Borage Facts
Borage Facts
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| Interesting Borage Facts: |
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| Borage has hollow, hairy stem that can reach 3 feet in height and 2 feet in width. |
| Borage produces broad, oval, dark green leaves. They are fuzzy (due to numerous hairs on the surface) and alternately arranged on the stem. |
| Borage is also known as "starflower" because of its star-shaped flowers arranged in the form of elongated, terminal clusters. Flowers contain both types of reproductive organs (perfect flowers) and they are blue-colored. Certain varieties of borage produce pink and white flowers. |
| Borage blooms from May to October. Flowers are rich source of nectar which attracts bees and bumblebees, main pollinators of this plant. Borage is one of the most frequently visited plants (by bees) in the gardens, hence the nickname "bee bush". |
| Fruit of borage are four brownish nutlets. Borage easily self-seeds (that means that plant propagates itself via seed without external help). |
| Borage is rich source of vitamins A and C and minerals such as iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium. |
| Leaves of borage are edible. They have cucumber-like aroma. Leaves can be consumed fresh (in the form of salads) or cooked as green vegetables. They can be also used for the preparation of soups, sauces, borage-flavored lemonade and tea. |
| Only young and tender leaves are tasty. Old leaves have rough texture and bitter taste. Unlike other culinary herbs, borage leaves are not used in dried form. |
| Flowers of borage are also edible. They have sweet, honey-like taste. Flowers can be consumed fried or candied. They are also used for decoration of cakes and other sweet desserts. |
| Borage is especially popular and commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine. |
| Borage was used for the manufacture of wine in the ancient Rome. Borage wine was used to fortify soldiers before battles. |
| Seed of borage are rich source of omega-6 fatty acid. They are used for the industrial manufacture of edible borage oil. |
| Infusion made of borage leaves and seed is used to stimulate secretion of milk in women. Borage is also effective in treatment of nervous tension and depression, rheumatoid arthritis, premenstrual syndrome, asthma, bronchitis, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disorders. |
| Borage can protect spinach, tomatoes and legumes from the pest in the gardens. |
| Borage is an annual plant, which means that it completes its life cycle in one year. |
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