Borage... Herb of Gladness.. Borago officinalis ...Star Flower

'Borage ego gaudia semper ago....I borage, bring always courage.' Anon

Borage is the corruption of the Latin 'corago' from 'cor', the heart, and 'ago', I bring. It could also be derived from the Celtic word 'barrach' meaning "a man of courage".

It has a reputation for bringing courage and optimism, relieving the heavy-hearted, easing the broken-hearted and brightening the dis-heartened.

The young leaves are high in potassium, calcium and Vitamin C, and they can be chopped up in a salad to help strengthen the nervous system. They smell and taste like fresh cucumbers.

It attracts honey bees to your garden, and is a good companion plant to tomatoes and strawberries.

Just looking at this gorgeous blue 'starflower' lifts my spirits.