I want to write a little about the plants I find on my hikes in the Serra de Collserola in Barcelona. One of the first plants that really caught my eye was the borage. The stems and flowers look like a martian version of tomato plants. The first portion of this will just be some details about the plant and then I want to look into the mythology behind – if there is any. Since this plan is described as having a cucumber-y flavour, I also wanted to investigate some recipes which are also below, along with links to the original sources.
Common name: Borage
Family: Boraginaceae
Plant Type: Annual
Physicality
They are half hardy, enjoy full sun, and can thrive in myriad soil types. It is native to the Mediterranean region. Pliny the Elder referenced borage in the first century and its medicinal uses in the first century. The flowers are blue and sometimes white. The leaves, which are edible (as well as the flowers), are dark green and can be around 3 inches long. Apparently, they have a cucumber-like taste. It bears a nutlet fruit, in groups of four. Interestingly, Borage self-seeds and new plants will come up in the same spot the following year. The plant flowers between June and October.
The flowers are especially tasty for bees who are very attracted to the color, along with other pollinators.
It is believed that the name comes from Latin, borago, although some believe it stems from Celtic. More etymology below:
“In all the countries bordering the Mediterranean, where it is plentiful, it is spelt with a double ‘r’, so the word may be derived from the Italian borra, French bourra, signifying hair or wool, words which in their turn are derived from the Low Latin burra, a flock of wool, in reference to the thick covering of short hairs which clothes the whole plant”
Grieve, 1931
In addition to being loved by bees and other pollinators, borage is also helpful in restoring soil that has been exposed to too much sodium. It can be used in between plants and harvests to absorb saline and thus providing healthier soil for other crops. This process is known as bioremediation, which is also really fascinating in an age where soil erosion, industrial pollutants, and monocultures have had devastating impacts on the health of soil everywhere,
Mythology
Borage was associated with courage from the Celts, the Greeks, to the Romans and was even important enough to early American settlers as there was found borage seeds in a 17th century seed order from America.
Medicinal
Historically, borage was used to promote courage among Greek and Roman soldiers. The leaves and sometimes the flowers can be used for medical purposes including as a diuretic, pulmonary issues, and fevers. The process to prepare the medicine is whimsically described as “an infusion made of 1oz of leaves to 1 pint of boiling water, taken in wineglassful dosis” (Grieve, 1931). It can also be used externally as a poultice.
Modern research shows that borage can have an antidepressant effect on people, and has other properties that have been found to work actively against cancers (British study from 2000). Apparently there is a lot of interest in borage and it’s medicinal uses even today.
Edibility
The leaves can be eaten raw in salads or on sandwiches and they have a fresh, herby cucumber flavour. The leaves can be steeped in cold water or can be pickled, as the brand Kühne already does in their “Russian” style gherkins. Additionally, the flowers can be candied which can also have medicinal properties.
Below is the recipe for a Claret Cup (apparently a precursor to the Pimm’s Cup) and for a non-alcoholic drink made with borage as well.
Here is a recipe for borage tartlets, which I think is so inventive and cute. I am a much bigger fan of baking than cooking, so I was excited to find this recipe. I would love to be able to bake with foraged items plus I love the idea of a cucumber-y flavour with a sweet, cheesy tart. It can be found here.
The last recipe I was interested in that uses borage leaves (and 6 other green herby plants) is a famous green sauce from Frankfurt. Found here. The blogger also offers different substitutes in case you cannot find some of these ingredients.
Sources:
- https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/borago-officinalis/
- A Modern Herbal Vol. 1 by Maude Grieve, 1931
- All of the recipes come from blogs, links are throughout
- https://www.jekkas.com/blogs/jekkas-blog/the-myth-magic-and-folklore-of-herbs
- https://storiesfromthemuseumfloor.wordpress.com/2017/08/25/borage-a-star-of-nature/
Disclaimer: obviously this not a medical, health, or wellness blog, the information above has been sourced from other blogs and interesting books so if you are looking for hard data and facts please go elsewhere.
Vinca Minor 