The young leafy shoots, buds, petioles, and roots are used as food in parts of Turkey. The leafy and budding plant body is cooked as a vegetable, while the petioles and roots may be pickled. This is not merely theoretical edibility; it is a documented regional food plant. However, as a borage-family plant with medicinal activity, it is best treated as a cooked traditional vegetable rather than a raw salad green or daily bulk food. Edible Uses & Rating: Oriental borage is a good cooked vegetable in regions where it is culturally known and properly prepared. Its edibility is stronger than many obscure wild greens because research from Turkey describes it as consumed as a vegetable and reports notable nutritional value, including important levels of vitamin C, minerals, and protein (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335032833). Taste, Processing & Kitchen Notes: The best food stage is young, before the leaves become large, coarse, and bristly. The leafy shoots and budding tops are best cooked like spinach, borage, or comfrey-like greens. Petioles and roots can be pickled. Because mature leaves are rough and hairy, texture is likely the main limitation. Cooking, chopping, and pickling are more appropriate than raw use. Seasonality (Phenology): It flowers early, usually in March to April in cultivation, with bluish-purple flowers and white throats. Young edible growth is therefore likely best in early spring, when leaves and shoots are tender. The large leaves develop afterward and can reach 10–50 cm across. Safety & Cautions (Food Use): Use cooked, especially when first trying it. The borage family includes plants with biologically active compounds, so regular heavy consumption should be approached with caution unless local traditional practices and personal tolerance are well understood. A 2023 study identified rosmarinic acid as a major compound associated with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, reinforcing that this is a bioactive plant rather than a neutral leafy vegetable. Harvest & Processing Workflow: Harvest young leafy shoots, unopened budding tops, and tender petioles in early spring. Wash well because the rough leaves can trap grit. Cook as a potherb, sautéed green, filling, or soup vegetable. For pickles, use clean young petioles or roots, prepared according to established regional methods. Cultivar/Selection Notes: The plain green form is most common, but ornamental selections exist. ‘Kiwi Sun’ is sold as a golden-leaved form with spring gold foliage maturing to green. Ornamental selections should not automatically be assumed superior for food; leaf tenderness and flavor would need to be assessed separately. Look-Alikes & Confusion Risks: It can resemble comfrey, borage, pulmonaria, and other rough-leaved Boraginaceae. It is distinguished by its early blue-purple flowers, large heart-shaped leaves, rhizomatous groundcover habit, and spring emergence. Correct identification matters because not all rough-leaved borage relatives are equivalent food plants. Traditional/Indigenous Use Summary: In Turkey’s Black Sea region, Trachystemon orientalis is a well-known traditional vegetable. Research notes that the leafy and budding plant body is consumed as a vegetable, while roots and petioles are consumed as pickles in several parts of the region. It is also used in folk medicine as an antipyretic, diaphoretic, diuretic, laxative, analgesic, antiflatulent, antirheumatic, and other medicinal roles [2-8].

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


Trachystemon orientalis (Oriental borage or Abraham-Isaac-Jacob) has a rich history in traditional medicine, particularly in the Black Sea and northwest regions of Turkey. It is valued for its high concentration of phenolic compounds (such as rosmarinic acid). Traditional Medicinal Uses: Inflammation & Pain: Traditionally used as a remedy for arthritis and rheumatism. Diuretic & Detoxifier: Acts as a blood purifier and promotes fluid loss and sweating. Wound Healing: Applied topically to treat wounds and various skin conditions. Lactation: Historically used to help promote milk production in breastfeeding mothers. Other Uses: Acts as a mild laxative, antipyretic (fever reducer), and antiflatulent. Modern Pharmacological Research Studies are actively exploring these traditional uses to understand the underlying bioactive compounds [2-8]. Key findings include: Antioxidant Properties: The plant exhibits strong free-radical scavenging activity due to rosmarinic acid and other phenolics. Antidiabetic Potential: Extracts have shown moderate to high inhibitory activity against enzymes involved in diabetes, such as \(\alpha \) -glucosidase.Anticancer Research: In vitro studies suggest that aqueous extracts may induce apoptosis (cell death) in breast cancer cells while exhibiting lower toxicity to normal cells.Antimicrobial: Research indicates mild-to-moderate antibacterial and antifungal activity against pathogens such as E. coli.Safety Note: While scientific evidence supports its high antioxidant and nutritional profiles, rigorous human clinical trials remain limited. You can learn more about its bioactive profile and potential by reading the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Study on its therapeutic value. Always consult a healthcare professional before using plants medicinally [2-8].

An excellent bold-leaved groundcover for shade, especially under trees or in difficult dry shade. It can outcompete weeds, which is useful in large areas but potentially troublesome in small mixed borders. Grow it where a vigorous groundcover is wanted. It performs well in shade, including dry shade once established, and is suitable for naturalizing. Ecology & Wildlife: It provides early flowers for pollinators, dense groundcover for soil protection, and strong weed suppression in shaded habitats. In edible landscapes, it may be especially useful as a perennial spring vegetable for shade, a niche few food plants fill well.

Special Uses

Ground cover