Navigation Path: Home arrow Environment arrow Garden arrow Borage (Borago officinalis)  
 
Borage (Borago officinalis) Print E-mail
Didi Hofmann   
Thursday, 15 December 2005

Borage

Did you know that Borage was used by the Romans to relieve hangovers? Borage (Borago officinalis) is one of nature's best tonics for stress and depression. So if the pre-Christmas parties have put you into reverse mode, reach for the big B.

Pour a cup of boiling water over a quarter cup of freshly picked leaves, steep for five minutes, drain and sip. Drink once or twice a day for a few days. This ancient herb is associated with courage and in medieval times was infused in wine as a tonic to banish melancholy.

Borage has properties that also help relieve chest colds, coughs, bronchitis and fevers. A poultice of crushed Borage leaves will relieve insect bites and stings, reduce swelling and bruising.

For a non-stop supply of leaves plant your own Borage. It is a lovely garden plant, with small bright blue flowers and an informal growth habit, reaching a height of 60cm. It is water wise, easily growing in poor soil in a sunny spot. Although an annual it seeds itself, coming up year after year.

The bright blue flowers are a bonus and yummy in salads. The leaves have a light cucumber taste and are seriously nutritious - full of calcium, potassium and minerals. Shred fresh leaves into salads, cream cheese or cook like spinach and eat it with everything. The decorative flowers can be added to salads, punches and desserts.

Make Borage fritters by dipping the leaves in batter and frying until crisp. Add shredded leaves to salad or mix with cream cheese and gherkins for a dip or sandwich filling.

Di-Di is the owner of Bouquet Garni Nursery - South Africa's Top Potted Herb Growers and Marketers. You'll find hundreds of tips and recipes to help you get the most from your herbs, and his insanely popular FREE Timeless Herb Secrets e-newsletter, on his website www.herb.co.za.

Share |
Disclaimer: Harmonious Living is written for and read by a community of individuals with strong and independent opinions. While the publishers of Harmonious Living are dedicated to providing a forum in which views can be openly expressed, those views do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers.
Related Articles

 
 
 
 
Contact Us | Sitemap | Terms & Conditions | Search | Login | About HL | News | Advertise
 
 
     
You may also like: Green or Nothing
Designed & Maintained by
Salsanet Solutions