Anyone grow borage? How do you use it?

[japple]

A distant friend recommended it, saying that she had been eating a lot of it. I've got a good healthy start on my plants even in this drought we're having in Georgia, and am wondering what to do with it. Are the leaves eaten like other greens?

[Gormy Cuss]

1. Borage flowers are good in salad.

I've never eaten the leaves but they are considered edible. IIRC borage leaves are mildly toxic in quantity so it's best to use just a bit in each meal. The flowers and leaves are also good for drying.

The flowers are also a nice garnish on ice cream. I've seen them candied but I never tried it myself.

[moonlady0623]

2. Flowers in salads

From an old herbal: borage maketh men merry

Good reason to put a lot of it in the salads

I planted it once about 15 years ago....it's been planting itself ever since.

[Skidmore]

3. My ex-mother-in-law used to steep the leaves in a tea

she drank when she had migraines.

[yardwork]

5. I love borage but haven't been able to find seeds.

Can anyone recommend a good source for borage seeds?

They're wonderful in salads and iced drinks. They smell and taste like cucumber.

[japple]

6. I think mine came from Renee's Garden

http://www.reneesgarden.com/seeds/packpg/herbs/borage-p.htm

which is a good place for seeds of all kinds. By the way, I've been mixing the borage with other greens--cabbage and mustard in the proportion of 1/3 borage to 2/3 other greens. This recommendation came from something I read in a book on herbs and gardening. Do you use the flowers or the leaves in iced drinks? The leaves are quite prickly and I have to wear gloves to harvest them. After they're cooked, though, you would never know how leathery and prickly the leaves are.

[badgerpup]

7. This is a very good company...

Select Seeds
http://www.selectseeds.com/cgi-bin/start.cgi/2007/catalog.htm
Heirloom, rare, and NON-genetically modified seeds. Neat stuff.

I borage, give courage.

[uppityperson]

4. I don't eat them but grow them because they are pretty.