what do you do with comfrey plants

7 Best Uses for Comfrey

1. Plant Up Shady Areas. Comfrey’s broad, slightly prickly leaves make it a bit coarse for borders, but there is nothing...
2. Bulk up Compost. One of the best uses for comfrey is as biomass for bulking up compost. The leaves are remarkably...
3. Feed the Bees. Comfrey is a favorite forage plant for bumblebees, which may cut slits in the flowers...

Full Answer

What can I do with comfrey in my garden?

Use as a mulch. Chop up comfrey leaves with grass cuttings, and place a 5cm layer on the surface of the soil around all plants. This will slowly rot down to provide nutrients, and act as a mulch to keep in moisture and help control weeds. Add fresh cut leaves to your leaf mould heap.

How do you use fresh comfrey?

You can use whole comfrey leaves as a poultice for sprains, arthritis, pain, and bruising. If you don't want to walk around with a bandage of leaves sticking to you then you can make comfrey oil. Rub it onto the same injuries as a massage oil but avoid putting it on broken skin or wounds.

How do you harvest comfrey plants?

3:094:02How to harvest Comfrey! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWith getting a bigger comfrey harvest so in plus if you're going to use her internally it's best toMoreWith getting a bigger comfrey harvest so in plus if you're going to use her internally it's best to do so after few blooms. So you're kind of just like. Right now like these Leafs I'll mainly use for

What part of the comfrey plant is used?

The root and leaves of the comfrey plant have been used in traditional medicine in many parts of the world. In Japan, the plant has been harvested and used as a traditional treatment for over 2,000 years. It was originally called “knitbone” and people used it to treat: muscle sprains.

Is comfrey good for compost?

Comfrey cuttings make an excellent bioactivator in the compost bin. If you have a large amount of dried brown material—such as fall leaves—layering it with comfrey cuttings is an efficient way to balance out the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio and jumpstart decomposition.

How do you dry comfrey leaves for tea?

1:585:44COMFREY - DEHYDRATING & MAKING TEA (STEP BY ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you lay another piece of the dehydrator tray on top of them to hold them in. Place. You herbsMoreSo you lay another piece of the dehydrator tray on top of them to hold them in. Place. You herbs such as this comfrey always needs to be dried. At a low heat and over a longer period of time.

When should I cut comfrey?

Cut the Comfrey as the flowering stalks emerge up to 4 times a year. Allow the plants to flower at least once during the season to provide bee fodder to a range of native bees and honey bees. Leave the last flush of leaves before the winter so that invertebrates can find winter shelter in the undergrowth.

Should I let my comfrey flower?

If you promptly remove the spent blooms, this can prevent the plant from spreading its seeds. Cutting back the stems after the plant flowers also can result in a rebloom. As with all rapid growers, comfrey needs a lot of nitrogen to look its best and flower well.

Does comfrey come back every year?

Extremely cold hardy perennials, comfrey plants become dormant in winter and re-emerge every spring.

How to make comfrey tea for houseplants?

Place 2 inches (5 cm) of crumbled dry comfrey leaves in a quart jar, fill with water, shake and let sit overnight. Strain out the leaves and you have a gentle comfrey tea for houseplants. < All Guides.

How to grow comfrey leaves?

I also like to chop comfrey leaves into pieces and use the greens as a surface mulch, which is then topped by a second layer of straw, hay or grass clippings. In this way, the nutrients in the comfrey leaves enrich the soil from the top down as they decompose.

What is a comfrey plant?

Widely adapted and easy to grow, comfrey (Symphytum species) originated as a woodland wildflower of Europe and Asia. Various medicinal uses for comfrey date back 2,400 years, and no wonder. If you cut a stem and touch it to your tongue, you can taste a tingle, as if the sap is alive. We now know this is due in part to the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can be toxic to the liver when eaten by people and other animals. So what? Without ever tasting a leaf, you can use comfrey to make your garden more beautiful and productive. After working with this talented plant for 30 years, here are what I think are the seven best uses for comfrey.

What is the best way to use comfrey?

2. Bulk up Compost. One of the best uses for comfrey is as biomass for bulking up compost. The leaves are remarkably rich in potassium, with some nitrogen and phosphorous as well. I use an old knife to gather whole leaves to layer into compost whenever the need arises. Studies of comfrey plantings made especially for biomass production have found ...

Do bumblebees eat comfrey?

Comfrey is a favorite forage plant for bumblebees, which may cut slits in the flowers that make the nectar accessible to other insects. On warm summer mornings I often see several bee species feeding on comfrey flowers, as well as the occasional butterfly. If I cut back old flower spikes, the plants rebloom for most of the summer.

What is Comfrey

True comfrey is a perennial medicinal herb that often grows in grasslands and along riverbanks. It is native to many parts of the world such as Europe and Asia, and it was likely brought to the US by immigrants from Great Britain for medicinal purposes.

Planting and Caring for Comfrey

Planting comfrey is a relatively easy affair. They can be grown from comfrey seeds which can be started indoors or sown directly. Just make sure that your soil is no longer frozen.

How to make comfrey oil?

Dry leaves work best with this method. They have less moisture, which lowers the chance of spoilage. Screw a lid on the jar, place it in a paper bag to protect it from direct sun exposure, and place it on a warm windowsill. After two weeks, strain out the herbs and rebottle the oil.

When was Comfrey used?

It’s been used since the time of the ancient Greeks, and possibly as far back as 400 BC. During the Middle Ages, comfrey enjoyed great popularity as a medicinal herb. During the 1700s and 1800s, it was a common plant in herb gardens.

How to make lotion with comfrey tea?

You can combine comfrey oil and comfrey tea into one easy-to-use, super-smooth application. Start with your infused oil and add 1 ounce of beeswax per cup of oil. Heat this with a double boiler and stir until the wax is thoroughly incorporated. Take this off of the heat and add 1 cup of comfrey tea for every cup of oil you used. Blend it with a hand mixer until it gains a texture you’re happy with. Unlike a salve, a lotion will stay fairly soft in the refrigerator.

How long does comfrey oil last?

For the faster method, place your comfrey and oil in a pan and heat them on low until the oil takes on the color of the herbs, around 30 minutes to an hour. Strain out the herbs and bottle the oil. Comfrey oil can be store at room temperature, but will last much longer in refrigeration.

How long does it take for comfrey to steep?

Tea/Infusion. For a hot infusion, pour 1 cup of boiling water over 2 teaspoons of comfrey and let it steep for around 10 minutes, until it is cool enough to drink. For cold infusions, pour cold water over the comfrey and let it stand for 6-8 hours.

What is the plant that is used to heal wounds?

But long before comfrey was a scary plant, it was a healing plant of high esteem, used to treat a variety of ills. Most famously, it is used to speed up and ensure proper healing of wounds. Its name is a corruption of “con firma,” which means “made firm” or “to boil together.”.

Is Comfrey good for pain?

Comfrey is also an excellent herb for reducing pain. It’s anti-inflammatory, demulcent, and astringent attributes combine to reduce swelling, soothe, protect, and tone inured, angry tissues. [note]Pedersen, Mark. Nutritional Herbology: a Reference Guide to Herbs.

What is a comfrey plant?

Comfrey ( Symphytum officianale ), a member of the borage family, is a fast-growing, leafy perennial. The Latin name is from the Greek symphis, which means “growing together of bones” or “knit together.”. Comfrey has appeared in the Materia Medica since the Middle Ages and some references to the plant date back as far as 50 AD.

How long to boil comfrey leaves?

Steep fresh chopped leaves in water that has been brought to a boil for 20-30 minutes. Strain with a kitchen strainer. I prefer to use a French Press for my herbal teas or tisanes.

How long can you keep comfrey tea in the refrigerator?

The tea can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 6 months for cool, soothing use. Do not take internally. Use comfrey for no more than 10 days in a row. Do not use comfrey in the presence of active liver disease or in conjunction with medications that impair liver function.

How long does it take for comfrey to infuse?

Loosely pack a 1 quart mason jar with comfrey leaves. Fill with the olive oil, or enough to cover the comfrey leaves, and allow to infuse for at least 30 days.

When did the FDA remove Comfrey from the list of ingredients?

Germany and Canada followed suit and in 2001, the FDA asked major manufacturers to remove comfrey from their standard list of ingredients. (Note from Editor: It should be noted that the studies that led to this decision involved isolating PAs and injecting them at high concentrations into rats.

Why do we use herbs?

In many cultures, herbs are used to promote health and restore the human body to a state of balance in order to facilitate the healing process.

Is Comfrey a synthetic substance?

It has both anti-inflamatory and keratinolytic effects and is useful in the treatment of skin conditions following post radiation in cancer patients. It is now formulated synthetically. Comfrey also contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), a known hepatotoxic agent.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

When does a comfrey plant die?

Temperature and Humidity. Comfrey is hardy both to the extremely cold and hot temperatures within its growing zones. It will die back in the late fall once frost and freezing temperatures have arrived. But the roots will remain, and the plant will come up again in the spring.

What nutrients do comfrey plants need?

Comfrey as a Fertilizer. All plants need specific macro-nutrients for maximum growth, bloom, and fruiting. These are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Much like humans, they also need micro-nutrients such as manganese and calcium.

How to use a herb leaf as mulch?

The herb’s leaves are easy to use as mulch. Nature will take its course and soon complete the rotting process, allowing the nutrients to seep into the ground. Just spread the leaves around the edges of plant roots and then bury them with 2 inches (5 cm.) of soil.

How to grow comfrey tea?

The plant needs no special care and grows in partial shade to sun. Harvest the leaves and put them just halfway in a container. Wear long sleeves and gloves to protect your hands and arms from the prickly hairs on the leaves . Making comfrey tea will only take a few weeks. ...

Is comfrey good for plants?

Comfrey has the three major nutrients plus high levels of calcium, which can be very beneficial if harvested and made into comfrey tea for plants. This nutrient-rich food is applied as a liquid soil drench or as a foliar spray. The composted leaves yield a rich deep greenish brown liquid.

Can you plant comfrey seeds on top of a plant?

Plant fruiting vegetable seeds on top but avoid leafy and root crops. Comfrey as a fertilizer has many forms, all of which are easy to use and make. The best thing about the plant is you can cut the leaves several times in a season for a constant supply of this nutrient-rich, useful herb. Printer Friendly Version.

Is comfrey a good fertilizer?

Comfrey is more than just an herb found in cottage gardens and seasoning blends. This old fashioned herb has been used as both a medicinal plant and food crop for grazing animals and hogs. The large hairy leaves are an excellent source of the three macro-nutrients found in fertilizer. As such, it makes an excellent liquid fertilizer ...

What is a comfrey plant?

One of my favorite herbs, the comfrey plant, is a multitasking master. It can be used as a nutrient-rich mulch, a beautiful pollinator attractor, and a “compost booster”. Additionally, it has been used a medicine for at least 2500 years. Read on to learn why you need this spectacular plant in your own garden.

How to grow comfrey?

If you decide to grow a lot of comfrey, you can make a liquid fertilizer out of its trimmings. You can easily make it in a food-grade bucket or barrel. Fill 3/4 of the your container with comfrey trimmings, and then fill with water. You’ll want to cover it and let it steep for 3-6 weeks.

How hot can a comfrey plant survive?

It’s frost tolerant and hardy in zones 4-9. The leaves can take temperatures of 15 degrees and still survive, and the roots can survive to -40 degrees!

Where do comfrey roots get their nutrients?

Olichel / Pixabay. As mentioned before, comfrey’s deep tap roots pull out nutrients from much further down in the soil than most other plants. A lot of these nutrients end up in above-ground plant parts: leaves, stems, and flowers. This wealth of nutrients can easily be shared with the rest of your garden!

Can you leave a comfrey plant in the ground?

You can’t leave even one little piece of its tap root in the soil. Otherwise, you’ll soon see a brand new comfrey plant popping out of the ground. There are at least 35 recognized types of comfrey that have been cultivated. By far, the most common type found is “Bocking 14″—a Russian comfrey ( Symphytum x uplandicum ).

Is a comfrey perennial?

Claudiakatharina / Pixabay. One thing to keep in mind when planting comfrey is permanence. Comfrey is a deep-rooted perennial, so planning out where to start a patch is very important. Attempting to dig out all of the root system to move your comfrey patch is easier said than done.

Is comfrey a good companion plant?

Comfrey is an awesome companion plant for several reasons , If you have fruit trees or an orchard, I suggest growing them there. This will keep them from spreading in your garden, and your fruit trees will directly benefit from this new plant friendship.

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.

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 knitbone used?

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. It’s particularly useful for insect bites, including if your honey bees get mad at you.

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.

Where is Comfrey native to?

Common Comfrey Varieties. Comfrey is native to Europe, and it’s found all over Great Britain, where it grows wild along waterways and ditches. It probably made the leap to the Americas in the 1600s with European settlers. Now, you can find it all across the globe.

Is comfrey good for chickens?

When I was growing up, it was common to feed comfrey to livestock because of its high mineral and protein content. Studies show that comfrey contains selenium which is often deficient in our fields and livestock. It also has lower levels of fiber, which makes it good for pigs and chickens.

Is comfrey a drought tolerant plant?

Once established, comfrey is drought tolerant because of its long roots. However, it will be happier if kept moist, particularly during dry spells. You don’t need to worry about fertilizing comfrey.