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rom Aristotle, the bible or Dioscorides, to Gerard and Culpepper and even to modern books, medicinal and culinary uses of herbs have been documented throughout time.  Even playwrights like Shakespeare  have extolled their virtue.  And let us not forget Ellis Peter’s character Brother Cadfael.  Magical uses for herbs have been handed down from one generation to the next through stories and lore. And that is the focus of this article—herb lore and more importantly—what could go wrong.

The Celtic term for borage was barrach—a man of courage. While Dioscorides claimed that borage brought about absolute forgetfulness, Pliny said that it makes a man merry and joyful. So, naturally, I’m forced to wonder what happens with a courageous warrior who cheerfully can’t remember a thing…