Borage

BORAGE (Borago officinalis)
(Bugloss, Burrage, Herb of Gladness,
Starflower)Cultivation - Well drained, moist soil in full
sun. Will tolerate poor dry soil

Propagation - Seed sown in Spring

Flowers - appear in early Summer

Harvest - Leaves are picked in Spring and Summer
as the plant starts to flower. Flowers are picked as
they open and seperated from the calyx

Dimensions - 30cm-1m high 15-30cm wide

USES

Medicinal

Internal - Fevers, bronchial infections
(including pleurisy and tuberculosis), mouth and
throat infections, dry skin, cirrhosis and chronic
nephritis, ringworm, skin conditions (especially
where you would use Evening Primrose), rheumatic
complaints and premenstral syndrome

External - Eyewashes, gargles, mouthwashes and
poultices

**Skin irritant and possible allergen. May
cause liver damage in large doses

Culinary - Used to flavour alcohol. Add to salads
and soft cheeses. Cook with your vegetables. It can
be candied or made into a sweet syrup. The flowers
can frozen in ice cubes to add to homemade lemonade

Magical - Courage, Psychic Powers

FOLKLORE AND HISTORY

Carrying the fresh blossoms will strengthen your
courage and wearing it through your buttonhole (easier
said than done as the flowers detach from the plant
very easily) will protect you when walking outdoors.
Borago comes from the latin word ‘burra’ which
translates to “hairy garment”, which is exactly what
the plant looks like. Pliny called the plant
Euphrosinum due to the euphoric effect of the plant
(hence the name Herb of Gladness) and is perhaps why
it was once used as an antidote to poison. Borage can
be used when made into a tea as an eye wash for cats
but make sure you strain the tea through muslin or a
coffee filter to remove all the fine hairs first.

Sources:

Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by
Scott Cunningham (ISBN 0875421229) Published by Llewellyn Publications

The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of
Herbs and Their Uses by Deni Bown (ISBN 0751333867) Published by
DK

Themes for Herb Gardens by Kim Fletcher (ISBN
0670906751) Published by Viking

The Essential Herb Garden (Growing and Using Herbs in
Australia) by Gilian Painter (ISBN 1864290455)
Published by Millenium Books

The Complete New Herbal by Richard Mabey (ISBN
0140126821) Published by Penguin

Disclaimer: This is for reference guide only.
Herbs can be used
effectively for mild ailments but medical advice
should be consulted
first to rule out major illnesses.