh or candied flowers, to name a few.21 Jan 2011
What parts of borage is edible?
leaves
What part of borage is medicinal?
All parts of the borage plant contain medicinal properties. The flowers are the most commonly used part, but the leaves and oil from the seeds are useful if you want to create herbal remedies. Oil from the seeds is sold as a popular borage oil herbal supplement, and it's a plant-based source of Omega fatty acids.5 Apr 2021
Does borage grow back?
Borage will bloom for many weeks if the older flowers are trimmed off, and you can often push tattered plants to make a comeback by pruning them back halfway in midsummer. Healthy borage plants shed numerous black seeds, so expect to see volunteers for two years after growing borage.21 Jan 2020
Does borage reseed itself?
Borage is easily grown from seed and will readily reseed itself. This plant does best in dry, sunny places. Although it is difficult to transplant, you can stretch out the harvest by sowing three times at 4-week intervals. Spacing: 18" between rows and 12" between plants.30 Apr 2021
Is borage an annual or perennial?
Borage is an annual, which means it completes its life cycle within one growing season. It grows readily from seed which can be sown directly in the ground no special equipment required.7 Jan 2021
Does borage survive winter?
Winter growing: Borage is an annual that will die back in freezing weather. In mild-winter regions, borage may survive the winter to flower again next summer.
Are borage leaves toxic?
Keep in mind that the borage plant also contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which are compounds that can be toxic to the liver and may contribute to cancer growth ( 16 ).2 Apr 2020
Can you eat raw borage leaves?
Eating borage. Both the leaves and flower are edible and can be used in delicious sweet and savoury recipes. It can be eaten raw in delicious mixed green salads, chopped into yoghurts, cheese and even added to stocks, soups and stews or simply added for garnish.5 Mar 2020
How do you prepare borage to eat?
Wash young borage leaves and remove stalks. Chop finely and cook in a little butter in a covered saucepan over a very low heat. Season to taste. The dampness of the washed leaves should be enough to keep them from sticking to the bottom; they should soon be tender and their hairy texture disappears when cooked.7 Jul 2015
What part of borage do you harvest?
Pick borage flowers before they are fully open. The flowers are edible and make colorful additions to salads. Pull the leaves and flowers off with your fingers or clip them with scissors. Discard any brown or withered portions.
Can you eat borage stem?
Borage is a plant with blue flowers that was introduced to Britain by the Romans and grows wild in some areas. Its leaves, flowers and stalks are edible and taste a little like cucumber.