Starflower

In Europe, it is planted in gardens for its leaves as they are edible and grown commercially for borage seed oil extracted from its seeds.

It flowers are five narrow pointed petals that are blue in colour and can be found from June to September.

It has been used in traditional medicine for gastrointestinal, respiratory and cardiovascular disorders; in particular to treat diarrhea, asthma, bronchitis, kidney and bladder disorders. Iranians make a tea to relieve colds, flu, rheumatoid arthritis and kidney inflammation. Long term usage is to be avoided as it can damage the liver.

The flowers are used to make a blue dye that turn pink when mixed with acid.