assignment 3

Borage or Borago officinalis

This herb was claimed to be the best of mood enhancers by Pliny, Dioscorides, and John Evelyn. It was naturally cultivated for the kitchen, used to flavor wines and teas. Preparations made from the seeds oil were thought to relieve respiratory inflammations. Most preperations to "improve" the mood were given in tea or wine. One could call it the earliest of anti-depressents! It was also used as a diruretic and emmolient, for fevers, and heart problems.

An image of the plant: http://www.botanical.com/botanica/mgmh/b/borage66.html

h.novak