Comfrey

On Nov 19, 2009, bonehead from Cedarhome, WA (Zone 8b) wrote:

When it flops over, cut it back hard, it will come back again and again. I typically get 3-4 bloomings per season from mine. Great medicinal plant, and also good supplement for any grass eating animal.

On Nov 28, 2007, creekwalker from Benton County, MO (Zone 5a) wrote:

I loved this plant. I had bought Comfrey seed, planted them in the spring and they never came up that summer. Two years later, I have this plant growing by my front door and I realize it is from the Comfrey seed I had planted before! It was beautiful but later in the summer when it got so big, it started collapsing and getting in the way of my door.

But I still wish I had another one!

On Jul 6, 2004, dbjccomfrey from Norridgewock, ME wrote:

I've wanted to start growing comfrey for some time,reading anything and everything on its history of use. I have my first plant in the herb bed-because its growing fast, and also I decided to grow a comfrey bed all by itself, I will move it this week. I'm growing the comfrey bed for compost reasons and home medicinal purposes. Ive had the opportunity to use it on myself 2 weeks ago when I fell thru the rotted back deck{will be removed}and injured my leg with 3 good size areas of black and blue and scraping.I applied the poultice 2 nites in a row,on the 4th day the bruising was gone,most of the swelling, and only a little tenderness.Last nite I took a comfrey bath, and my skin and hair is very soft. This is one herb that deserves priority attention in my gardens.

On Jun 17, 2004, foodiesleuth from Honomu, HI (Zone 11) wrote:

I have tried growing it from seedlings given to me by a friend. Mine have not fared too well....hers are gorgeous! She uses it as a border plant and when it starts getting rambunctious she pulls the strays up and chops them into the mulch pile to use on other herbs and veggies.

My friend is a hollistic physician and also uses it for medicinal purposes.

On Apr 20, 2004, welshherblady from Isle of Anglesey,North Wales,
United Kingdom (Zone 8a) wrote:

Medicinal plant aka Knitbone.For humans and animals.
Excessive internal use not recommended.
Be advised by a medical herbalist before internal self treatment.
Can be used as a feed for your garden and also used to encourage breakdown of compost heaps.

On Aug 17, 2003, scooterbug from Tellico Plains, TN (Zone 7b) wrote:

I have this plant on my hundred year old farm, the German immigrants who built this house were vegetarians and mostly self-reliant. The family says it has been here as long as they can remember, for over 80 years, and in the same spot.

I do not find it invasive. I have relocated some where I need something green growing. Easy hardy plant. It flops mid-summer, run the mower over and it comes up a 2nd time. If you mow it enough it will give up.

Comfrey has many beneficial uses for the Organic Gardener.

On Jun 19, 2003, NancyD from Waterloo, ON (Zone 5b) wrote:

I bought one of these plants last year at a neighbourhood plant sale, can't say that I was real impressed the first year, but this year...it is wonderful. My plant is now almost 4 ft. tall and is not being invasive in any way. I guess time will tell. It might be because of my climate (cold winters). This is probably the healthiest plant in my garden this year. It is making quite an impressive showing.

On Jun 15, 2003, Stonebec from Fort Worth, TX (Zone 7b) wrote:

I have grown this plant for years in a pot to keep it from spreading. The pot is never placed on bare ground. I trim the root ball in late fall and keep only the younger, center core of the plant to overwinter. I have used the leaves for medicinal purposes in combination with other herbs as a salve. It worked quite well. I harvest and dry the leaves while they are still young. They can also be used fresh for wounds.

On Feb 9, 2002, Baa wrote:

A large perennial from Europe and Western Asia.

Has ovate-lanceolate, mid-dark green, thickly veined leaves thickly covered in bristles. Bears tubular to almost bell shaped, dark violet/pink to white, pendant flowers borne on a coiled flower spike. Much loved by bees.

Flowers May-July

Loves humus rich, deep, fertile, neutral, well drained soil in a sunny position but will tolerate quite a bit of shade. Has a long tap root which can reach over 10ft long and once planted can be difficult to erradicate.

Many years ago it was a popular medicinal plant and has many common names such as knitbone and bruisewort. It's leaves were made into a liquid, oily substance which was used to heal skin inflammations. Fresh, young leaves were made ... read moreinto a poultice to reduce swellings, burns, very dry, cracked skin and cuts. This has been used for centuries and has some scientific fact.

Leaves and roots were also used for stomach ulcers, coughs, respiritory and digestion problems, and as a skin softener. Made into a decoction it was used to cure gum problems and was an effective mouthwash. A comfrey cold compress soothed eyes.

Fresh leaves can be boiled to make into a gold dye for cloth.

Young leaves and shoots can be washed and boiled as a vegetable and has a range of minerals and vitamins in small quantities.

The plant can also be chopped up and added to the compost heap, its quite high in potash. Liquid comfrey fertilizer is best when it is made from S. xuplandicum but S. officinale can also be used in the same way.