Borage is a storehouse of healing substances. borage

• Landing: sowing seeds in the ground - before winter or early spring.
• Bloom: in June-July.
• Lighting: bright sunlight.
• The soil: fertile, loose, moist, neutral reaction.
• Watering: only during dry periods.
• Feeding: when growing on poor soils, it is advisable to add a complex complex to the soil 2-3 times per season. mineral fertilizer in liquid form.
• Reproduction: seed.
• Diseases: leaf spotting.
• Pests: whiteflies.
• Properties: the plant has healing properties.

Read more about growing borage below.

Borage - description

The herb borage is an annual stiff-haired plant from 60 to 100 cm high with a tap root, a thick straight or ascending ribbed rod, hollow inside and branching at the top. The lower stem and basal leaves of the plant with a rounded top have an oval or elliptical shape, and the upper stem leaves are oblong-ovate, broadly linear and stem-encompassing. The leaves of borage, like the stems, are covered with whitish subulate hairs. The dark blue flowers of borage are located on long stalks, densely covered with protruding bristles, and are collected in curls that form a corymbose panicle. The fruits of borage are oblong-ovoid, tuberous and wrinkled nuts up to 5 mm long. Seeds ripening in nuts remain viable for up to three years and are easily spilled onto the ground when ripe.

Growing borage in the garden

Planting borage

Growing borage is not difficult: it grows quickly, has enviable frost resistance and reproduces so easily by self-sowing that it can be very difficult to remove it from the site. Planting borage and caring for this unpretentious plant does not contain any subtleties.

In the photo: Growing borage or borage

Borage seeds are sown before winter or early spring, but if you do not need medicinal raw materials, but only tender greens, you can sow borage every two weeks all summer.

Borage grows best on fertile, loose, well-moistened neutral soils, which are freed from weeds before sowing and fertilized with organic matter for digging at the rate of 5-6 kg per m².

Borago seeds are sown when sown to a depth of 1-2 cm, and the rows are placed at a distance of 40-45 cm from each other. When seedlings appear, they are thinned out in increments of 15-20 cm.

Caring for borage

Caring for borage consists of watering the area during the dry season, weeding and loosening the soil between the rows. If you are growing borage in decorative purposes, to extend the flowering period, you need to remove faded flowers and faded shoots. When growing borage on poor soils You can add universal mineral fertilizer to the soil in the form of a solution. The growing season of borage is from 70 to 80 days.

Collection and storage of borage

IN medicinal purposes use grass, flowers and borage seeds. The leaves can be harvested during flowering: they are cut into thin strips, laid out in one layer on cloth or paper and dried in the shade in the air or in a room with good ventilation. When using a dryer, set the temperature to no higher than 40˚C.

Collected borage flowers are poured sugar syrup or honey and stored in the refrigerator, but you can dry and store them like leaves.

Borage seeds are collected when the fruits become Brown color. They are laid out in one layer on paper or cloth, ripened and dried under the same conditions as borage grass or flowers. Dry fruits are threshed.

Store borage raw materials in a dry and cool place no more than a year.

Types and varieties of borage

Most Popular vegetable varieties of borage are:

• Vladykinskoe Semko: This plant has large, oval, heavily pubescent leaves, large blue flowers and a strong cucumber smell;
• Dwarf– resistant to low temperatures variety with a branched stem and a strong cucumber aroma.

The varieties Aprelsky, Rucheek and Okroshka are also in demand among gardeners. Ornamental borage presented in two varieties:

• Alba– a plant with white flowers;
• Variegata– variegated form of borage.

Properties of borage (borage) - harm and benefit

Beneficial properties of borage

The medicinal properties of cucumber have been known for a long time. In the past, borage leaves were used to treat gout, articular arthritis and skin diseases caused by metabolic disorders. The plant contains resins, carotene, ascorbic acid, malic acid and citric acid, oil, potassium and calcium.

In the photo: How borage blooms in the garden

Borage is a diaphoretic, enveloping, sedative, mild laxative and diuretic. Borage oil, taken orally, normalizes metabolism in the body, stimulates immune system and improves emotional condition, enhancing the production of joy hormones. This drug is effective for stomach ulcers and gastritis. Borage contains hormones that have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the adrenal glands, which is necessary after taking steroids. When used externally, the oil helps fast healing wound

In cosmetology, borage oil is used to care for problematic and sensitive skin face: the drug increases the ability of the epidermis to retain moisture. Borage oil is included in anti-cellulite creams to eliminate stretch marks on the skin; it is also used to produce anti-aging cosmetics designed to combat premature aging, dryness and sagging skin.

In addition to oil, there are such dosage forms borage as an infusion of flowers, an infusion of herbs and a cold infusion of leaves.

The nutritional qualities of borage are most widely used in American cuisine. Residents of the New World use not only the leaves, but also the flowers of the plant for food: the leaves are added to salads, combining them with spinach, lettuce, onions and cucumbers, and the flowers are a natural flavoring for punch and soft drinks. Borage flowers are also eaten in candied form, like candied fruits, and dried flowers added to bakery products and confectionery products.

Borage - contraindications

Borage preparations are not recommended for use longer than one month, as this can lead to liver problems. Those who suffer from diseases of this organ or have an individual intolerance to borage should not eat borage.

borage – annual plant, which also has the name: borage, borage, borage, heart flower, gimlet, belongs to the borage family. The herb is an excellent honey plant, used in cooking, as well as in alternative medicine as an expectorant, anti-inflammatory and diaphoretic. In its wild form, borage is found in South America, North Africa, southern Europe, Russia, Ukraine and the Caucasus.

Chemical composition

Borage reaches a height of 50-80 cm, has hollow, thick stems, branched at the top. The lower and basal leaves are petiolate, large, oval in shape, the stem leaves are much smaller in size, oblong, sessile, covered, like the stem, with whitish hairs. The flowering period of cucumber occurs in June-August, the plant bears fruit in July-September. Blue or violet-blue borage flowers, hanging on long stalks, are collected in paniculate inflorescences; each flower can contain up to 5-12 mg of nectar. The fruit of the plant is a tuberous dark brown nut.

IN medicinal purposes in alternative medicine, the aerial part of borage is mainly used - fresh or dried leaves, flowers and seeds. The composition of the leaves of the plant is presented:

• Ascorbic acid;
• Carotene;
• Salts of potassium, magnesium, calcium;
• Mucous substances;
• Saponins;
• Organic acids – citric, malic;
• Flavonoids;
• Tannins.

Mucilage substances and essential oil were found in borage flowers, and fatty oils were found in the seeds of the plant.

Beneficial features

IN European countries young borage leaves, which taste and smell like fresh cucumbers, are eaten, added to salads, sauces, vegetable soups, okroshka, meat and fish dishes. Mature leaves can be stewed, used in marinades and pickles, the flowers of the plant are used in industry for making confectionery and cognacs.

The medicinal properties of borage have also been known since ancient times - even in the army of ancient Rome, soldiers on campaign included the plant in their diet to increase fortitude and courage, and it was also used, if necessary, as a diaphoretic and diuretic. Medieval healers called borage a cheerful herb that relieves boredom and melancholy.

Currently, herbalists and traditional healers prescribe the use of borage as an anti-inflammatory, mild laxative, expectorant and enveloping agent during feverish conditions, inflammatory processes Gastrointestinal tract, colds, constipation, dry cough.

The diuretic effect of borage is used to treat edema, damage to the kidneys, urinary tract and bladder, taking infusions of the leaves and flowers of the plant. Lotions and compresses of borage leaves have an antirheumatic and analgesic effect in the fight against joint and muscle pain, and gout.

Borage seeds boiled in grape wine are recommended in alternative medicine to enhance lactation. The calming properties of borage herb are used in homeopathy in the treatment of neurasthenia, sleep disorders, depressive states, asthenia, and heart neuroses.

Decoctions of the leaves of the plant are prescribed for external and internal use at skin rashes, eczema and other skin lesions, borage seed oil is also used for these purposes. Since borage is rich in mineral salts and helps improve metabolism, it is often included in various diets.

Indications for use

According to recipes alternative medicine The use of borage is recommended against the background of:

• Rheumatism;
• Joint pain;
• Gout;
• Colitis;
• Gastritis;
• Constipation;
• Inflammatory processes in bladder and kidneys;
• Edema;
• Fever;
• Colds;
• Neurasthenia;
• Insomnia;
• Neuroses of the heart;
• Asthenia;
• Skin lesions.

Contraindications

It is not recommended to use borage for a long time (more than one month) due to possible violations liver activity. It is advisable to use the plant as part of various medicinal fees and before using it, consult a specialist.

Homemade borage herb remedies

To prepare fresh borage juice for use in nervous exhaustion, insomnia, heart neuroses, urolithiasis, feverish conditions, it is necessary to rinse the fresh lower leaves of the plant with running water, pour over boiling water, and then grind through a meat grinder. The juice obtained after squeezing the raw material through a cloth is diluted in a 1:1 ratio with water and boiled over low heat for 2-3 minutes. Take the product 3-4 times a day after meals, 2 tbsp. spoons, it can also be used for external treatment of problem areas of the skin.

To prepare an infusion of borage, pour a glass of boiling water over 2 tbsp. spoons of leaves or 1 tbsp. a spoonful of plant flowers. After infusing the mixture for an hour, after filtering, take 1 tbsp three times a day. spoon for pain in muscles and joints, gout, rheumatism, while simultaneously applying compresses from borage leaves.

To treat hyposecretory gastritis and kidney inflammation, and normalize cardiac activity, it is recommended to consume 100 ml of plant infusion 3-4 times a day, for the preparation of which a tablespoon of flowers is poured into a glass of boiling water and infused for 6 hours.

To obtain a herbal decoction, pour 20 g of dry leaves into a glass of water, boil for 10 minutes and filter after cooling. For colitis, nervous disorders, joint pain, for colds, a tablespoon is prescribed three times a day before meals, and skin rashes can also be washed with a decoction.

If you dream of turning to grow on your plot not only ornamental plants, but also medicinal, then take note of the borage plant. The second name of this plant is borage. Young leaves of borage smell amazingly like fresh cucumber. The healing properties of cucumber were known back in the Middle Ages. Knights had a tradition of entering the battlefield only after drinking a cup of borage tea. They also decorated their armor with this plant, believing that it would bring good luck. The charming annual borage will become a real natural storehouse, which is full of useful properties.

Borago borage. Description of the plant

1. Borage is often called borage, borage, borage.
2. The borage plant belongs to the Borage family.
3. Syria is considered the birthplace of borage. The plant is widespread as a weed in the countries of North Africa, Asia Minor, Southern Europe, In South America.
4. Borago is a herbaceous annual plant that can reach 1 m in height.
5. The stem of borage is branched and straight. A peculiarity of this plant is the presence of hard “hairs” that cover almost the entire plant.
6. The root system of borage is taprooted with numerous lateral roots.
7. The leaves of borage vary slightly in shape depending on where they are located. The basal leaves have oval shape, the leaves at the top are more blunt in shape, the leaves on the stem are ovoid and more elongated. The leaves are covered with exactly the same hard “hairs” as the stem.
8. Borage flowers are painted in a beautiful blue color with pink tint. They are collected in thyroid-paniculate inflorescences at the very top of the stem. The flower itself consists of 5 sepals.
9. The fruit of borage is a ribbed brown nut. It contains about 1000 small seeds, which fall to the ground after the fruit ripens.
10. The active flowering phase of borage occurs in the summer season - from June to August.

Borago borage. Historical information

Despite the fact that today many people underestimate borage, considering it a weed, in ancient descriptions one can find many references to its beneficial properties and methods of use.

1. IN Ancient Rome borage was added special meaning. Warriors took this plant with them on campaigns in order to increase their strength of spirit and courage.
2. Ancient healers called borage herb “the joy of the heart” because of its amazing healing effects on the cardiovascular and nervous systems.
3. In France, borage was also called "heart flower" and was considered a powerful sedative.
4. Also in France, it was customary to use borage flowers to flavor wines, vinegar, and to decorate dishes.
5. Syria is considered the homeland of borage, from where the plant spread throughout Europe through the Mediterranean countries.
6. In Russia, the borage plant appeared only in the 19th century.

Borago is a borage herb. Beneficial features

Borage has many beneficial properties due to its rich composition. Among the most valuable substances are:

• saponins;
• tannins;
• fatty acid;
• mucous substances;
• essential oil;
• retinol;
• ascorbic acid;
• Apple acid;
• silicic acid;
• lemon acid;
• tannins;
• phosphorus;
• lithium;
• calcium;
• potassium.

As you can see, the chemical composition of the plant is impressive. You can grow borage on your site not only for decorative purposes, but also for medicinal use. Among the beneficial properties of borage are the following:

• fatty acids in borage can have an active anti-inflammatory effect;
• borage enriches the human body with omega-6 acids and other beneficial microelements;
• V folk medicine has long been known beneficial effect borage on gastrointestinal tract person. Mucous substances that are large quantities contained in the plant, envelop the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines;
• borage is widely used as a natural laxative and mild diuretic;
• decoctions and teas from borage are widely used as sedatives. People who suffer from sleep disorders, depression, and nervousness can count on remarkable effects from taking folk remedies based on borage;
• decoctions and infusions of borage will be useful for people who suffer from digestive disorders due to the high concentration of tannins;
• due to the high concentration of saponins in the chemical composition, borage also has an expectorant effect;
• people suffering diabetes mellitus, obese people can safely use borage oil, which is not contraindicated for them;
• the excellent anti-inflammatory effect of borage is complemented by a mild analgesic effect and the ability to relieve swelling;
• people who suffer arterial hypertension, problems with blood vessels, they can actively use traditional medicine containing borage;
• borage is often used to treat colds as an anti-inflammatory agent;
• borage is also popular in treatment various problems with skin - neurodermatitis, allergic rashes;
• borage has a powerful activating effect on metabolic processes in the body;
• Very often you can find borage in traditional medicine recipes for the treatment of gout.

Despite the fact that borage is a very valuable plant for health, it should be used with caution. Very rarely this plant can cause allergic reaction at the body. A long-term use Taking this herb internally can cause liver problems.

Use of borage in cooking

• In some countries, borage was originally grown exclusively for food use. The young plant has a pleasant and fresh aroma of cucumber, and its taste may resemble onions. Borago is used to prepare vegetable salads and cold summer soups.
• Salads with young cucumber leaves have gained the most popularity. A prerequisite must be that the leaves must be used young. Later leaves also retain the aroma and taste, but become a little tougher and covered with “hairs”.
• Cucumber roots collected in the fall are also eaten. They add an unsurpassed aroma to wines, vinegars, cheeses, sour cream, syrups, etc.
• Borage is often used as a spice. It is added to meat and fish dishes, soups.
• Wonderful “companions” in borage salad are White cabbage, celery, different kinds salad
• Fresh leaves and stems of borage can also be served as an independent side dish if you simmer them in a frying pan with a little oil.
• Housewives often use borage to prepare summer homemade lemonades, drinks that perfectly quench thirst in the heat.

Experienced housewives will find great amount recipes containing borage. Among the most popular dishes are:

• borage salad "Summer". Rinse young cucumber leaves thoroughly under running water, dry, cut or tear into pieces by hand. Serve with a dressing of olive oil, salt and black pepper. The salad will be an excellent addition to meat or fish dishes;
• cucumber salad "Spring". To prepare unusually healthy and delicious salad you will need several Jerusalem artichoke tubers, fresh carrots, borage. All components can be taken in the ratio you need. Some people like Jerusalem artichoke more, while others prefer salads with high content carrots. The ingredients need to be grated and the borage leaves cut with a knife. Mix the salad and season with a little oil, salt and pepper;
• Stewed cucumber grass. Pick a few young plants, wash them well under running water, cut or tear them into pieces by hand. The borage should first be lightly fried in a small amount of oil, and then simmered in salted water for a couple of minutes. Pass the resulting stew through a sieve and serve with cream sauce or a piece of butter;
• candied borage flowers. Their borage plants can be used to prepare an exotic dessert with which you can surprise your guests and delight your loved ones. Pour a layer of sugar into a clay dish, place borage flowers on top, and then cover with sugar again. Store in a dark place;
• “Refreshing” lemonade. To prepare tasty and healthy drink you will need borage leaves, lemon balm leaves, mint, half a lemon. Mix all ingredients in a blender, pour into several glasses cold water. Strain the lemonade through a fine sieve. To add extra sweetness to the drink, use maple syrup. Serve lemonade in tall glasses with ice.

The use of borage in cosmetology

Borago grass is widely used in cosmetology. This component can often be found in home recipes for masks, tonics, creams, etc. What a valuable substance found in borage, which is often considered a simple weed? It's all about the huge concentration of fatty acids:

• linoleic acid;
• gamma-linolenic;
• alpha-linolenic;
• oleic

Finding another such affordable source of saturated fatty acids is quite difficult. This feature of borage herb makes it a universal and main component of skin care products. Borage can have the following effects on our skin:

1. moisturizing effect. Borage will undoubtedly benefit dry and dehydrated skin;
2. smoothing effect. Products containing borage herb can even out minor unevenness on the skin, wrinkles, and make the skin color more uniform;
3. restorative effect. Borage has a healing and healing effect on the skin after cosmetic hardware procedures;
4. improvement metabolic processes in the skin. Those with oily and problem skin will immediately notice the elimination of oily shine, a reduction in pimples and blackheads;
5. lifting effect. Borage is known for its rejuvenating effect, giving the skin elasticity.

Natural borage oil can be purchased at cosmetic stores or pharmacies. Like any oil, it should be sold in a dark glass bottle. The shelf life of such a product is short - about 2 months. Borage oil can be used to prepare the following cosmetic recipes:

• healing oil for restoring very dry skin on hands. Mix chamomile, borage and pine nut oils in equal proportions, warm them slightly and rub into the skin of your hands;
• nourishing oil bath. You will need all the same ingredients as in the previous recipe. But this time the oil should not be rubbed into the skin of the hands, but immersed in his hands. Of course, the proportions of oil will need to be increased;
• rejuvenating oil compresses. To get an excellent lifting effect, mix in equal quantities borage oil, rosehip oil, jojoba oil. Also add a few drops of ylang-ylang and lavender essential oils to the resulting mixture. The resulting mixture can simply be rubbed into the skin every evening, or you can make compresses or fabric face masks.

Use of borage in agriculture

Along with its decorative function, borage also has practical benefits:

• summer residents and beekeepers will be pleased with the fact that after planting cucumber grass, the number of bees has increased. This grass is a good honey plant that attracts the “attention” of bees from afar;
• due to the fact that borage grows on your site, you will notice an increase in yield with fruit trees and bushes. Borage helps in their pollination by bees;
• Many summer residents use borage to combat the Colorado potato beetle, a well-known potato pest.

Borago is a borage herb. Photo

Borago is a borage herb. Planting and care

Choosing a place to plant borage

Borage grows in the wild near roadsides, in vegetable gardens, etc. If you want to achieve maximum decorative value from this plant and use it for food, then you should take care of choosing a place to plant it.

1. One of the most best places planting borage will become a place where potatoes, tomatoes or legumes grew.
2. Borago should not be grown in areas that are too sunny; let it be a place under the spreading crowns of trees, near buildings, fences, which will create shade. When growing borage at home, you don’t have to worry about lighting at all. This plant adapts to growth even in constant shade.
3. Borage is not picky about soil composition. But on fertile soils it achieves excellent taste and good chemical composition, for which she is so appreciated.
4. When choosing a place to plant borage, prepare for the fact that you will have to limit its growth. The plant rapidly reproduces by self-sowing the following year. To prevent borage from filling the adjacent growth space of other plants, remove the fruit with seeds before it ripens.

Borage - borage. Which variety is better

Of course, borage can often be found in the wild. But only cultivated varieties have excellent taste and aroma, as well as a rich composition. Borage, or borage, can be purchased at almost any large seed store. For self-growing cucumber grass in open ground or at home, most often choose one of the following varieties:

• Vladykinskoe Semko;
• April;
• Okroshka;
• Stream;
• Dwarf.

The most cold-resistant variety is the “Gnome” variety, and the “Vladykinskoe Semko” variety is famous for its large flowers and leaves. This is what most gardeners choose to grow on their site. Finding borage, or borage, seeds is not difficult.

Borage - borage. Growing

Even a beginner can cope with the agricultural technology of growing borage. First, we need to talk about the time of planting this plant. Borago is a cold-resistant plant. Some gardeners even plant it before winter. But the more popular time is early spring. It is in March or early April that you should start preparing for planting borage. If you sow borage again in August, you will get another harvest and beautiful flowering of this plant.

1. It would be a good idea to prepare the soil for planting borage in the fall. Superphosphate and potassium salt are added during digging.
2. In spring, it is also worth digging up the soil, loosening it well and adding ammonium nitrate.
3. Furrows are made in the soil about 3 cm deep. It is advisable to leave a gap of 8-10 cm between the seeds. If you do not do this, then you will have to remove excess bushes. The minimum distance between rows is 35-40 cm.
4. If you are afraid of frost or want to achieve earlier germination of borage, then the bed can be covered with film.
5. After approximately 7 days, the first shoots will appear.

Borago care

Caring for cucumber grass will not present any difficulties even to novice gardeners. Among the minimum actions that you will have to perform are:

• not too much, but regular watering. Although the plant is drought-resistant, you can achieve juicy and fleshy greenery only by watering it regularly;
• weed removal. If you grow borage for decorative purposes, then weeds will only spoil appearance. You need to get rid of them;
• thinning cucumber grass. The distance that needs to be left between borage bushes depends on the purpose for which you are growing it. If you grow borage to obtain lush greens, then leave a distance between plants of about 10 cm. If you grow borage for decorative purposes and to obtain seeds, then the distance should be about 45-60 cm;
• Before the flowering period begins, you can feed the borage with any organic fertilizer.

How and when to harvest borage

• About a month after the first sprouts appear, you can already harvest the first borage crop.
• The most delicious, juicy, aromatic are the very first leaves, which have already reached 5-7 cm in length.
• If you delay harvesting, the leaves will become tougher, covered with a dense layer of “edge”, and will not be as fragrant.
• Harvesting borage is similar to harvesting spinach.
• If the collected borage leaves are placed in wooden boxes, then they taste qualities can be stored for several days. Such boxes should be stored in a cool place.
• Borago seeds are collected when the fruits have turned brown. They are laid out on cloth or paper, where they ripen and dry. Then these fruits will need to be threshed.

Why is borage grown in a greenhouse?

Very often, experienced gardeners plant borage in greenhouses. Why are they doing that? The thing is that borage is an excellent honey plant that attracts bees. The grass is planted in a greenhouse with cucumbers and tomatoes for better pollination. Borage is sown in a greenhouse quite chaotically. The plant also has the ability to crowd out weeds, which is also very useful.

Borago is a borage herb. Growing at home

If you dream of a mini-garden on the windowsill, then the borage plant will be an excellent helper in enriching your diet with aromatic herbs all year round. Follow the following recommendations when growing borage in an apartment:

• The undoubted advantage of growing borage at home is that the plant is not at all capricious in terms of lighting and temperature. It can be grown either in a bright window or in a shady one. But keep in mind that by straight lines sun rays leaves quickly become hard;
• select suitable containers for sowing seeds. These can be long containers, boxes or flower pots;
• An excellent filling for containers would be ready-made soil for growing roses, which you can buy in the store. If you prepare a nutritious soil mixture yourself, then mix turf soil and humus. It's also worth adding a little sand;
• to plant seeds on the surface of the ground, make furrows at a distance of about 5 cm from each other;
• There is no need to bury borage seeds. The depth of the furrow is 1.5-2 cm.

The first shoots will delight you in 5-7 days. The plant responds positively to regular feeding.

Borage is one of the most unpretentious plants on the site, but many people don’t even know about its beneficial properties, mistaking borage for a weed. Once I tried summer vegetable salad from the succulent leaves of this plant, you will not be able to deny yourself the pleasure of growing borage on your site.

Borage or borage is well known as a garden crop. It is also often used to decorate the landscape of gardens and personal plots.

Its medicinal properties and other qualities were highly valued in ancient times. In Europe it was called “joy for the heart.” Ancient Roman warriors took it with them on campaigns. It was believed that it gives courage before battle, lifts spirits, and gives joy. They eat borage raw because its leaves smell very appetizing.

Borage (borage) is an annual plant that has a branched stem 35 to 60 cm high. The upper leaves are dense, oblong, and the upper ones are petiolate, rounded and oblong.

The Latin name of the borage herb Borago offlcinalls L. probably comes from the Arabic abu arag - “father of sweat”, because the herb is used as a diaphoretic or from burra - “hairy clothing”, because has hard pubescence.

The plant blooms all summer, starting in June with small white or bright blue flowers, from which, after flowering, fruits appear that look like dark brown nuts.

Currently, borage is used in medicine and in cooking. Its leaves contain essential oils, the smell of which resembles the smell of young fresh cucumber. Therefore, they are added fresh to salads, vinaigrettes, soups, okroshkas, and used as a seasoning for meat, fish, and also mushroom dishes.

The flowers and leaves of borage, and the whole plant as a whole, have a variety of healing qualities. The herb has diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, emollient, laxative and enveloping properties.

Medicines based on the plant are used for edema to treat kidneys and rheumatism.

Borage leaves effectively restore and improve metabolism.

The beneficial properties of borage are used for cooking medicines.

Infusion

This excellent application cucumber herb in folk medicine. Prepare an infusion of borage flowers. Pour boiling water over the dried flowers in a ratio of 1:10, and then leave them in a tightly sealed container for half an hour.

Take a quarter glass of warm infusion 5 times a day as sedative for diseases of neurasthenia, rheumatic and heart pain, fever, inflammation of the kidneys, skin rashes and at various inflammations respiratory tract, stomach and intestines.

* Pour a glass of boiling water over a tablespoon of dried flowers or 2 tablespoons of dry crushed leaves, close tightly, and leave for an hour. Then strain and drink a tablespoon before meals to remove muscle pain, for rheumatism, gout. You can add a little honey to the infusion for taste.

* Recovery mineral metabolism substances, prepare the following infusion: Pour boiling water over the dried flowers in a ratio of 1:40. Cover tightly with a lid and leave for an hour. Strain and drink a quarter glass each time after meals.

* Pour a glass of boiling water over a tablespoon of flowers, wrap in a towel and leave for 2 hours. Strain, add a little honey and drink a tablespoon between meals, at least 6 times a day. The infusion exhibits all the healing properties of cucumber herb
and will help with heart neuroses, muscular rheumatism, gout. The course of treatment is a month.

* Pour a tablespoon of dried flowers into a glass of boiling water, cover tightly, and leave for 6 hours. Strain and drink half a glass before meals to treat gastritis with low stomach acidity, relieve kidney inflammation and restore cardiac activity.

* To increase lactation in nursing women, collect borage seeds. Grind a quarter glass of seeds thoroughly and pour half a liter of natural grape wine. Close the bottle tightly and store in a cool, dark place for a week.

Then strain and take a tablespoon 2 times a day, after feeding the baby.

Freshly squeezed cucumber juice has effective medicinal properties in the treatment of neurasthenia and neuroses. Drink it a tablespoon after meals.

Borage flowers are used in the liquor and confectionery industries as a natural coloring and flavoring agent. Due to their aromatic smell, tart taste, and the presence of vitamins, flowers, leaves and shoots are brewed as tea.

Flowers produce a lot of pollen and nectar, which is why bees love them. Any gardener can grow cucumber grass. To do this, it is sown near apiaries, as well as near gardens, vegetable gardens or melon fields to attract pollinating insects. As a result, plants are better pollinated.

As you can see, the benefits of borage are obvious, and therefore it is widely used for treatment various ailments, just as a quality vitamin remedy and to increase the productivity of other plants in the country.

Now is the time for this wonderful plant to bloom. Collect its flowers and leaves, chop and dry them in the shade, covering with gauze. Since only the flowers will retain the inherent aroma of the grass during drying, collect more of them. After drying, transfer the borage to winter in linen bags and glass jars.

01.12.2017

Today you will learn everything about this amazing borage plant: what it is, why it is valued and how it is used in cooking, and also that it has not only beneficial features, but also some contraindications for use. Borage, also known as borage, grows both in the wild and is cultivated and widely used for its medicinal properties and a pleasant aroma.

What is borage?

Borago is a fast-growing annual plant with edible, colorful blue flowers and leaves with the aroma of cucumbers. It is considered a weed, but is often grown in gardens as a flower and green vegetable or spicy herbs.

The leaves are used for food while they are young, because when mature they are covered with prickly down.

What does borage look like - photo

general description

Borago is an annual plant with bristly hairs all over its surface. It reaches a height of 75-90 cm and grows in abundance in all the wild highlands of Eastern Europe and Asia Minor.

Botanically, borage belongs to the borage family (Boraginaceae), genus Borago and is scientifically called: Borago officinalis.

The herb is also known as star flower as it has five-petalled, bluish, beautiful star-shaped flowers. There is a variety of borage that has white flowers. The fruit is an oblong black nut.

Some of the other common names include: borage, borage, borage.

Borago has oval, dark green leaves. They are collected as early as possible, immediately after the flower buds appear, but before the flowers bloom. Young, tender leaves are added to salads, while older leaves can be used as a herb.

As the plant gets older, its leaves become hard, large and bitter in taste.

Smell and taste

U fresh plant Borago slightly salty taste of cucumber with notes of sweet onion and cucumber smell.

How to choose borage

Look only for fresh borage leaves with thick stems and subtle smell cucumber, which can be felt from a short distance. Avoid wilted, yellow or dried greens as they have lost their flavor and aroma.

How to store borage

Borago can only stay fresh for a few hours and quickly loses its flavor.

Unlike other herbs such as oregano, which has dried leaves added to dishes; borage leaves are not dried, as they become tasteless.

Chemical composition

Borago contains many important phytonutrients, minerals and vitamins that are essential for optimal health and wellness.

Nutritional value of fresh borago leaves (Borago officinalis) per 100 g.

Physiological role

Fresh borage has the following effects on the body:

• diaphoretic;
• diuretic;
• soothing;
• emollient;
• anti-inflammatory.

Useful properties of borage

Borago contains the essential gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), usually in concentrations of 17-20%. Linolenic acid represents fatty acid Omega-6, which plays a vital role in restoring health, immunity, healthy skin and joints. Recommended for the treatment of arthritis, dermatitis, premenstrual pain conditions.

Fresh borage herb has high levels of vitamin C ( ascorbic acid). This is one of the powerful natural antioxidants, which helps remove harmful free radicals from the body.

This aromatic herb is one of the richest sources of vitamin A (140% of daily norm) and carotene. Both of these compounds are strong flavonoid antioxidants. Together they work against free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS), which contribute to the aging process and various disease processes.

Vitamin A also has beneficial antioxidant properties. It is necessary for good vision and maintaining healthy mucous membranes and skin. It is known that consumption natural products, rich in vitamins A and carotenes, helps the human body protect against lung and oral cancer.

Borage contains large amounts of minerals such as iron, calcium, potassium, manganese, copper, zinc and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cellular fluids that helps control heartbeat And blood pressure. In the body, manganese is used as a cofactor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Iron is an important cofactor for cytochrome oxidase, which is a key enzyme in cellular metabolism. As a component of hemoglobin in red blood cells, iron determines the oxygen capacity of the blood.

Borage also contains B vitamins, and is especially rich in niacin (vitamin B-3). Niacin helps reduce the level of "bad" LDL cholesterol in organism. Moreover, in this spicy herb Riboflavin, thiamine, pyridoxine and folate are present. These vitamins act as co-factors in the enzymatic metabolism of the body.

Borage is very beneficial for women because it contains high levels of calcium and iron, elements that many women are deficient in.

A decoction of leaves and seeds is used in folk medicines to increase secretion breast milk in nursing mothers.

Borago is available as food supplement(both in capsules and in the form of extract or oil). The maximum dosage is usually one to two grams per day.

Contraindications (harm) of borage

Although side effects and harm to borage has not been identified; its leaves, flowers and seeds contain a small amount of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which may be hepatotoxic (liver damaging), especially at high doses over long periods time.

Borago also contains compounds that, in large quantities, can affect kidney function (a diuretic effect is possible).

Use of borage in cooking

As you remember, borage tastes and smells like cucumber, so it can be used as a substitute for the taste of this vegetable.
Borago can be used in large quantities, like other green vegetables.

How to prepare:

1. Wash fresh herbs in cold running water or place them in water for a few minutes to remove any dirt or pesticide residue.
2. Trim off tough parts of leaves and stem and discard.
3. Finely chop the greens so that you don't feel any lint.

Here are some tips on where to put borage:

• Young tender leaves of borage add a delicate cucumber aroma to salads and okroshka. They are placed not only in the absence of cucumbers, but also with them.
• The mature but still tender leaves can be used as a green vegetable in the same way as spinach. They go well with other greens, beans, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, etc.
• Young leaves are used to make fresh juice with lemon added.
• Greens are used to flavor sauces and drinks (yogurt, mineral water and wine).
• The leaves are used when pickling cucumbers and other vegetables.
• Borago flowers are mixed into pancake batter and fried in oil.
• Fresh herbs can also be added to sausages, pizza and stuffed poultry.
• Borage tea is a popular refreshing drink in European countries.
• Borago flowers are used as edible decorations various dishes. They can also be candied: mix with lightly beaten egg white and granulated sugar, spread in a thin layer and dry.

Borage goes well with many fresh herbs: thyme, mint, parsley, garlic and fennel.

There are many health benefits that can be obtained from borage, but there are also contraindications. The main thing is to know how to use it and what dosage to take for safe and effective use.