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{{SPlantbox
|genus=Borage
|Temp Metric=°F
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{{Inc|
Borage (Borago officinalis, Linn.). Fig. 592. Boraginaceae. A coarse annual plant grown for culinary use in some parts of Eu., as in Germany. Used as a potherb and sometimes with salads. Only the young lvs. are palatable. Mostly known in this country as a bee-plant and for its handsome blue or purplish racemed fls. It is a hairy plant, 1½-2 ft. high, with oval or oblong Lvs. Eu., N. Afr. Eng. Bot. 1 :36. Borago laxiflora DC., is a small, decumbent alpine, but of easy cult., offered in the trade. It has alternate, ovate lvs., hairy throughout, and pretty, long-peduncled, purple or violet fls. Corsica. B.M. 1798.— Little known in Amer.
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{{Taxobox
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'''Borage''' ''(Borago officinalis or Echium amoenum)'', also known as "starflower", (گل گاو زبان in Persian) is an annual [[herb]] originating in Syria, but naturalized throughout the Mediterranean region, as well as most of [[Europe]], North Africa, and Iran. It grows to a height of 60-100 cm (2-3 feet), and is bristly-hairy all over the stems and [[leaf|leaves]]; the leaves are alternate, simple, and 5-15 cm (2-6 in) long. The [[flower]]s are small, blue or pink, with five narrow, triangular-pointed petals. It produces plenty of seeds and thus continues to grow and spread prolifically from where it is first sown or planted. In milder climates, borage will bloom continuously for most of the year.
'''Borage''' ''(Borago officinalis or Echium amoenum)'', also known as "starflower", (گل گاو زبان in Persian) is an annual [[herb]] originating in Syria, but naturalized throughout the Mediterranean region, as well as most of [[Europe]], North Africa, and Iran. It grows to a height of 60-100 cm (2-3 feet), and is bristly-hairy all over the stems and [[leaf|leaves]]; the leaves are alternate, simple, and 5-15 cm (2-6 in) long. The [[flower]]s are small, blue or pink, with five narrow, triangular-pointed petals. It produces plenty of seeds and thus continues to grow and spread prolifically from where it is first sown or planted. In milder climates, borage will bloom continuously for most of the year.
[[Image:Borage.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Borage plant]]
[[Image:Borage.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Borage plant]]
The flower, which contains the non-toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid [[thesinine]], has a sweet honey-like taste and is often used to decorate [[dessert]]s and dishes. If frozen into ice-cubes, the flowers become exotic drink coolers.
The flower, which contains the non-toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid [[thesinine]], has a sweet honey-like taste and is often used to decorate [[dessert]]s and dishes. If frozen into ice-cubes, the flowers become exotic drink coolers.
The oil that is extracted from the seeds (marketed as "starflower oil" or "borage oil") is a good source of [[gamma-linolenic acid]].
The oil that is extracted from the seeds (marketed as "starflower oil" or "borage oil") is a good source of [[gamma-linolenic acid]].
Borage is also rich in [[oleic acid|oleic]] and [[palmitic acid|palmitic]] acid, conferring a hypocholesterolemic effect. This oil, which has recently been commercialised, may regulate metabolism and the hormonal system, and is considered by many naturopathic practitioners to be a good remedy for [[PMS]] and [[menopause]] symptoms such as the [[hot flash]]. Borage is also sometimes indicated to alleviate and heal colds, bronchitis, and respiratory infections in general for its [[anti-inflammatory]] and balsamic properties. The flowers can be prepared in infusion to take advantage of its medicinal properties.
Borage is also rich in [[oleic acid|oleic]] and [[palmitic acid|palmitic]] acid, conferring a hypocholesterolemic effect. This oil, which has recently been commercialised, may regulate metabolism and the hormonal system, and is considered by many naturopathic practitioners to be a good remedy for [[PMS]] and [[menopause]] symptoms such as the [[hot flash]]. Borage is also sometimes indicated to alleviate and heal colds, bronchitis, and respiratory infections in general for its [[anti-inflammatory]] and balsamic properties. The flowers can be prepared in infusion to take advantage of its medicinal properties.