Growing Comfrey in a Healing Garden,
Growing comfrey as one of your own medicinal herbs can help to improve your emotional as well as physical well-being. Comfrey grown in a healing garden is high in potassium, calcium, and phosphorous. Additionally, the herbs are rich in vitamins A and C. Its name comes from a Latin word that means "heal". The herb is native to Europe and Asia. It has hairy leaves and stems with pink, blue, or white flowers that grow in clusters. Planting This bushy plant grows up to five feet tall. Comfrey prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade. Provide each plant with at least three square feet when planting. Growing comfrey from seeds or divisions, these plants are tolerant of cold temperatures. Choose a location carefully as the herb is likely to be a permanent planting. Transplanted, it is almost bound to leave some of its extensive root system to begin a new plant in the original spot. Some seasoned gardeners believe the plant's root system taps minerals found deep in the earth and are in turn made available to other surrounding plants. Soil Divide comfrey roots or take root cuttings in spring or autumn. Plant in moist soil in sun or shade. Care needed when growing comfrey Cut the plants back after the New Year to encourage new growth. Mulch annually with aged manure for maximum leaf production. Lift, divide, and replant every 3 years. The herbs may require containment.
Harvest leaves which can be used fresh, wilted, or dried. Use fresh roots or split lengthways and dry in the sunshine.
Storage Dry herbs in paper bags hung in an airy location. The leaves of Russian comfrey are perfect for the compost bin because they have a similar carbon-nitrogen ratio to barnyard manures. Health Benefits As healing plants, it was an ancient belief that by tying an herb poultice to the injury, comfrey hastened broken bones to heal. As with most plant folklore, there are now scientific studies to back up these old beliefs. It is possible that the nutrients in comfrey do speed the body's ability to heal. Science has proved that the substance found in the healing herb called allantoin promotes the strengthening of the bone lining. Uses As indicated by the common names, healing herb and knit-bone, comfrey's uses are mainly medicinal. These days, concoctions of roots and leaves are confined to external use only. Leaves are used in poultices for treating wounds and eczema. Wilted leaves are commonly used as animal feed, liquid fertilizer, plant mulch, and compost. A strong comfrey tea like solution is used on the skin to promote healing of burns, cuts, sprains, and bruises. Since comfrey contains alkaloids that cause liver damage it is not considered safe for internal use. According to herbalists, a warm comfrey poultice eases the pain and irritation suffered from blocked milk ducts for breast-feeding mothers. Directions for a comfrey poultice: 1. Place a handful of fresh or dried leaves in a cloth diaper or piece of cheesecloth. Tie with twine or string. 2. Put the herb package in a pot of simmering water for 15 minutes. 3. Remove the packet of herbs. Drain and allow it to cool for several minutes before applying to the affected area. Repeat up to five times a day as symptoms persist. Do not reuse the herbs. Some of the reasons for growing comfrey is that it can be use for treating sprains and bruising.You will need to brew comfrey tea and soak sterile gauze in it. After applying ice to the bruise for a while, apply the herb compress. Go to Healing gardens from Growing Comfrey |
