Comfrey, Symphytum Officinale
It is mid December and we've had our first snowfall here in Nova Scotia. Funny time for a post about a plant! I've been working on and putting off finishing this post for months. Better late than never? I will begin my Nova Scotian Materia Medica with a very useful, versatile, and controversial plant, comfrey.
I am lucky enough to have several areas in my garden and lawn where comfrey grows. All you need is a small piece of root and some good earth and very quickly little leaves will begin to grow. Any time you disturb the roots, this perrennial will grow even more vigorously.
Comfrey is referred to in folk medicine as knitbone or boneset. It's leaves and roots are rich in allantion, which is a substance that helps regenerate cells. Comfrey is also anti-inflammatory, which is why the leaves were once used as bandages wrapped around sprains or placed as poultices on broken bones to speed healing. Comfrey tea or decoction is traditionally used for respiratory support, to help expel mucus and soothe lungs. Internal use is not always recommended due to the risk of harm to the liver, though there are many that still use comfrey leaf tea to speed wound healing from the inside. When taking comfrey internally I only use the leaves, not the roots. The roots contain more of the harmful alkaloids.
Another great (and very smelly!) use for comfrey is in compost tea. This is due to comfrey's deep tap root which absorbs minerals from the earth and sends them to the leaves. The leaves are highly biodegradable and rich nitrogen and potassium as well as calcium and other minerals. To make the compost tea, fill a bucket with comfrey and cover it with water. Try to keep the plant matter submerged. Cover and wait 2-4 weeks. The mixture will be very stinky! To use, I stir and then try to push the plant matter down to the bottom and pour off some liquid into another bucket or jug. Add water so that the mixture is 5 parts water to 1 part comfrey compost tea. You can water your plants with this often, and I've been told by a gardener who earns his living growing and selling tomatoes at a farmers market that this compost tea is crucial to the success of his crop.
Stay tuned for part two, where I will share my recipe for a healing comfrey salve and more information about this miraculous plant!
(images from google images)
We love natural remedies and all the wonderful plants that live on our planet. Thanks for the interesting story.
Im glad you enjoyed the post :)
Amazing post!!! Comfrey is one plant I do not have. After reading this I need to find me some roots:):):) thank you <3
I hope you find some, a little will grow and spread into a lot, and the more the merrier!
I am on a search in my area now! Asking my peeps <3
I can probably mail you some if you aren't able to find any :)
I love Comfrey and have used it often over the years. I used to be able to purchase a Salve and it was wonderful for many uses. Please keep posting I love this information. I am a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and no longer working in the field (other than family) but still very much alive and interested in all levels of natural and alternative care.
Wow, that's awesome! I make a lot of herbal medicines and skin care products for my family and friends. So many powerful plants growing right under our noses unnoticed! I would love to learn more about holistic nutrition if you ever feel like sharing your knowledge in a post :)
Hi...yes..I am new to Steem and I will be doing my Introduction early in 2018 and I will be posting regularly about Nutrition and related topics and running. I am also a runner. I have made several of my own things over the years. Insect repellent for one and rub for the boys when they have a cough. (This is Brendans mom, I guess you know). So yes share I will as I do miss working in the industry and am always looking for like minded folks :)))
Cool tip on the compost tea! I have a very large patch on the property. I have known about the medicinal uses, but compost tea! Awesome!!! I know what I am doing next planting season ;) What other plant matter doyou like to use for tea?
I use borage as its very similar to comfrey, I've also added nettle stalks. I made my own fish emulsion this year which is pretty much the same process, but I won't be doing it again. The smell was out of this world and my family members were really unhappy with me!
Wonderful post Amy! I absolutely NEED to start growing comfrey next year!!
I've got roots to share!
YAY! Thank you Neighbour!
My daughter is a gymnast and with the bruises and occasional sprains she gets, applying comfrey gets her back to training in no time where others have weeks off. We've finally got enough comfrey this year for me to make infused oil with it, which is great because the cream we bought has nearly run out!
That's great! My comfrey patches are still pretty young so I know the feeling. It's hard to choose what to use the precious leaves for until it's spread to an over abundance!
Hi Amy! This is an excellent post. I grew comfrey for the first time this year. I knew it was a good plant but wasnt sure what to do with it!! Appreciate the tips and looking forward to part 2 :)
Thank you! I wrote part 2 today, hope you like it :)
Awesome! Need to check it out. Thx for letting me know. I adore the pic of you and your pullet today. How sweet are the two of you!!!?! Omgoodness!!! <3
Thank you! I really love my chickens. They excite and delight me!
Comfrey is one of my first medicinal plant favourites!!
Great article!!
Thank you! It's one of mine too, though it's so hard to pick favorites!