borage is a wild herb that is also grown as a vegetable , still edible and very good indeed. It is part of the culinary tradition of certain regions of Italy, such as Liguria, where it is used to fill ravioli.
It is an interesting presence for the organic garden, both because it is consumed and because of its beautiful blue flowers, as well as to brighten up the gardens. attract bees and other beneficial insects for agriculture . Indeed, borage flowers are rich in nectar and for this reason they are very popular with bumblebees, bees and wasps.
Like many parasites, it is very easy to grow and after getting it into the ground, it spreads easily, spreading its seeds and reappearing in various places in the garden. It can be a great idea to let people push boundaries.
borage is also called officinal plant for its beneficial properties, although care must be taken not to abuse it, since in large quantities it can cause liver problems.
Contents [Ocultar]
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borage
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sow borage
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borage cultivation
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Pick leaves and flowers
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Use of borage
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Properties of borage
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Contraindications of borage
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Contents
borage
Its scientific name is borago officinalis the borage bush reaches a height of half a meter and the leaves are covered with white hairs which make it easily recognizable even when it has just been pruned.
Flowers they have five petals arranged in a star, they are blue or, more rarely, white, the roots of this plant have taproots and grow deep in the earth.
borage seed
Climate and relief. Being a weed, it is not very demanding in terms of care, soil and climate and can easily adapt. He likes slightly moist soil, in the garden it is better to plant it in sunny flower beds.
When to sow In Italy it is grown as an annual plant, sow in spring . We suggest planting it directly in the garden, as it does not like grafting or in any case letting the plant grow too much in the seedbed. Its primary root undergoes the constriction of the pots.
Although it is a species that can be found in many areas since you can also buy volunteer borage seeds, I recommend choosing organic seeds and not hybrids (like the ones the found here).
Planting distances. Plants are kept at at least 20cm distant from each other, it is useful to space the rows of 40/50 cm to allow passage.
borage cultivation
Borage is a wild herb, in the wild it has no problem spreading independently. As a result, it does not require much care and is very easy to manage in the garden .
There are no particular pests or diseases to watch out for and the positive outcome of organic farming is almost guaranteed.
If we have done direct sowing, as recommended, in the first weeks it will be useful to weed the weeds, with the transplant the work is much less because the plant is already formed. It’s a culture that started once competes well with other spontaneous plants and reaches a good size that allows it to rise and have all the light.
It may be useful to ualche irrigation to prevent the soil from drying out completely, especially in summer, which we can reduce if we use mulch to cover the soil.
At the first frosts, the plant dies and the seeds are saved for the following year. Often reseeds itself but be careful that it does not overdo it, spreading even outside its spaces and invading the garden.
Flower and leaf collection
You can harvest the borage leaves at the time of use, if you harvest in moderation without stripping the plant too much, the borage will be able to produce flowers and then seeds, so you can continue to cultivate it in the following years.
it is better to continue take the basal leaves . To prolong leaf production, it is best to remove the flowers without setting them to seed. Borage grows spontaneously, so learning to recognize it can also be picked from meadows or by the side of the road.
Use of borage
Borage leaves are eaten cooked , you just have to boil them and season them to bring them to the table as vegetables. You can also cut them into tortillas or put them in soups. They are traditionally filled with Ligurian ravioli, combined with ricotta.
The flowers can be eaten raw in salads, with their deep blue color, they are also spectacular and decorative on the plate. To be good they must be used fresh, they have a flavor reminiscent of cucumber.
You can also dry the flowers and leaves you need a dark, airy place and dry borage is stored in airtight jars.
bag properties
As its botanical name l reminds us, borage is a medicinal plant with several positive properties, which makes it useful for consumption. It contains the famous Omega 6, useful for skin cells, it also has calcium and potassium. In natural medicine, it is attributed with anti-inflammatory, antitussive and antidepressant properties. Borage is also a diuretic and purifying herb. The essential oil obtained from borage seeds is a natural supplement referenced by the Ministry of Health.
Contraindications to erasure
borage contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids , plant substances that can be harmful to the liver and also carcinogenic. For toxicity, consumption must be constant and homogeneous over time, which is why borage is considered for all intents and purposes an edible plant and Ligurian borage ravioli can be found on the market.
As a precaution, it is good to remember that we must not exaggerate in an immoderate and constant consumption of borage, in particular its raw leaves, and that we must avoid consuming this plant during pregnancy or for people with health problems. liver.