Sorrel, also known as borage, is an annual herbaceous plant growing up to 30–60 cm tall. The leaves are large and oval-shaped, covered with a hairy pubescence on mature plants, while the flowers are blue. The entire growth cycle takes 25 to 45 days, depending on growing conditions and variety.
Young sorrel greens are valued as a salad plant due to its bright fresh taste and strong aromatic scent reminiscent of cucumber. Leaves can be used as a seasoning for vegetable dishes, in canning and pickling, as well as dried for making infusions.
In folk medicine, borage is used as a diuretic, laxative, and anti-inflammatory agent. Infusions from leaves and flowers help with rheumatic pain, edema, heart weakness, and kidney inflammation, and also have a calming effect. Oil obtained from the plant is used in cooking and folk medicine for treating gastrointestinal tract diseases.
Yield of green mass can reach 3.5 kg/m² with proper sowing (depth 1.5–2 cm, row spacing 10×30 cm). The plant grows well in partial shade and open ground, and its early maturity ensures a high yield.
