FFF132 - BORAGE

Borage (Borago officinalis), also known as a starflower, is an annual herb. It is native to the Mediterranean region and has naturalised in many other locales. It grows satisfactorily in gardens in the UK climate, remaining in the garden from year to year by self-seeding. The leaves are edible and have a cucumber-like flavour. The plant is grown in kitchen-gardens for that purpose in some parts of Europe. The plant is also commercially cultivated for borage seed oil extracted from its seeds.

Borage is used in companion planting. It is said to protect or nurse legumes, spinach, brassicas, and even strawberries. It is also said to be a good companion plant to tomatoes because it confuses the search image of the mother moths of tomato hornworms or manduca looking for a place to lay their eggs.

Traditionally Borago officinalis is used in various disorders, such as gastrointestinal (colic, cramps, diarrhoea), airways (asthma, bronchitis), cardiovascular, (cardiotonic, antihypertensive and blood purifier), urinary (diuretic and kidney/bladder disorders). In Iran people make a tea for relieve colds, flu, bronchitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and kidney inflammation. It is said to be warm in nature and alleviates symptoms that are caused by using food that is cold in nature such as cucumber and fish. People with heart problems can benefit using the borage tea, since it promotes reaching more oxygen to the heart, that’s why one should use this herb in moderate amounts.

Join me for Floral Friday Fotos by linking your flower photos below, and please leave a comment once you have done so!

FFF132

1.	Nick, Melbourne	13.	Sara Chapman in Seattle USA	25.	Mama Zen	37.	ann violets
2.	NixMixPix	14.	Ranu	26.	To a phenomenal woman	38.	Synnöve
3.	My Desktop	15.	Kebo, Italy	27.	Ready to Waltz	39.	Reach Beyond Limits
4.	Andrea, Philippines	16.	rosa wunderland	28.	Orange	40.	Alexa T
5.	Maboe	17.	BirgittaB	29.	Dawn	41.	Ingmarie We/Refugium
6.	Tom The Backroads Traveller	18.	Ulla Laiho	30.	Mary, MI	42.	Frauke * Germany
7.	Gunilla	19.	LeMaPi's Blog	31.	The Rosegarden in Malevik	43.	Pretty in Pink
8.	Aletta - Nowathome	20.	Mascha	32.	Ela	44.	Hibiscus
9.	Randi, Sweden	21.	Zauberpalme	33.	Scene by Minerva	45.	Ileana
10.	Jesh StG	22.	Tina	34.	WoollyMuses	46.	Feeling Festive
11.	bettyl - New Zealand	23.	Vilt og vakkert	35.	A Student Gardener
12.	ann nz	24.	Eva	36.	HoodPhoto OR-USA

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