Comfrey
If they sowed an acre or two of this overlooked and unused, ancient plant, it could offer a real solution to all farmers facing the nitorgen fertilizer crisis. Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) is without question one of the best plant fertlizers that exists. It has a long taproot which hoovers up valuable nutrients and trace minerals from deep, down in the soil. It’s a very fast-growing, hardy, high-yield perennial, with at least two harvests possible per season. Comfrey leaves are a major source of NPK and wilted Comfrey leaves contain significantly higher amounts of potash than other organic fertilizers. It can also be used as an animal feed for some animals, such as pigs, sheep and chickens, but cows and rabbits will only eat the leaves once they’re wilted. Whilst it can handle full sun, it will wilt easily in the heat If not adequately watered.
As a medicinal plant it is only recommended for external use due to some contraindications when used internally, but it can be made into a “tea”, oil, ointment or poultice for use on all external sprains, strains, pains and swellings where the skin is unbroken.
- Comfrey’s Allantoin content works to increase the rate at which the body produces new cells.
- Excellent external treatment for muscle aches, inflammation or bruising.
- Vitamin C is a major constituent of Comfrey which stimulates white blood cell production, increasing the strength of the immune system, even when used externally.
- Also known as ‘Knitbone’, sometimes as ’Boneset’ (See *Please Note below) Comfrey stimulates new bone growth and speeds-up the healing time of broken bones.
- Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory compounds relieve all manner of skin irritations and symptoms from bites, stings and burns to psoriasis and acne.
- Works very well as an expectorant even when just rubbed on the chest, by helping to eliminate mucus and phlegm from the respiratory tract.
*Please Note:
As stated above, there are some contraindications when using Comfrey internally. It’s said to contain Pyrrolizidine alkaloids which can danage the liver and may even be carcinogenic. That being said, in the past, Comfrey has both been eaten as food and used internally as medicine… so who knows… Still, as someone who uses Comfrey externally, on an almost daily basis, I have never yet been tempted to try it internally to find out, at least until further studies are done.
Comfrey is often called ’Knitbone’ colloquially and sometimes also ’Boneset’, but don’t confuse it with another plant called ’Boneset’ (Eupatorium Perfoliatum) which is another very useful medicinal plant, and does an entirely different job altogether. Although Eupatorium is much safer taken internally it does contain some of the same alkaloids as Comfrey so large amounts of that are not recommended either.
We make no attempts to treat or diagnose anyone’s condition, we merely share information about how these valuable plant allies have been and still are being used today. Please consult with your healthcare provider before adding any new herb to your health regimen, especially so if already on prescription medication. We will not accept liability for any harm, loss or injury which may result from anyone choosing to act upon this information.
