In that time, it was already being used as a medicinal herb to help stop bleeding, help with lung issues and it was also used to help heal broken bones. The flowers of the comfrey plant are bell-shaped and purple in color. It also helps in conditioning your hair and controlling hair loss. Sow comfrey seeds in fall or early spring directly into the ground or in a cold frame. Fertilise the bottom of your potato and and runner bean trenches with a layer of comfrey leaves. Attract pollinators to your garden. Comfrey is a common name for plants in the genus Symphytum. Although not examined in clinical trials, comfrey may possess antifungal and anticancer activity. That’s why I generally wait for the plant to be about ready to fruit or flower. It is hardy to zone (UK) 5 and is not frost tender. Health Benefits of Comfrey. It regrows very quickly, so you can easily harvest a big bunch by cutting it off just above the crown, and it’ll come back pretty speedily. Comfrey is an incredibly useful plant to have in the garden, both boosting soil fertility and providing attractive flowers for bees and pollinators. Comfrey is a tall, rough-leaved plant found growing in waste places and old fields. Comfrey moisturizes and tones your skin and removes blemishes. This species is the largest of the genus, rising to 5 feet and more, with prickly stems and bold foliage, the leaves very large and oval, the hairs on them having bulbous bases. Proponents claim that comfrey cream can treat a variety of health conditions and injuries. How to grow comfrey Garden comfrey has a higher nutrient content than the common wild comfrey, and its leaves can be cut several times in a season. Comfrey uses for muscle and joint pain. Comfrey is a herb that help in skin cell growth. Comfrey is a tall, easy to care for perennial plant that is often grown simply for its beauty. Comfrey has been found to contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that damage the liver and has been implicated in causing cancer of the liver. It has had various uses, not only as a medicinal herb but also as food and drink. The History of the Comfrey Plant. Medicinal uses: Only for external uses, comfrey is highly effective for bee stings, sprains, and more. The soil should be rich, moist, and alkaline with a pH of 6.7-7.3. Comfrey is a tall, perennial, herb plant, also known as boneset because it was used to heal broken bones. It is not certain whether comfrey is effective in treating any medical condition. Fodder: Pollinators and poultry love this abundant herb. When you apply comfrey to your skin, it can have some benefits on rashes and irritations. The species most popular as a garden plant is Symphytum officianale, a tuberous-rooted clumping perennial.It is a tall, easy-to-care-for plant, also used as livestock feed and for making compost. Plan to plant in a shaded area, or half sun half shade location. There is documented use of this plant as far back as 400 BC. Beauty: The simple elegance of comfrey is a welcome sight in the forest garden. General uses. Therapeutic use of comfrey is limited because of its toxicity. Dried and powdered (root or leaf) comfrey can also be used to build and fertilize garden soil. Symphytum officinale is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in) at a fast rate. The high content of antioxidants, as well as vitamin C, makes comfrey pastes and salves the ideal solution for speeding up the healing of wounds. I’s leaves look the same as the ones in your photo’s but I planted it, thinking it was a small shrub and it is now about 3 metres high. Comfrey Plant Description. The great thing about comfrey is it grows so prolifically, you can pick the leaves multiple times in the season and it will keep going. Mulch. In her book Physica, Hildegard of Bingen begins her chapter on Comfrey uses, which she refers to as “Consolida”, with a … Comfrey species are important herbs in organic gardening. It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from June to July. Its Latin name, Symphytum, comes from Greek words meaning “growing together of bones” and “plant’”.Besides being used to mend broken bones it’s also used for healing wounds and lung ailments, stopping heavy bleeding, and for topical skin treatments. By harvesting the leaves and letting them break down, you’ll have a rich, dark, nutrient-rich plant food to use around the garden. Comfrey plants are members of the Symphytum genus, a group of about 35 species of flowering perennials. Hans / Pixabay. Hi, I’m a little confused about my ‘Comfrey’ plant. Symphytum officinale is a perennial flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae.Along with thirty four other species of Symphytum, it is known as comfrey.To differentiate it from other members of the genus Symphytum, this species is known as common comfrey or true comfrey. How to Grow Comfrey: Comfrey plants require a climate in hardiness zone USDA 3-9. A variety with flowers of a rich blue colour S. Asperimum, Prickly Comfrey, was introduced into this country from the Caucasus in 1811 as a fodder plant. Comfrey has very deep roots, which means it extracts large quantities of nutrients from far below the soil’s surface, inaccessible to other plants. Comfrey cream is a natural substance made from Symphytum officinale, an herb in the borage family.Also known as comfrey ointment, salve, or gel, it's said to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain when applied to the skin. 8. 3: Powdered Comfrey in the Garden (The Best-Kept Secret of all the Comfrey Uses!) Other uses not proven with research have included skin wounds, skin ulcers, cough, sore throat, gum disease, joint pain, diarrhea, and other conditions. Generally, comfrey is known to heal broken bones, as it is a rich source of calcium. Comfrey’s broad, slightly prickly leaves make it a bit coarse for borders, but there is nothing like a naturalized patch of comfrey to fill in spots that get partial shade. Buy Comfrey - Plant and 6000+ more gardening products online. https://seedtopantryschool.com/common-uses-comfrey-plus-arthritis-pain-recipe The Romans and Greeks cultivated comfrey as far back as 400BC for its medicinal properties. Plant Up Shady Areas. Wild comfrey (symphytum officianale) is a smaller plant with yellow flowers, produces seeds, and should not be eaten. About 36 species of flowering perennials long used to heal broken bones, as it is becoming established used. Simple elegance of comfrey leaves been applied to the family Boraginaceae applied, comfrey. 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comfrey plant uses

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