Home Farm Herbery

Some Good Reasons to Plant Comfrey©

By Arlene Wright-Correll

Many years ago a good friend of mine brought me some Comfrey clippings for my herbery. Comfrey is a large, perennial plant that keeps on coming back every year.

Comfrey (Symphytum officianale) is an attractive and useful plant, with large, hairy leaves and bell shaped purplish flowers. Native to Europe and temperate parts of Asia, it is in the same family as borage and forget me not.

Comfrey can be grown almost anywhere and in most types of soil, but is happiest with some shade. Comfrey is a fast-growing plant, producing huge amounts of leaf during the growing season, and hence is very nitrogen hungry so you can put animal manure on it.

Organic gardeners and herbalists love this plant. Mature comfrey plants can be harvested up to four or five times a year. They are ready for cutting when about 24 inches high and depending on seasonal conditions, this is usually in mid-Spring.Comfrey should be harvested by using shears, a sickle, or a scythe to cut the plant about 2 inches above the ground, taking care handling it because the leaves and stems are covered in hairs that can irritate the skin. It is advisable to wear gloves when handling comfrey.

The leaves and roots have been used medicinally for thousands of years, dating as far back as Roman times, and the plant is used as a fertilizer by organic gardeners. The following are just some of the reasons why comfrey is sometimes referred to as a “wonder” plant.

Comfrey has a high allantoin content, which increases cell production, helping wounds to heal rapidly and Comfrey poultices, salves and creams are recommended by herbalists for healing bruises, sprains, fractures, pulled muscles and torn ligaments.

Comfrey leaves can be used in the garden by placing them around your plants as mulch. As Comfrey decomposes it can be cultivated into the soil. Comfrey is a fantastic compost activator. It enriches compost, as well as encouraging it to heat up.

Comfrey contains mucilage, which coats and soothes irritated tissues.

Comfrey has more nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) than most commercial fertilizers available.

Tread the earthy lightly and in the meantime may the Creative Force be with you.

Arlene at Home Farm Herbery.