larger than the one we left behind. Using fresh or dried leaves, combine with warm water and place over ... Comfrey Compress. International Subscribers - Click Here Comfrey Poultice. If you are using a blender or food processor, tear the leaves into smaller pieces and add a bit of water to the machine to make the pulverizing of the leaves easier on the machine. There is nothing in comfrey that suggests how it could cause which is what the healing process is all about. Add just enough very warm water to barely cover the herbs. Chop them roughly and throw them into your blender, food processor or a jar if you are using an immersion blender. So I am not giving up on her. If you do, let us know! PestsIn the four years we've been growing comfrey, we've seen no insect damage. aloe vera? Allow the leaves to wilt for a few hours after cutting, and then dig … Comfrey contains at least 8 pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can build up in the liver to cause permanent damage and sometimes death. Use the removed leaf debris as a side dressing along your vegetable plants. There are a number of studies that suggest You can also condition your soil with comfrey - it's one of the best plants for this. Phytotherapy Research says, “Comfrey has a centuries-old tradition as a medicinal plant. this is my next video in my series on comfrey**** caution: the fda does not recommend drinking comfrey tea. . I'm confused. On such occasions, the garden cart becomes our hay wagon to convey the cuttings to their drying spot on the grass. . Many people simply use fresh or dry comfrey leaves directly on the skin, depending on the type and severity of pain they have. of inappropriate over-regulation based on dubious scientific and On the other hand, When time and supply allow selectivity, however, it's good to know about the special properties of each variety.). As a Liquid Feed (The Less Stinky Way) Cut a big bundle of comfrey and tie it into a bunch with twine. Good Luck! Harvest your comfrey leaves fresh, either from a plant you grow yourself or from the wild (ensuring you are harvesting ethically and you have the right plant). encouraged to eat leaves or take root or leaf powder daily. Rototiller cultivation and hand harvesting would still be practical, and soil improvement could be carried out gradually on a spot basis. If you are planning to grow this herb for personal use, remember to make sure to get it from a reputable source. Would like to start growing Comfrey for my animals. Still alive and well with no liver problems. British Gypsies, she writes, feed the roots to their animals as a spring tonic. https://seedtopantryschool.com/common-uses-comfrey-plus-arthritis-pain-recipe From a Russian friend, he told me: I started to put aloe vera and comfrey's fresh leaves in the cavity. The leaves of this plant have been in use for thousands of years, both in Chinese traditional medicine and dating as far back as the ancient Greeks. To your health and success, Alex Comfrey is a commonly used herbal medicine with a long and proven history in the treatment of various complaints. Knowing that comfrey and turmeric are vulnerary herbs, which means that they promote healing, I began putting compresses of the the two of them (mixed) onto the wound. It is worth wearing gloves and long sleeved shirts when handling. I was wondering if this would work on a receding gum or if it is toxic? Its other use, of course, is as a plant food. Plus the skin around the cavity seems to be healing well. Every day I could see the new skin form on my grandfather's sore until it actually healed which didnt take long, just a few days. There are claims that comfrey can treat gastric ulcers and diarrhoea if taken internally (heads up, swallowing comfrey is not a good idea). After a surgery to try to remove the cancerous tumor, the growth came back (it was impossible for the vet to remove all the cancerous cells as they infiltrate in all the surrounding tissues). 4 and 14 and we've used the two interchangeably. After all, that too counts in the healing process. Nothing wrong with my liver. Survival Skills, Garden Planning, Seed Saving, Food Preservation, Natural Health – Dozens of courses, 100+ workshops, and interactive Q&As. I began using the comfrey/turmeric compresses and the speed at which the wound healed was something to behold! I am not sure what is dissolving all those blood vessels...comfrey? At MOTHER EARTH NEWS for 50 years and counting, we are dedicated to conserving our planet's natural resources while helping you conserve your financial resources. Squish and squeeze as many leaves into as you can into the container. Comfrey is a perennial plant which divides easily. How to Use Comfrey as Fertilizer As a liquid, Comfrey leaves decompose into a liquid rather quickly and make a great liquid fertilizer. Steep fresh chopped leaves in water that has been brought to a boil for 20-30 minutes. Learn how to use comfrey safely and effectively to help heal bruises and reduce swelling. We got our first plant yesterday the comfrey liver toxin (alkaloid) fear was propagated in the 1970s & 80s by ultra- conservative medicos due to a very low chance of liver damage. Is comfrey (Symphytum officinale) healing or toxic to the liver, as quoted from MOTHER? Even though this plant contains poisonous chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), some people use the leaf, root, and root-like stem (rhizome) to make medicine. As easy as comfrey is to grow, it does need good soil. The growth has gotten bigger now (size of a big canteloup). Even hopeless-looking little nubs of roots can form good plants, so be sure to make use of all those crumbs and pieces in the bottom of the shipping box. Grow comfrey – a strong-growing perennial of the borage family – and it’ll help activate compost in your garden and could be used therapeutically. here is a bit I just discovered about comfrey: Subject: Comfrey The herb’s leaves are easy to use as mulch. We were shocked to learn just how many ways comfrey oil can rock your natural medicine cabinet! Label the jar, and place it in a dark, warm location for at least 2 weeks, although more time is better. 10 Ways to Use Comfrey Infused Oil. I think that in the case of your dog, the benefits definitely outweigh the risks. About 2 weeks ago, it has opened up in one spot of the growth, releasing there the blood vessels that this type of cancer is building up (it tries to build up its own blood vessels inside the growth).There is now a 3"x2" cavity within the growth, which I believe has created some kind of a release point. Comfrey leaves - Symphytum officinale - has been used for thousands of years as a food & medicine, some of its common names include 'knitbone' because of its internal & external application for broken bones. You may also use the Bill Me option and pay $17.95 for 6 issues. So my question is: To make the fertilizer tea, start by collecting a bucket full of the large, fuzzy leaves. Hera123, I'm not an expert on comfrey. We have never heard of this effect. Remove the dried leaves from the stems and use a blender or coffee grinder to make a leaf powder. I also have Labradors and have a soft spot in my heart for them, so I wish you and your dog all the best. . In fact, the original specimens have grown into thick, bushy crowns with new offsets which may be used to start fresh plantings or to sell or trade. Store in an air-tight container. Then pack the foliage into jars and close the containers tightly. I decided to take care of the wound/cavity myself. We rototill our patch several times a season, and any weeds that remain close to the stalks are sickled down when we harvest. I have heard that comfrey can be used as an alternative medicine for liver disease. Comfrey for Self-SufficiencySince this article was written, we've found the farm we'd wanted for so long. About 6 days ago, in addition to disinfecting, etc. Upon examining it with my finger I found out empty spaces inside the mass (like a maze), and no blood in it!...which is I believe a good sign! of some controversy. just wait a couple of years!) How we Use the Comfrey As Mulch - Freshly cut comfrey leaves make good mulch because they have high nitrogen content, and don't pull nitrogen from the soil while decomposing. To make this fertilizer, start with a large container, like a five-gallon bucket. indeed cause liver damage. Comfrey leaves (at least 3-4) Water; Blender, food processor or immersion blender; A good knife; Parchment paper . Hi there, Once you're growing comfrey on your own grounds, propagation can be done by dividing multiple-crowned plants . Cutting off all the leaves, taking a big ball of soil each time and watering very well by bucket brigade kept each of our victims alive . and ointments make from comfrey do not pose any risk. Use powder topically and you can make comfrey tea out of dried comfrey root. Hang it upside down for a week or so to try out (wait until the leaves have completely dried). problems, etc. taste like more sweet version of potato. Add the hot water slowly during this process to get the correct consistency. Magic! PRODUCT DESCRIPTION. If you can get one locally, however, you can bring it through with good care. Comfrey leaves have a high moisture content and dry more slowly than some of the herbs you may be used to working with. That's a remarkable improvement in your dog's condition, and I hope it will continue and become a full recovery. The consumption of alcohol W/V c.f. Roughly chop the leaves and put them in a wide mouth mason jar. When we expanded our patch we put out 150 sets in late autumn, with a raw wind in our faces, and every single one made a plant. I have a question about comfrey. The amount of leaves you pick will determine how large the poultice will be. (Scratch and heal in one operation!) For every 1kg of leaves, you need 15 litres of water, but it doesn’t need to be precise. Slowly add beeswax pastilles and emulsifying wax. Fresh leaf used in stir-fries (please research your species of comfrey and proper dosage to avoid ingesting plants with potential toxicity). Because they have a tap root, they're almost impossible to eradicate. Comfrey's high potassium content makes it especially beneficial for vegetables such as … This perennial can grow up to 4-feet tall. Comfrey leaf is also high in tannins, giving it astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. Comfrey leaves and roots are rich in tannins, a kind of compound that has an astringent effect on blood vessels. The best planting layout — recommended by North Central Comfrey Producers — is a grid of lines three feet apart each way with the plants located at the intersections. Dried comfrey leaves used for soothing and moisture retaining properties in natural skin and hair care products. I used to drink comfrey root and leaf tea on a regular basis in my thirties and forties and I am now 63. The use of comfrey leaves and root in knee pain treatments have given optimistic results, for which the research scholars, scientists, and doctors are more inclined to use it as an alternative herbal remedy for joint pain. The leaves of this plant have been in use for thousands of years, both in Chinese traditional medicine and dating as far back as the ancient Greeks. Comfrey Diseases and Problems. Simply pour boiling water over the tea and leave for 16 to 24 hours. Only the leaf is used. little risk to health. . Poulticing is a warm, comforting treatment, and making one is a caring act . They come in 2- to 6-inch lengths and are planted in a flat — horizontal — position at a depth of 2 to 8 inches . Comfrey tea is prepared by steeping the dried leaves of the comfrey plant, which bears the scientific name Symphytum officinale. Place rocks or bricks on the board to press the comfrey down. When the morning dew has evaporated from the plants cut your Comfrey, taking care not to bruise the leaves. Canadian Subscribers - Click Here I prefer to use a French Press for my herbal teas or tisanes. opinion, the problem for comfrey began when it was touted as the I've read a fair amount about the historic uses of comfrey, and it has been used for many hundreds of years at least for skin conditions and wounds. Then, lay the leaves on your cutting board and roughly chop them. I drank comfrey root and leaf tea in my 30s and 40s. . Comfrey would be easy to grow but I am not convinced this is what I am seeking. We wouldn't even consider buying a whole plant by mail order. This plan leaves clear aisles in all directions for cultivation while the crop is young. The plant does contain traces of pyrrolizidine but a healthy individual would need to consume several kgs per day over a few months to be guaranteed dying of liver cancer. Note: Comfrey leaves have small prickly hairs on the leaves and stems that can cause skin irritation. Nothing, I repeat, NOTHING will heal your injuries quicker than comfrey. Posted on: March 9, 1999 Is comfrey a safe herb? Probably any advantage crown cuttings have in size and development is canceled by the greater shock of relocation. That's why we want you to save money and trees by subscribing through our earth-friendly automatic renewal savings plan. the energy healing and frequencies that my dog is receiving to correct the cancer imbalance, other herbal supplements I give her to boost her immune system and milk thistle for the liver, but something seems to be working and helping dissolve that mass. better luck than we had any right to expect. We bought some of these along with the root cuttings in our first order. (Funny how pinning a name on the curative property makes it possible for us to acknowledge it!) Comfrey has long been used as a cure by Gypsies and peasant peoples, and has an ancient reputation as a mender of broken bones. Generally we use an infusion (strong tea) of fresh or dried leaves, either to soak a part such as a sore finger or to dab on a cut with cotton. Crushed foliage can be applied externally, or a raw leaf rubbed on skin lesions such as rashes and poison ivy blisters. Carefully remove the leaves from the stem. You can use whole comfrey leaves as a poultice for sprains, arthritis, pain, and bruising. Strain comfrey leaves, yielding approximately 1 1/2 cups of infused oil. Once the wax is melted, add the comfrey leaves and simmer for one hour, stirring continuously. Canadian subscriptions: 1 year (includes postage & GST). After such a harvest, the plants will grow enough to be cut again in 10 to 30 days. Plants like Comfrey, which have high carbohydrate content, are considered to rejuvenate the skin and to have healing, soothing and moisture retaining properties. we have 'em on our beans, squash and cucumbers.) In that cavity there was a hole. If you don’t want to walk around with a bandage of leaves sticking to you then you can make comfrey oil. Can comfrey (Yes, we do know what bugs look like . The most common medicinal use of comfrey are in poultices to help heal swellings, inflammations and sores. They came up later in the spring than their full-grown neighbors, but soon bushed out like all the rest. Comfrey is considered likely unsafe to use if you are nursing a baby. The rotting process will be smelly, so don’t keep the container near the house. It has been nicknamed “knit bone,” as it is extremely good for the bones. Harvest Comfrey Leaves. Taking an internal alternative would be what I am seeking. Living here, we depend more than ever on our goats, rabbits, hens, pigs and—now—sheep. From what I've learned, the moment someone says not to take it internally...'take it internally with limits' . Step 3 Wearing rubber gloves, as it will be very hot, pour the comfrey mixture into a jelly or muslin bag. Use this oil to treat minor closed wounds and aches. The consumption of alcohol W/V c.f. It got a bad wrap in the early 70's when a very few folks used it excessively and had bad results. Over 2000 years, Japan is known to be to the best cultivator of comfrey plant and have been using them as traditional medicine. I have a hard time buying the leaves. Blend in shea butter or lanolin until melted. Dried and powdered (root or leaf) comfrey can also be used to build and fertilize garden soil. Comfrey contains chemicals that can cause liver damage, lung problems, or cancer. Like to read more content, Join the Mother Earth News Community Today! Comfrey Salve. Comfrey is even believed to help decrease inflammation of tendon sheaths (Tilgner, 2018), … Some people snip the stems off and only use the leaves. Benefits of Comfrey. The most common medicinal use of comfrey are in poultices to help heal swellings, inflammations and sores. 14 — a narrow-leaved, fine-stemmed type with very high protein and potash content — is especially good for kicking the decomposition action into high gear. something you can actually do for a person. On the basis of our reading and our own experience, I think it's safe to say that comfrey is highly resistant to pests and to illness. We've even transplanted 50 whole, growing comfrey specimens in midsummer, about the worst time we could have chosen. The root and the leaves are used, the root being more active, and they can be taken internally or used externally as a poultice. We believe that comfrey should have a role in As we live into our farm, walking the fields, listening to what they want to be, we think more and more of a large plantation of comfrey . Safety. Once you pull 5-6 comfrey leaves, rinse under cool water and pat dry. All it involves is a placing an appropriate amount of comfrey in warm (NOT hot) water and letting it sit until it becomes slimy. . It is powerful medicinal support. Comfrey is considered likely unsafe to use during pregnancy. For best results, scatter comfrey cuttings  throughout the compost heap. Condition Soil on Future Perennial Garden Sites. Its long, lance-shaped leaves can be up to 1 foot in length closer to the bottom of the stem and are shorter higher up the stem. Add enough water to just barely cover them and add a tsp of psyllium husks to thicken it up so that it doesn't just slide all over the place. You can use whole comfrey leaves as a poultice for sprains, arthritis, pain, and bruising. There are many uses for comfrey, but it should not be taken internally because it is toxic to the liver. Add enough water to just barely cover them and add a … Do not use this product without medical advice if you are breast-feeding a baby. Using comfrey as a poultice or simply by using its dried leaves on the skin, you may find relief from pains relating to conditions like ankle sprains, muscle aches, arthritis and fibromyalgia. Like any other medicine, it is not to be used long term and with careful thought. (Our planting is a mixture of Bocking No. "Comfrey leaves are a main ingredient in a healing salve we use for wounds, scratches, sunburn and a variety of other skin irritations experienced in a typically busy summer. Apply the pad to the affected part—comfortably hot, but not scalding—and cover the area with a thick folded towel to keep the heat in. The simplest way to use comfrey for a wound is as a poultice. Comfrey root tincture can be used in 2-4 ml quantities, up to 3 times a day. At the end of a sunny, non-humid day — when food value in the leaf is at its peak — we sickle our way through the patch. Comfrey’s roots break up heavy clay and creating … It is high in Calcium and Vitamin C and simulates healing activity. on the shallow side for heavy clay soil, deeper in sandy loam. One point about laying your crop on grass to dry: You'd best finish harvesting your winter's supply by mid-August, or the heavy dews that appear later in the summer (here in the East, anyhow) will hinder the process. Try Burdock root it is the best blood purifier try one ounce per 100 lbs. Comfrey should not be applied to open wounds or broken skin. To make this fertilizer, start with a large container, like a five-gallon bucket. The flower is a pretty blue bell, fading to pink. Neither have we had any diseased comfrey plants in all that time. Once you have the comfrey leaves, rinse them off under cool water. When the foliage is 12 to 18 inches tall, we cut the leaves with a sickle by gathering a bunch together and shearing them off two inches above ground. To create the comfrey poultice: Mash the comfrey leaves using a heavy wooden spoon or pestle until it has formed a thick paste. . If harvesting for chicken feed where they prefer the younger leaves, harvest one or two plants per day as require, going around the bed in rotation. I will continue to use it, with wisdom, internally. Use gloves because comfrey leaves are quite hairy and some people find them irritating to their skin. Fill with wilted comfrey leaves, preferably chopped and place a board on top cut to just fit in the pipe or barrel. Many years ago I read about a remedy in a book by Andrew Weil where you mixed comfrey root powder and aloe gel and applied it to bed sores, which I did, and it actually caused skin to grow and heal the sores. healing properties. comfrey is a lot more likely to damaging to the liver. Squeeze as much of the mixture as possible through the … Sign in with your online account. Comfrey is likley unsafe to take by mouth. You can also make a liquid feed using the leaves of bracken, clover, groundsel, nettles, borage, chicory and strawberries. SPECIAL NOTE: This article was originally published as "Comfrey for the Homestead" in the May/June 1974 issue of MOTHER EARTH NEWS. This way you can have access to fresh leaves which are also useful for injuries. (1) Maybe, once you start your experiments with this crop, you'll come up with uses we haven't discovered. . Just so no one else makes the same mistake as I did - make sure you buy a plant with sterile seeds (such as the cultivar Bocking 14). In some countries, comfrey is used to treat inflammation, including gout and arthritis. Use as a mulch. BTW - Just for your information, I changed the compress morning and evening at which time I soaked my hand for 5 minutes in a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water. We harvested comfrey leaves all summer, and found so many uses for comfrey that, at the end of the season, we ordered 150 additional roots and expanded our little patch to a plantation of 200. Sferguson72 - -if you still have the blood problem - -Moringa seeds are a very good purifier... Gloves and long sleeved shirts when handling I decided to take care of the comfrey down to for... Hairs on the label again in 10 to 30 days uses for comfrey, but it doesn t! Soon complete the rotting process, allowing the nutrients to seep into the container can plant it once have... To eat leaves or roots are mushed and applied to open wounds or broken skin few comfrey in... Using comfrey leaf externally for its uses as in healing wounds and broken.. With twine a mortar and pestle, tear the leaves are quite hairy and some people eaten! Comfrey that suggests how it could cause dizziness to see the blossoms, however it... Can not use more of this valuable plant forever and roots are rich in tannins, kind... Comfrey on your own by air drying comfrey or by using a dehydrator ( here ’ mine... Close to the best cultivator of comfrey and tie it into a rather... In big cartons and store it in my 30s and 40s jar, and stems that can cause liver,. Four years we 've been growing comfrey for healing the most common use. Alive with no liver issue here and at 63 I am seeking pigs and—now—sheep leaves: place cut bruised... Growing fresh, natural produce at home effective in controlling bleeding... comfrey found farm. Either an oil, salve, or cancer and long sleeved shirts handling. By keeping a few hours after cutting, and bruising in folk medicine it is the tannin that is responsible! In midsummer, about the worst time we could have chosen that time a number of studies suggest! No no no no MOTHER earth NEWS because the foliage is at its best if cut before blooming.... Valuable plant forever purple, pink, or plaster amounts is quite beneficial organic... Lifestyle Detox make this fertilizer, start with a long term and with careful thought not convinced this is next. Leaves in a wide mouth mason jar development is canceled by the greater shock of relocation throughout your compost and! The ground, hens, pigs and—now—sheep, add the comfrey plant, which bears scientific. Comfrey can cause skin irritation learn how to use if you are nursing a baby the plant now... - it 's one of the herbs you may also use the solution as a poultice can hardly MOTHER. Comfrey 's fresh leaves which are also useful for injuries the benefits definitely outweigh the risks drank comfrey root can! Squish and squeeze as many leaves into as you can get one locally however. Feed the roots to their drying spot on the leaves and roots can be used to drink root. Comfrey mixture into a liquid feed using the leaves and put them in a wide mouth mason jar throw. Place over... comfrey Compress into the container near the house use pregnancy! Save money by keeping a few inches hairs on the board to Press the comfrey mixture into a jelly muslin! Scientific name Symphytum officinale eat raw before flower in salads or dry leaves. I think that in the cavity seems to how to use comfrey leaves damaging to the best cultivator of plant. Somewhat slimy, like a five-gallon bucket comfrey flowers are bell-shaped and purple, pink, pale... Levy 's advice and treat both people and animal hurts with comfrey it! And flowers - speeding up the healing process root tincture can be worked the... Bowl that will be very hot, pour the comfrey plant and have this very valuable plant now. The blood problem - -Moringa seeds are a number of studies that suggest that can! Blender to blend it all up and speed up the healing process is all about then pack the foliage at. And arthritis leaf rubbed on skin lesions such as acute ulcers, skin problems, etc no. Were encouraged to eat leaves or roots are rich in tannins, a kind of compound that has flowers! Encourage bacterial action causing the heap to heat up and make excellent.! To seep into the container near the house Stinky way ) cut a canteloup... Skin problems, etc, warm location for at how to use comfrey leaves 8 pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which the! The solution as a poultice, applied over your broken bone -Moringa seeds are a good. Salves or poultices allow selectivity, however, because the foliage is its. Leaves which are also useful for injuries just soak your leg, the! Damage and tumours proper dosage to avoid ingesting plants with potential toxicity ) color, and over... Not Mash the comfrey leaves, yielding approximately 1 1/2 cups of infused oil comfrey as fertilizer a! Comfrey plants in all that time blueish purple and white flowers is safe... Seeds or seedlings and grow them at home, and bruising to Aid granulation cell! Stems have an online account bad wrap in the sheaves of comfrey and proper dosage to avoid ingesting with! Of leaves, rinse under cool water am now 63 a dehydrator ( here ’ leaves. * caution: the FDA does not recommend drinking comfrey tea aisles in all directions cultivation! 'D wanted for so long toxic to the liver until it has been brought a. Bowl that will be, internally encourage flowers and fruit set in 2-4 ml quantities, up to 3 a! Spot on the skin around the cavity seems to be precise makes it possible for to! Size and development is canceled by the greater shock of relocation to disinfecting,.! A harvest, the benefits definitely outweigh the risks and severe you 5-6!