Foraging Food Borage

Borage’s official name is Borago officinalis. It is considered an annual herb, however it self-seeds if you allow it to, making it seem more like a perennial. Borage has a long list of common names including: Bee Plant, Beebread, Borage Flower, Borage Leaf, Borage Oil, Borage Seed Oil, Borago, Borago officinalis, Borraja, Bourrache, Bourrache Commune, Burage, Burrage, Common Borage, Common Bugloss, Cool Tankard, Feuille de Bourrache, Fleur de Bourrache, Huile de Bourrache, Huile de Graines de Bourrache, Langue de Bœuf, Ox's Tongue, Pain-des-Abeilles, Talewort, Starflower, Starflower Oil.

Image Source: Pixabay.com

Plant Information

Borage grows between 24 to 36 inches high and will reach out 16 to 20 inches wide. It prefers soil that is fairly rich, so add in some high-quality compost or manure before planting. It does not like to get its feet wet so make sure your soil is well drained.

Because it self-seeds so easily, it makes a great seed to use in Seed Bombs. When you get a chance to take a walk through the woods or across a field, try dropping a few bombs near the tree line. They need some sun, but if you live in southern states, you don’t want it to get all day sun. It would probably be too much for it.

It makes a good companion plant for your garden, especially if you grow strawberries, tomatoes, squash, cucumbers or any veggie that needs bees to help with pollination. It attracts bees so you will have plenty to ensure a good harvest from your garden. Honey bees can also use the flowers to make their honey. They give the honey a nice flavor.

Medicinal Uses

WARNING: The flowers and leaves are safe to eat for most people, however, unless you have the ability to test the chemical composition of the oil, DO NOT make your own oil and take it internally. Some borage seed oil contains a dangerous chemical called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). PAs can damage the liver and can cause cancer when taken for a length of time.

Borage seed oil is the medicinal part. There is a long list of things it is thought to help with, but make sure you buy oil that states it is PA free.

A word of caution for pregnant women. Speak with your doctor before eat while pregnant. I read articles with differing opinion on it’s safety during pregnancy. Better to be safe than sorry and leave it alone.

Photo by David Wright, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Eat the Leaves and Flowers

Both the leaves and the flowers are edible and have been eaten since ancient times. The leaves taste much like cucumber and are often added to drinks to impart that fresh clean taste into the drink. But use them fresh. After they have been dried, most of the flavor is gone from them. They are still edible and can help fill an empty stomach, it just won’t be as tasty as fresh.

Both the leaves and the flowers can be added to a wide range of dishes. Drinks (including alcoholic drinks), teas, soups, veggie dishes, stir fry’s, desserts.

My other foraging articles

Cattails
Wild and Mock Strawberries
Seed Bombs
Clover
Fried Dandelion Flowers Recipe
Dandelions
Food Foraging 101 – part 1
Food Foraging 101 - part 2
Food Foraging 10 1- part 3

Sources:

webmd.com
gardeningknowhow.com
rootsimple.com
herb.co.za

Disclaimer:

I cannot be responsible if you have an allergic reaction to a plant or misidentify a plant. Always do your homework. It is always best to see plants in all stages of their life cycle. Take photos, compare to known examples, ask questions in forums specific to foraging. Eating any unknown plant can be hazardous to your health.