A beautiful addition of any garden, borage has tall furry stalks topped with small, purple, star-shaped flowers that can be added to salads or used as an edible decoration for cakes and deserts. Be aware, however, that once introduced to the garden, borage can be spread quite rampantly and provides an irresistible draw for honeybees. The leaves of the borage plant can be used in salads or cooked like any other leafy green. The stalks can be peeled and used as one would a cucumber.
High in gamma-linolenic acid, or GLA, an essential fatty acid, borage seed oil is a healthy addition to the diet and can often be found in conjunction with flax and primrose oils. Borage seed oil is said to ease menstrual problems, skin breakouts, and irritable bowel syndrome. Borage is regarded as an uplifting plant, good for the mood and emotions, and can be taken as a tincture or, should fresh leaves be available, as a tea. The leaves can also be used as a poultice to soothe a variety of skin irritations.
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