Bees And Borage

Did you know that borage refills it's nectar every ninety seconds? It's the perfect herb to plant for bees, as bees are energy efficient and can forage in a concentrated area.

 It is a culinary herb with a blue flower and a prickly stalk.

A poultice of leaves will relieve insect bites and stings, reduce swelling and bruising, and is also helpful for clearing up boils and rashes. Simply chop up leaves and stems, and cover the area to be treated with gauze.

It's a good companion plant to strawberries and tomatoes. It has excellent anti-inflammatory properties.

Check out that tiny but powerful stinger.

Borage flowers taste like cucumber, making them a beautiful and delicious addition to salads and desserts.

The leaves can be used to make a tonic for stress relief. When the stalks are cut, it oozes a viscous liquid that helps a dry cough, bronchitis, chest colds, and throat irritation.

This perennial herb not only feeds our bees (which pollinate our gardens), it's also used to make a tea from both the leaves and flowers.  The tea will promote sweating in a feverish person and may be used to cure a hangover. So I'm told...