Wild Herb of the Day: Borage

Borago officinalis, also called Common Bugloss, Starflower

"I, Borage, bring always courage."
This rhyme, familiar for centuries, points to Borage's use as a tonic and soothing herb to strengthen the heart and lift the spirits. Borage leaves and flowers were a popular remedy for depression in the medieval era, when knights drank a Borage infusion before entering a jousting tournament. Known since Roman times, possibly earlier, Borage was grown in gardens throughout Europe, then brought by settlers to North America, where it now flourishes as a self-seeding weed. Depending on the soil Borage grows in, its charming flowers will be a range of royal blue to magenta pink, with amazing hues of purple in between.

The leaves and flowers of this plant are anti-inflammatory: They contain mucilage, or a slippery, soothing agent, useful in brews for coughs, sore throat, fevers, and inflammations of the skin, kidneys, and bladder. You wouldn't know it by handling Borage with your bare hands, since its stems and leaves are covered with prickly hairs! Wear gloves, then use the leaves in making a pleasant, cucumber-tasting tea, or a refreshing medicinal wine. The leaves can also be eaten raw in salad once you get those prickles off (it's okay, they don't sting, like nettles do), or cooked as a green vegetable. The flowers, beautiful as they are, can be used to garnish food or drink, or even candied and used in desserts, as you would candy rose petals — I've found making candied flowers takes a little time, but the results are lovely, and tasty!

Some studies suggest that consuming large amounts of Borage is unsafe, and can lead to health problems. This is the sort of thing the FDA is apt to suggest, in the interest of public safety and their own credibility. I would concur, saying it's not wise to eat vast quantities of any herb, even a relatively mild one. However, Borage has been eaten for centuries with seemingly very little, if any, ill effects.

You'll likely find some Borage still flourishing at this time of year; I've found some this week, even after our local spell of unusually hot weather, resulting in plants going to seed two months early! Borage has a common cousin, Viper's Bugloss, another prickly, mucilaginous weed with cute little rounded blue flowers instead of star-shaped ones. This plant is widespread here in Western Oregon and was in full bloom earlier this year, but has mostly gone to seed and dried out. If you have a garden, Borage is a favourite treat of honey-bees, who make delicious honey from it. Watch both Borage and Viper's Bugloss carefully, if you do invite them in — they live up to their courageous reputation, and love to take over a yard, prickles, cute blue flowers and all!

 Above: Another member of the Bugloss family, cousin to Borage.