Herb & Spice Companion

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HERB & SPICE COMPANION

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BORAGE

Borago officinalis

Flavors: fresh, cool,

cucumber-like

With its delicate, star-shaped blue flow-

ers and refreshing cucumber flavor,

borage is a wonderful addition to any

herb or flower garden. It makes a handy

growing companion for other plants

(especially tomatoes and strawberries),

as it repels pests and attracts bees.

The fresh, young leaves and flowers

are a welcome addition to salads, veg-

etable dishes, and pastas. Older, larger

leaves have a prickly layer of hair that

can be softened and made more palat-

able in stews and soups or when cooked

like spinach. Flowers make a beautiful

garnish for salads, cold summertime

beverages, and baked sweets.

In the Garden

Borage, annual, grows healthily in containers. For a steady supply of leaves and flow-

ers, sow seeds every month throughout the growing season.

Size: Up to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide

Container: 12 inches deep and wide

Light: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Rich, well drained, but will grow in almost any soil

Plant: Seeds

HEALTH BENEFITS

Known as the “star flower” and

the “herb of gladness,” borage has

been used since ancient times for its

mood-boosting effects, and has even

been prescribed as an antidepressant

and stress reliever. In fact, borage

has been shown to positively

affect the adrenal glands and calm

the nerves. It’s used to promote

sweating in cases of fever, and treat

coughs, infections, and inflammation

throughout the body, including

topically for skin conditions.

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