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Comfrey
Latin Name: Symphytum Officinale Family: Boraginaceae |
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Climate range.................................. Aspect range.................................... Mature height................................... Mature width.................................... Special purpose............................... Foliage type..................................... Soil Type.......................................... Propagation..................................... Sow-Plant........................................ Space Apart..................................... Flowering Season............................ Flower Color.................................... |
Tropical, Warm, Temperate, Cool Full sun 4' 2' Medicinal, Compost Starter. Perennial Damp grasslands. Root Spring 2' Late Spring Purple, Pink, White |
COMMENTS:
Comfrey has a deep taproot, oval pointed, rough-textured leaves, and blue-mauve, tubular flowers in late Spring. Will spread rapidly by root so do plant this herb in an enclosed place where a rototiller will never be! The leaf and stems will excelerate the decomposition of your compost pile, and are excellent manure and fertilizer. I put extra roots in a barrel of water to rot, to use for watering plants for extra nutritional value.
Uses: Comfrey contains calcium, potassium, phosphurus, and allantoin, which speeds cell renewal in damaged muscles and broken bones. Leaf tea treats inflamed, ulcerated digestive tracts and coughs. A leaf poultice reduces swelling and bruising around sprains and arthritic joints and speeds healing of cuts, burns, open sores, and eczema.
Remark: Concentrated root alkaloids fed to rats have been linked to liver cancer so use of Comfrey is restricted in some countries. Further research suggests, however that the whole plant may have anti-cancer properties. Internal use of roots and large amounts of leaves should be avoided. Daily dosage limitation of one large leaf per day.
Recipes
Comfrey Flour
Comfrey flour can be added to any bread, cake, biscuit recipe for added nutrition. To make comfrey flour dry the whole herb in a dark well ventilated place. Roots should be chopped at a slight angle before drying to expose as many cells as possible. This helps release the medicinal content. Ground after the plant is dry.
Comfrey Soup
Wash Comfrey and nettle tips and remove middle rib from Comfrey leaves and stalky bits from nettles. In a saucepan add, comfrey, nettles, onion, potatoe, salt and pepper to taste and water. Cover and simmer gently till everything is quite soft. Put through an electric blender or fine seive. Beat egg yolk and milk together and add to puree. It can then be eaten or served cold. Garnish with a swirl of whipped cream.
- 12 comfrey leaves
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 7 oz. water
- 1/2 pint creamy milk
- large handful nettle tips
- 1 medium potatoe sliced
- 1 egg yolk
- salt and pepper to taste
- whipped cream to garnish
Hot Soak for Sprains and Sore Muscles
Bring the ingredients to a boil, cover and let steep till cool enough to use. Either soak the sore area in this mix or dip a clean towel in and use as a compress.
- 1 oz. Rosemary
- 1 oz. Comfrey
- 1 gallon hot water
Soft Hand Recipe
- 1 oz ground Almonds
- 1 beaten egg
- 1/4 oz. ground Comfrey root
- 1 tbls. honey
Mix all the ingredients together. Coat your hands well with the mess and have someone assist you in putting on rubber gloves. This is best if used before bed and mix left on till morning. Works for dry feet as well.


Chamomile & Comfrey Satin Soap - 16 oz
