![]() ![]() The original root will regrow and you will have a number of root tops, each of which will make a new plant. Simply use a spade to chop off the top 7cm of root just below the soil level. Division succeeds at almost any time of the year. If you have sufficient seed you can try an outdoor sowing in situ in the spring. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Propagation of Comfrey: Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame. A gum obtained from the roots was at one time used in the treatment of wool before it was spun. The leaves are also a very valuable addition to the compost heap. A liquid feed can be obtained by soaking the leaves in a small amount of water for a week, excellent for potassium demanding crops such as tomatoes. ![]() ![]() Simply layer the wilted leaves at the bottom of the potato trench or apply them as a mulch in no-dig gardens. It is tolerant of being cut several times a year and can be used to provide "instant compost" for crops such as potatoes. Other uses of the herb: The plant grows very quickly, producing a lot of bulk. The roasted roots are used with dandelion and chicory roots for making coffee. A tea is made from the dried leaves and roots. The peeled roots are cut up and added to soups. Older leaves can be dried and used as a tea. Young shoots can be used as an asparagus substitute. It can be chopped up finely and added to salads, in this way the hairiness is not so obvious. It may be full of minerals but it is not pleasant eating for most tastes. The leaf is hairy and the texture is mucilaginous. Habitat of the herb: Damp, often shady localities, in meadows, woods etc, especially near streams and rivers.Įdible parts of Comfrey: Young leaves - cooked or raw. This has a very limited range of application, but is of great benefit in the treatment of broken bones and eye injuries. A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh root, harvested before the plant flowers. The leaves are harvested in early summer before the plant flowers, the roots are harvested in the autumn. External applications and internally taken teas or tinctures of the leaves are considered to be completely safe, but internal applications of tablets or capsules are felt to have too many drawbacks for safe usage. Some caution is advised, however, especially in the internal use of the herb. The root and leaves are anodyne, astringent (mild), demulcent, emollient, expectorant, haemostatic, refrigerant, vulnerary. This substance is now synthesized in the pharmaceutical industry and used in healing creams. The plant contains a substance called "allantoin", a cell proliferant that speeds up the healing process. Comfrey is especially useful in the external treatment of cuts, bruises, sprains, sores, eczema, varicose veins, broken bones etc, internally it is used in the treatment of a wide range of pulmonary complaints, internal bleeding etc. ![]() The root and the leaves are used, the root being more active, and they can be taken internally or used externally as a poultice. ** Please note: Comfrey should not be taken internally as, even in small doses over time, it can be harmful.Medicinal use of Comfrey: Comfrey is a commonly used herbal medicine with a long and proven history in the treatment of various complaints. To learn how to make your own comfrey compost tea and how it benefits your garden, read our blog, Comfrey: Your Compost Companion. Because the plant yields large amounts of leaves, breaks down quickly and contains natural compost activators, you can create a compost tea from comfrey for fertilizing your plants. More recently, Comfrey has been the subject of a hot new composting trend. Though it makes a beautiful addition to the garden, it can sometimes be bothersome to get rid of, as new shoots grow easily from pieces of severed roots. You can then soak the sunburned areas in the cooled tea to help reduce pain and discomfort, and promote healthy skin regeneration.Ĭomfrey enjoys a wet, shady area and will do well in most soil types. Just steep fresh comfrey into a tea for external use, by straining the leaves and letting it cool. The plant's natural Allantoin levels also make it a great herb for after sun care. When mashed and heated into a poultice or applied as a salve, Comfrey can also make a wonderfully mild astringent great for ulcers and sores. Common Comfrey is also referred to as ‘Knitbone’ as it is the plant's high concentration of Allantoin that helps reduce inflammation of sprains and broken bones. Comfrey is one of our most popular medicinal herbs. ![]()
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