Throughout history borage has been described as a source of happiness and joy, to comfort, to encourage and to elevate your spirits.
Also known as starflower, it is easily recognised by the fine, bristly hairs covering both the stem and large leaves and by its vivid sky-blue, star-shaped flowers.
It is a sturdy, self-seeding annual that will grow in any home garden and will germinate year after year. Be careful, however, that it does not take over your garden.
The cucumber-flavoured flowers are excellent for garnishes or vinegars and can be dried and stored. This herb can also be used in soups, salads, preserves, borage jelly, sauces, cooked as a stand-alone vegetable, or used in desserts.
Borage is also 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, fibre, choline, and, again, trace minerals.
In alternative medicine it is used for stimulating breast milk production and as an adrenal gland tonic; thus it can be used to relieve stress. Borage leaves infused in boiling water, and used as a facial steam will improve dry, sensitive skin, and when the same infusion is applied as a cold tea compress to the legs it will help in the prevention of varicose veins.
Combined and infused with chives and drunk as a herbal tea it promotes the growth of healthy hair and strengthens the fingernails.
Borage flowers may be picked and eaten straight from the plant and are rich in nectar and silicic acid, the latter aiding healthy growth of hair, nails, and the lining of the mucous membranes.
For strengthening the fingernails, add three tablespoons each of fresh borage and chives to a ceramic tea pot, pour in half-a-litre of boiling water, infuse for five minutes, then strain into individual cups. Leftover tea will keep in the refrigerator for the remainder of the day.
Drink a cup of borage tea morning and night, or as needed, but not more than four cups a day. To speed up the beneficial effects of the tea, add a pinch of cayenne.