How to make homemade comfrey?
Instructions:
- Make an infusion with the olive oil and dried herbs. There are a couple of ways to do this. ...
- Strain the hot, infused oil through a fine mesh cheesecloth, into a pint size mason jar.
- Add the beeswax pastilles and stir until melted. ...
- Once the beeswax is melted and the mixture is blended, add 20 drops of rosemary essential oil and mix thoroughly. ...
Where to plant comfrey plants?
So you may want to plant your comfrey around fruit trees such as:
- Apple
- Apricot
- Pear
- Plum
- Nectarine
- Peach
How to use comfrey in your garden?
Using Comfrey As Fertilizer
- How To Make Comfrey Compost Ever since I have been composting my kitchen scraps, I have been aware of comfrey as a great addition to the compost pile. ...
- Using Comfrey As A Mulch You can also use comfrey directly in the garden as a mulch over the top of your garden bed. ...
- Comfrey As Liquid Fertilizer
What does comfrey taste like?
Comfrey is really high in protein, =highly nutricious and highly stinky. While I usually tip really smelly/anaerobic things on the compost, I imagine I could aerate comfrey tea as much as I liked, and it would still pong.
Does comfrey come back every year?
Extremely cold hardy perennials, comfrey plants become dormant in winter and re-emerge every spring.
Where is the best place to grow comfrey?
Comfrey can grow in full sun to partial shade, meaning it needs at least three hours of direct sunlight on most days. In the warmer parts of its growing zones, plant it where it will get shade from the strong afternoon sun.
How does comfrey spread?
Many people worry that comfrey will become invasive and spread. Our comfrey does not produce viable seed and stays in place. It will only spread if disturbed because any piece of comfrey root will make a new plant. So any digging or rototilling near comfrey will result in new plants.
How much space does comfrey need?
Planting Comfrey Whether planting root cuttings, mature plants, or seeds, plant them about three feet apart.
Is comfrey toxic to dogs?
The Merck Veterinary Manual lists comfrey as an especially risky herb because of its pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which have been linked to liver damage. The alkaloids are actually produced by the herb to fend off bugs, but the insecticide can be harmful to a dog.
How long does it take to grow comfrey?
You will start to see new shoots poking out of the soil after about three to six weeks. If you choose to grow crowns or root cuttings in containers for planting out later, choose a large pot at least six inches deep.
Why did FDA ban comfrey?
The pyrrolizidine alkaloids in comfrey can cause severe liver damage, liver cancer, mutagenicity, and even death. [8,9] For this reason, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has banned the sale of oral comfrey products in the United States.
Are comfrey roots invasive?
Comfrey also self-seeds. Between the self-seeding and root regrowth, comfrey can become invasive. There is a sterile species of comfrey, Symphytum x uplandicum 'Bocking 14', which eliminates the self-seeding problem in the garden.
Is comfrey good for the garden?
Comfrey is the organic gardener's best friend. Its leaves are full of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium - all nutrients needed by growing plants. Master the use of comfrey and you'll never need to buy expensive fertiliser again.
How do you stop comfrey from spreading?
Smother the Plant Smothering is also effective at stopping comfrey from growing and spreading. Cut it down; you want it level with the ground. Cut large plastic sheets to cover the entire plant. You can set them in place, then use stakes or rocks to keep them there.
Should you cut back comfrey?
If you like Comfrey flowers, cut back the stems after flowering is done and you may get a rebloom.
Is comfrey an evergreen?
Comfrey is a perennial herbaceous forb that is semi-evergreen in the south.
Is comfrey plant illegal in the US?
However, it has toxic substances called pyrrolizidine alkaloids that damage the liver and can lead to death. Comfrey is no longer sold in the U.S., except in creams or ointments. The United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Germany also have banned the sale of oral products containing comfrey.
Does comfrey improve soil?
Comfrey's roots break up heavy clay and creating channels for aeration and better water absorption, similar to dandelion roots. Over time, its decomposing leaves and roots enrich and condition the soil. This dual action of decomposing leaves and roots can help improve marginal land.
Where does comfrey grow wild?
Wild Comfrey is an uncommon forest species in the north central and northeast counties of Minnesota. It is easily identified by the sparsely flowered, coiling clusters at the tip of the stem, densely hairy stem, upper leaves clasping the stem, and bristly fruits.
Do chickens eat comfrey?
Like the chicken, Comfrey has many beneficial uses. It's edible, medicinal, is a great nitrogen source for the compost pile, and it's a low fiber, high protein feed for chickens and other livestock.
How to grow comfrey from seed?
So it's more common to propagate the plant from root cuttings. Trim off 2- to 6-inch lengths of the root, and plant them horizontally above 3 inches deep. Plant them less deep in clay soil, deeper in sandy soil. Keep the soil consistently moist (but not soggy) until you see growth.
How tall does a comfrey grow?
Symphytum x uplandicum: Also known as Russian comfrey, this hybrid can grow up to 6 feet tall and sports violet flowers.
What is the common name for a comfrey plant?
There are multiple related species that also use the common name comfrey, including: Symphytum caucasicum: This plant is commonly referred to as Caucasian comfrey or blue comfrey for its flowers that start pink but then transition to a bright blue.
What is a comfrey plant?
Comfrey ( Symphytum officinale) is a perennial flower that grows in clumps naturally along riverbanks and in grasslands. It also can be a nice addition to a wildflower garden and container plantings. The plant grows slightly taller than it is wide. It features large, pointed, dark green leaves up to 8 inches long that have a coarse, hairy texture. The lower leaves tend to be larger than the upper ones on the plant. Tiny bell-shaped flowers bloom in the late spring in clusters off of drooping stems. They often attract bees and other pollinators. Comfrey has a vigorous growth rate and can be planted at any time when the soil is not frozen.
What is the name of the plant that grows at any time?
Comfrey has a vigorous growth rate and can be planted at any time when the soil is not frozen. Botanical Name. Symphytum officinale. Common Names. Comfrey, common comfrey, true comfrey, boneset, knitbone, knitback, comfrey consound. Plant Type. Herbaceous perennial. Mature Size. 12 to 36 inches tall, 9 to 30 inches wide.
How much sun does a comfrey need?
Comfrey can grow in full sun to partial shade, meaning it needs at least three hours of direct sunlight on most days. In the warmer parts of its growing zones, plant it where it will get shade from the strong afternoon sun.
What is the best way to feed a comfrey?
The best feeding regimen for comfrey is to provide regular organic amendments to the soil, such as a layer of compost applied each spring . Comfrey's very long roots are good at finding deep nutrients in the soil, so additional feeding is not necessary.
What Is Comfrey?
Comfrey is an herbaceous perennial member of the borage family. While there are over 30 known species, only a few are generally cultivated for human use.
What is the botanical name for a comfrey?
It was used by the Greeks and Romans to heal broken bones and wounds. The word “comfrey” comes from the Latin verb confervere, and the botanical name Symphytum is derived from the Greek symphyo, with both meaning “grow together.”.
Why is Comfrey used for healing?
It has been used both topically and internally for many centuries in Europe to help heal broken bones, bruises, burns, and wounds.
How big are comfrey leaves?
This medicinal herb is easy to identify, with its clumps of large, upright, 12 to 18-inch hairy green leaves, and characteristic drooping clusters of bell-shaped purple flowers. The ovate leaves grow rapidly and, if repeatedly cut down, comfrey can continue to flower all through the summer.
What is the name of the plant that grows in American gardens?
The plant most commonly grown in American gardens is S. x uplandicum, also known as Russian comfrey. It is a naturally occurring sterile hybrid of S. officinale and S. asperrimum. This popular variety is easier to manage than S. officinale since it does not proliferate by seed.
Is it hard to top a plant?
It is hard to top a plant that can improve soil, support fruit trees, attract pollinators, add beauty, and provide medicine all at the same time.
Is a sage plant easy to grow?
And it is extremely easy to grow – perhaps too easy, as it tends to spread if it’s not well managed. But don’t let that scare you. Incorporating this remarkable plant into your landscape is absolutely worth it.
How to grow comfrey from seed?
Starting From Seeds. Start comfrey from seeds indoors in late winter. Comfrey seeds need a chilling period. Place them in a cool dark area such as an outdoor shed or refrigerator for a month before planting. They are slow to germinate, and if conditions are not to their liking, they may take a year to start growing.
Why is comfrey a good companion plant?
Companions for Comfrey. Growing comfrey with other plants is smart because it brings minerals from the subsoil up to the topsoil. It gets tall and can crowd out its neighbors, so keep spacing in mind. This can also work to your advantage as it can provide shade for cool-loving greens.
What is the best compost plant?
Comfrey makes an excellent compost plant. It’s high in minerals including potassium, silica, magnesium, calcium, nitrogen, and iron. These minerals enter your compost as the plant decomposes.
Why is Comfrey called knitbone?
Comfrey is nicknamed knitbone because of its healing properties for skin and bone issues. It contains allantoin and when applied topically it can relieve distress from skin irritations, cuts, sprains, and swelling.
What is a comfrey flower?
Comfrey has large taproots and dainty bell-shaped flowers that add a delicate bit of cheer to the garden . It’s especially impressive looking placed in the center of an herb bed.
How to add comfrey to compost?
To add comfrey to your compost, harvest the leaves and toss them in your green layer. Let the microorganisms break it down and mix in the nutrients.
Why do honey bees use comfrey?
I was invaded by yellow jackets last year and stung twice. I made a comfrey poultice to draw out the toxins. Traditionally, comfrey was used for internal ailments such as stomach aches.
How to propagate a comfrey plant?
How to Propagate Comfrey by Division 1 Choose a large, healthy comfrey plant at least one whole growing season old. 2 Cut off the leaves. 3 Dig up the whole plant. Dig down at least six inches and gently lift the plant out. It will likely come in sections. 4 Pull gently to separate natural sections. 5 Long roots can be trimmed to make planting easier. Plant as cuttings. 6 Plant divisions out separately at the same depth and orientation (leaf side up) that they were when you dug them up. 7 Pat the dirt in gently around them. 8 Water.
How big do comfrey flowers get?
Simple. In less than a month (unless it is winter), you should see your comfrey plant begin to emerge. The first leaves will be only a couple inches long and oval. In the first year, it will grow a foot high and a couple feet wide. The following spring it will grow wider, and the flower heads will grow three feet high.
How many cuttings of comfrey can be produced in a year?
Biomass: Comfrey can produce up to seven cuttings in a year! Medicinal uses: Only for external uses, comfrey is highly effective for bee stings, sprains, and more. Fodder: Pollinators and poultry love this abundant herb. Beauty: The simple elegance of comfrey is a welcome sight in the forest garden.
Is comfrey a biomass?
Comfrey is possibly the most abundant temperate biomass crop, as well as a medicinal and fodder crop. Who wouldn’t want to grow this useful plant? Fortunately, it is also very easy to propagate. If you don’t have comfrey yet, it can easily be grown from root cuttings you find online. If you already have a plant, however, it could easily, ...
How tall does a comfrey grow?
This healing herb typically grows to reach heights of five feet tall. Comfrey generates clusters of flowers that come in various shades of blue, purple, and white.
When do comfrey plants start to grow?
Comfrey plants are cut back before winter, and they do not begin actively growing again until the spring.
What to do with a comfrey plant that has been cut back?
The greens that are cut back from the comfrey plant make an excellent addition to the compost pile. Spread a manure based mulch over the cut back plants before winter begins to help give the comfrey plants a healthy start for the spring growing season.
What is the root of a comfrey plant?
This herb plant has slender and long leaves, and is known for its unusual black skinner roots. It is the roots of the comfrey plant that have most prominently been used in healing natural remedies for centuries. In Japan especially, comfrey was dubbed “knitbone.”.
How big does a comfrey bush grow?
Comfrey often grows to between two to four feet in diameter. If growing comfrey in a container, it will need to boast a wide diameter opening and be at least five gallon in size.
How to bolster comfrey plants?
To bolster growth throughout the spring and summer, consider spreading poultry bird droppings around comfrey plants. If the soil becomes too acidic and the plant starts to show signs of distress like drooping or discolored leaves, spread agricultural lime around the base to help replenish the soil.
How many types of comfrey are there?
There are at least 35 different types of comfrey plants. The most commonly planted variety is Bocking 14 – or Russian comfrey. This version of the plant is a hybrid of rough comfrey and common comfrey plants. Common Comfrey. Russian Comfrey. Rough Comfrey.
What does comfrey do to your garden?
Just as when you use comfrey as mulch, when you add it to your compost you are inevitably going to enrich your soil with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Go ahead and add your excess green leaves to your compost bin, your garden will thank you.
How big does a comfrey plant get?
At the same time it also prefers moist, well-watered soils. Size-wise, comfrey can reach up to 5′ in a very fertile soil and about 4′ in width. Plants will be smaller when conditions are less than ideal. Overall, they will grow just about anywhere once they are established.
When to harvest comfrey?
One last thing before you plant your comfrey seeds, or root cuttings, is knowing when to harvest.
Why add comfrey to compost?
Why add comfrey to your compost? Well, for starters, it bulks up your compost with organic material that is rich in nitrogen. This in turn, results in an increase in microbial decomposition. In essence, it gives a boost to your compost pile which might otherwise be sluggish.
What is the true comfrey from which poultices and salves are made?
The true comfrey from which poultices and salves are made from is: Symphytum officinale.
How to make comfrey liquid fertilizer?
To make comfrey liquid fertilizer, harvest your comfrey leaves and chop them up as small as possible. Add the chopped comfrey to a container that has a lid (the brew stinks and you’ll definitely want to contain that smell) such as a five gallon bucket. Cover with water, put the lid on and allow to infuse for 4-6 weeks.
How long does it take for comfrey liquid to infuse?
Cover with water, put the lid on and allow to infuse for 4-6 weeks. Strain out the leaves, dilute the final liquid with water at a ratio of 10 parts water to one part comfrey liquid. Water your plants with the diluted mix. Here’s out total guide to making and using comfrey liquid fertilizer. 2.
Why do people grow comfrey?
People who grow comfrey are mainly after the plant’s medicinal qualities. Indeed, comfrey has a massive following in the world of alternative medicine where comfrey-filled capsules, salves, oils, and bath soaks are popular.
How long does it take for comfrey to germinate?
Germination is a fickle thing with comfrey. It might take as long as a year.
What is comfrey used for?
In some countries, comfrey is used to treat inflammation, including gout and arthritis. There are claims that comfrey can treat gastric ulcers and diarrhea if taken internally (heads up, swallowing comfrey is not a good idea).
What are the compounds in comfrey leaves?
If you use comfrey leaves as a mulch, you’ll treat your garden to a good dose of silica, nitrogen, iron, magnesium, calcium, and potassium.
Why is comfrey banned?
The commercial sales of comfrey products have been banned in several countries due to the plant’s toxic nature. The main problem is that comfrey contains alkaloids that endanger the liver, among other issues. The damage can be caused by either ingesting or applying a comfrey product to the skin.
How to cut a comfrey?
Cut as low as you can and ensure that the scissors or knife didn’t tear or squash the stem. Place the cutting inside the hole and add soil to steady the cutting. Water gently. Place in indirect sunlight for the first few days. Keep an eye on the cutting’s hydration. Comfrey wilts very fast when thirsty.
Is a comfrey a quick growing plant?
Comfrey is a quick-growing plant. Truly, it’s amazing to watch how fast this plant can replenish itself after a good pruning. Comfrey cuttings also have this zest for life.
How big does a comfrey plant grow?
When picking a site for your comfrey you should also consider that each individual plant may grow up to 3 feet wide and comfrey has a tendency to spread quite a bit and be rather hard to dig out of gardens if you decide you don’t want it in a certain area anymore.
How long is a comfrey root?
They’re simply pieces of root, usually 1-3 inches long so if you have a neighbor with comfrey plants go barter for some! Or you can just purchase some from us right here … hint, hint. While comfrey is extremely hardy it prefers fertile soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0 and full sun to partial shade.
What is a comfrey bone?
Research your animals specifically before feeding though! Herbal Medicine. Comfrey has long been used as an herbal remedy and is often referred to as “knit bone” It has been used to treat a variety of ailments including acne, bone breaks, sprains, burns, and bronchial problems.
Is comfrey a good mulch?
It’s frequently used in permaculture and herbal medicine. Comfrey makes a great mulch and compost.
Can you grow comfrey from seed?
Personally I’ve never grown or known anyone to grow comfrey from seed but it’s totally possible. Comfrey root cuttings are often the chosen route because they’re readily accessible and they give your comfrey a jump start meaning that you can harvest sooner.
Can you cut back a comfrey plant?
Comfrey makes a great mulch and compost. It’s super hardy so you can cut it back and use the leaves for mulch. Mature plants can be cut multiple times per growing season.
Can comfrey be grown in hot areas?
Comfrey can survive as a perennial in areas with -40° F winter temperatures and does well in extremely hot areas, 120° F, as well (zones 3-8). As I previously mentioned it can also handle multiple harvests each season. Perfect right?
Where can I grow comfrey?
Comfrey can be successfully grown in the high desert mountains, in wetlands, in forested areas, and just about anywhere you can grow other crops.
How tall does a comfrey grow?
What is comfrey? Comfrey is a thick herbaceous perennial with deep roots. It can grow over 3 feet tall. It produces flowers beginning in late spring and continuing into fall. Comfrey produces large amounts of organic matter, builds soil, and can help conserve water.
Why do I need to chop comfrey leaves?
Strategically planting comfrey in places where it is needed, such as around fruit trees, makes it easy to quickly chop and drop comfrey leaves to keep your trees healthy.
What minerals does Comfrey mine?
Comfrey mines minerals with its deep roots and delivers significant amounts of nitrogen, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and silicon to offer to the garden. Composting leaves or mulching with them puts the nutrients into the system.
What is comfrey mulch?
Comfrey can also be used as a thick living mulch. Plant a ring around fruit trees, then chop leaving leaves in place to add vital nutrients to soil and help soil retain moisture. Comfrey can help break up compacted or clay soils with their deep tap roots.
How to store comfrey roots?
Dig the roots, wash, and chop into small pieces to help them dry more quickly. Once the chopped roots are completely dry, store them in a glass jar.
How long does it take for a comfrey to kill?
Comfrey can be killed off with a non-selective herbicide. A glyphosate solution is an effective choice. It will take about two weeks to work. This may require repeated applications in order to be successful. I prefer to avoid using chemicals and go for either of the methods below.
