08/06/2025
🌿 Borage
Common names: Starflower, Bee Bush, Tailwort
Botanical family: Boraginaceae
Native to: Mediterranean region, but widely cultivated in Europe, North America, and temperate climates
Growth habit: Annual herb, grows 60–100 cm (2–3 ft) tall with bright blue, star-shaped flowers and fuzzy leaves
🌿 Borage (Starflower) – Spiritual Properties and Uses
Borage, also known as Starflower, is more than just a pretty plant or culinary herb — it holds a deep well of spiritual symbolism and energetic power. Historically revered for its uplifting qualities, borage has been used across cultures to enhance courage, joy, protection, and emotional resilience.
🛡️ 1. Enhancing Courage and Strength
Borage has long been associated with bravery. In medieval times, knights would embroider borage into their scarves or drink borage-infused wine before battle to bolster their courage. This tradition reflects borage’s reputation as a heartening ally during challenging times — perfect for moments of fear, doubt, or difficult decision-making.
"Ego borago gaudium," said the ancients — "I, borage, bring courage."
🌞 2. Promoting Joy and Emotional Upliftment
Borage’s energy is bright and joyful, making it ideal for lifting the spirit and dispelling melancholy or emotional heaviness. Used in spiritual spaces, it brings lightness, hope, and clarity, especially for those in emotional distress or burnout.
Add dried borage to spell jars, room sachets, or tea blends for emotional healing.
Burn borage incense during difficult periods to invoke calm and optimism.
🔮 3. Psychic Abilities and Protection
Borage is believed to enhance intuition and spiritual sensitivity, making it a powerful herb for those doing divination, tarot, dream work, or channeling. Its protective properties also shield against negative energies, spiritual interference, or emotional vampirism.
Place a dried borage flower on your altar during meditation or oracle reading.
Carry it in a charm bag or wear a pendant containing the essence for energetic protection.
🔥 4. Magical and Ritual Uses
In spellwork, borage lends its energy to courage, communication, joy, and spiritual empowerment. Use it in:
Ritual baths for cleansing doubt and fear
Oils or anointing blends for rituals of empowerment or truth-telling
Smudge blends or incense for clearing the energy of a space and inviting peace
🔵 5. Chakra Work – Throat Chakra
Borage resonates strongly with the Throat Chakra (Vishuddha), which governs communication, authenticity, and truth. It supports those who struggle to speak their truth, express needs, or set healthy boundaries.
Meditate with borage oil or flower essence on your throat area.
Use it in affirmation rituals to strengthen your voice and personal truth.
❤️ 6. Emotional Healing and Empowerment
Emotionally, borage is a powerful ally for:
Overcoming feelings of obligation
Releasing guilt or people-pleasing tendencies
Building inner strength and assertiveness
It’s a supportive herb for empaths, caregivers, and those learning to stand firmly in their own power.
📜 7. Historical and Folk Uses
Celtic traditions added borage to wine to inspire bravery.
Royal garments and knightly scarves bore borage as a symbol of honor and strength.
In folk medicine, it was considered a remedy to "comfort the heart and drive sorrow away."
✨ Ways to Use Borage Spiritually:
🌸 Add dried flowers to spell sachets
🫖 Brew into a ritual tea (use caution – small amounts only)
🕯️ Infuse in oils for anointing candles or tools
🔮 Place on your altar for intuition and protection
🔵 Work with it during Throat Chakra meditations
📿 Wear as jewelry or charm for courage and clarity
🧁 Culinary Uses
Leaves: Mild cucumber-like flavor. Can be used fresh in salads or lightly cooked to soften the texture (as they are covered in fine hairs).
Flowers: Edible and decorative. Often used to garnish salads, desserts, or drinks; can also be crystallized for confections.
Drinks: Traditionally added to cocktails like Pimm’s No. 1 Cup to enhance freshness and flavor.
🌿 Medicinal Uses
Historically valued in folk and herbal medicine for its supportive, anti-inflammatory, and soothing properties:
May help with:
Reducing fever
Calming coughs
Supporting adrenal function
Alleviating inflammation
Borage seed oil is rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid, and may support:
Eczema and other skin conditions
Hormonal balance
Rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions
Always consult a qualified practitioner before using borage therapeutically, especially in concentrated forms.
🐝 Pollinator Benefits
Borage is a magnet for bees and other pollinators, making it a superb addition to bee-friendly gardens.
It blooms over a long season, helping support pollinator health throughout spring and summer.
⚠️ Caution
Borage contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which may be toxic to the liver if consumed in large amounts or over time.
Occasional culinary use is generally safe.
Long-term or medicinal use should be approached with guidance from an herbalist or healthcare provider.
Borage oil supplements:
Should be avoided by those with liver conditions, pregnant or nursing individuals, or anyone on blood thinners.
