Borage
Borago officinalis L.
Also known as Bee Bread, Common bugloss, and Starflower
History: Borage is a bright blue flowered plant native to Europe. In the Middle Ages, Borage was used to cure melancholy. However, Borage’s use as a medicinal herb faded in the 1600’s and was used, instead, is gained popularity as food flavoring and garnish. Both Pliny the Elder and Dioscorides claimed that borage was used to "exhilarate the mind", comfort the heart, drive sorrow away, and increase one's general happiness. Diuretic, demulcent, emollient. Borage is much used in France for fevers and pulmonary complaints. By virtue of its saline constituents, it promotes the activity of the kidneys and for this reason is employed to carry off feverish catarrhs. Its demulcent qualities are due to the mucilage contained in the whole plant.