COMFREY

COMFREY

(Symphtytum officinale)

Other Names

Blackwort, Bruisewort, Common Comfrey, Gum Plant, Healing Herb, Knitback, Knitbone, Salsify, Slippery Root, Wallwort, Knitbone, Woundwort.

Description

Comfrey is a 5 foot perennial plant native to the United States and Europe.   It thrives in moist meadows and fields.   The black rootstock is fleshy and whitish on the inside.   The thick, spreading root produces a hollow stem that is covered with large hairy leaves.   The white, blue, or purple bell shaped flowers bloom from May through August.

Classification

Moist

Taste

Sweet

Balance Yin/Yang

Cool

Humor

Fire  ê  Water   é  Air   ê

Uses/Applications

Comfrey is a powerful healing agent in gastric and duodenal ulcers, hiatus hernia, and ulcerative colitis.   Use for bronchitis and irritable coughs.   Externally it will speed the healing of wounds and guard against scaring.   It is also excellent in chronic varicose ulcers.   It makes an excellent mouthwash or gargle for sore throats, laryngitis, hoarseness, and bleeding gums.   Taken internally it will also aid in excessive menstrual flow and bloody urine.

Aerial Part

Cream

Use for bone or muscle damage.

Infused Oil

Use on arthritic joints, bruises, sprains, and other traumatic injuries.   Also good for inflamed bunions.

Poultice

Apply to minor fractures that are not normally set in plaster, such as broken toes or hairline cracks.

Root

Poultice

Use on varicose veins or ulcers and other stubborn wounds.   It is also good for bleeding hemorrhoids.

Combinations

For gastric ulcers or inflammation combine with Marshmallow or Meadowsweet.  

For chest or bronchial combine with Coltsfoot or White Horebound.

Constituents

Mucilage, Gum, Allantoin, Tannin, Resin, Alkaloids, Volatile Oil.

Action

Vulnerary, Demulcent, Astringent, Expectorant, Emollient, Pectoral, Tonic.

Food Values

None

Part Used

Root, Rhizome, Leaf.

Collection

Collect roots in the spring or fall when Allantoin levels are the highest.   Split the roots down the middle and dry at 16^o  C.

Preparation

Cold Extract Tea

Use 3 heaping Tsp. rootstock with 1 cup water.   Let stand 10 hours, then strain.   Bring the soaked rootstock to a boil in a 1/2 cup water, then strain.   Mix with cold extract and drink a mouthful at a time throughout the day.

Decoction

Boil 2 Tsp. rootstock in 1 cup water or wine.   Take a cupful three times per day.

Infusion

Use 2 Tsp. rootstock per 1/2 cup water.   Drink 2 cups per day a mouthful at a time.

Tincture

Take 1/2 - 1 Tsp. three times per day.

Growing Directions

Comfrey can be started from seeds, but grows best from root cuttings taken in the spring or fall.   Sow the seeds in early spring in 1 inch of soil.   If you are planting root cuttings take a 1 inch long piece of root and plant in 3 inches of soil.   Set cuttings 3 feet apart.   Comfrey grows best in well-drained soil and will tolerate full sun or partial shade.   Once Comfrey has rooted it spreads like wild fire, so be sure to plant it where it won’t become a nuisance.

History

In America as far back as 1892, Comfrey was well known in the field of Pharmacology were is was called “Amica” of broken bones, inflammations, and wounds.   Comfrey’s country name was Knitbone, a reminder of its traditional use in healing fractures.   The herb contains Allantoin which encourages bones, cartilage, and muscle cells to grow.   When the crushed herb is applied to the skin the Allantoin is absorbed speeding up the healing process.   Legend says Comfrey baths were popular before marriage to repair the hymen, to restoring virginity.

Additional Information

1.   In 1978, the National Cancer Institute reported rats fed Comfrey developed liver cancer. 

2.   Bruce Ames of the University of California reports that 1 cup of Comfrey tea is about as risky as eating a peanut butter sandwich.

3.   Use is restricted in Canada, Australia, Germany, and New Zealand.

Cautions

1.   Avoid using on dirty wounds because rapid healing can result in infection.

2.   Comfrey has been found to contain chemicals that in large doses cause serious liver damage and cancer in lab animals.   As a result Canada has banned Comfrey

3.   Do not use if there is a history of liver disease, alcoholism, or cancer.

Magick Information

Gender:

  Feminine

Planet:

  Saturn

Element:

  Water

Deity:

  None

Powers:

  Safe Travel.

Magickal Uses:

  Wear Comfrey to ensure safe travel.   Place it in your suitcase to protect against lost luggage.