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Borage is an annual hollow stemmed plant with bristly hairs on its surface. It reaches about 75-90 cm in height and grows in plentiful all over the wild highlands of Eastern Europe and Asia Minor regions.

Health benefits of borage:

Borage is one of very favorite low-calorie culinary herb, found its usage especially in the Mediterranean countries. 100 g of fresh leaves carry just 21 calories. The herb contains many important phytonutrients, minerals, and vitamins that are essential for optimum health and wellness.

The herb contains essential fatty acid γ -linolenic acid (GLA), typically in concentrations of 17-20%. Linolenic acid is omega-6 fatty acid that plays a vital role in the restoration of joint health, immunity, and healthy skin and mucosa.

Fresh borage herb has high levels of vitamin C (ascorbic acid); provide 35 mg or 60% of RDA per 100 g. Vitamin C is one of the powerful natural anti-oxidant help remove harmful free radicals from the body. Together with other anti-oxidants, it has an immune booster, wound healing and anti-viral effects.

Starflower herb is one of the rich sources of vitamin A (140% of RDA) and carotenes. Both these compounds are powerful flavonoid anti-oxidants. Together, they act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a vital role in aging and various disease processes.

Vitamin-A is also known to have antioxidant properties and is essential for vision. It also required for maintaining healthy mucosa and skin. Consumption of natural foods rich in vitamin-A and carotenes are known to help the human body protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

The herb holds a good amount of minerals like iron (41% of RDA), calcium, potassium, manganese, copper, zinc, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids, which helps control heart rate and blood pressure. The body uses manganese as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Iron is an essential co-factor for cytochrome oxidase which is a crucial enzyme in the cellular metabolism. Further, being a component of hemoglobin inside the red blood cells, iron determines the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.

Further, the herb is one of the moderate sources of B-complex vitamins, particularly rich in niacin (vitamin B-3). Niacin helps lower LDL cholesterol levels in the body. Also, it has riboflavin, thiamin, pyridoxine, and folates in average levels. These vitamins function as co-factors in the enzymatic metabolism inside the body.

GROWING INFORMATION

DAYS TO GERMINATION:7-14 days.

SOWING:Direct seed (recommended): Sow seeds as soon as the soil has warmed in the spring. Plant 1/4- 1/2" deep, 3 seeds per foot in rows that are 24" apart. Thin to 12" spacing for individual plants. Transplant: Starting borage for transplanting is possible, but not recommended, as it develops a taproot and is somewhat difficult to transplant.

LIGHT PREFERENCE:Sun.

SOIL REQUIREMENTS:Grows well in average soil and will perform well even in poor soils.

PLANT HEIGHT:18-30".

PLANT SPACING:12".

HARDINESS ZONES:Annual.

HARVEST:Harvest borage as it begins to flower. Dry flowers quickly under moderate heat with good air circulation

Will be shipped from Flower Shop Inc. florist and greenhouse situated in Long Island, New York. In business for 20years and counting.