COMFREY

COMMON NAME: COMFREY, KNITBONE, COMMON COMFREY LATIN NAME: Symphtum officinale

COMMON NAME: RUSSIAN COMFREY LATIN NAME: Symphtum uplandicum

FAMILY: Boraginaceae

HISTORY: “COMFREY” comes from the Latin confirma which mean “with strength”. symphtum from the Greek word “symphtos” - to unite. Both name refer to the use of these plants in healing fractures. In the 1653 “the English physician” Culpeper wrote “ special good for ruptures and broken bone; yea it is said to be so powerful to consolidate and knit together, that if they be boiled with dissevered pieces of flesh in a pot, it will join them

together again”. He also recommended it for sore breasts and hemorrhoids, for which purposes it is still used by the pharmaceutical industry today, but in a synthesized form.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION: S. officinale- stout bristle haired perennial with thick mucilaginous roots and large tapering, ovate leaves. Purple to white funnel-shaped flowers are born in summer.

S. uplandicum- hybrid between S. officinale and S. asperum, similar in appearance to the former. It is extremely vigorous with a thick rhizome and pink flowers that tend to turn blue as they age. ( height-2m spread-1m) - this is the variety recommended for fodder and green manure crop as it has the highest concentration of protein and allantoin and is more rust-resistant.

TYPE: PERENNIAL HEIGHT: 60CM-1.2M SPREAD: 30-60CM HARDINESS ZONES: 4-9

HABITAT: Native to Europe and Asia. Naturalized in North America. Likes rich wet meadows and ditches, prefers moist to wet soil in sun or partial shade.

PROPAGATION: By seed sown in spring or autumn-species only or by division in spring or autumn-propogates from the smallest piece of root. Comfrey can be invasive and deep rooted and difficult to eradicate when established.

PARTS USED: leaves, roots and rhizomes

HARVEST: Fresh young leaves can be harvested any time and used fresh or dried at 20c in a shaded or dark location. Roots are harvested in spring or fall , split and dry at 40-60c.

CONSTITUENTS: allantoin-soothing and wound healing

mucilage-muco-polysaccharide-demulcent

pyrrolizidine alkaloids-usually absent from dried herbs phenolic acids-including rosmarinic(anti-inflammatory)

beta sitosters-active against experimental cancer lines- especially lung carcinoma

tannins-astringent

starch-helps animals gain weight

NUTRIENTS: large amount of minerals and vitamins

b1-thiamin

b2-riboflavin

pantothenic acid

b12-cyanocobalamine

vit. A, vit. C, vit. E

about 35% protein, dry weight, equivalent to soybeans

great addition to the compost pile.

PROPERTIES: demulcent, astringent, anti-inflammatory, expectorant-esp for pulmonary complaints, vulnerary-cell proliferation, speeds up rate of healing, sedative-for gastric irritation

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INDICATIONS: wounds and injuries of any part

coughs-best healer or respiratory system, esp. if hemorrhage is present

poultice or fomentation for any type of wound or injury

bloody, purulent discharges

* A cell proliferant producing healing of any part of the body in about half the normal time-examples: wounds, bones, skin or mucosae. Apply topically and take internally(see contraindication)

colitis etc. as demulcent and vulnerary

for wound closing and vulnerary as an astringent. fluid extract poured on wound will avoid stitches.

cancer-traditionally used for lung cancer-beta sitoseral)

water extracts generally antineoplastic (tumor reducers)

varicose veins.

DOSAGE: INFUSION- from fresh or dried leaves-for respiratory problems 2tablepoons fresh or 1 tablespoon dried/ cup water allow to steep for 15 minutes and drink as needed.

DECOCTION-from fresh or dried root-for digestive problems

DRIED ROOT- 1-3 teaspoons per cup of water. Simmer 15 minutes. Drink 3 cupfuls per day

POULTICE/FOMENTATION: made from leaves or minced root-soak briefly in boiling water before pounding to a pulp to remove hairs soften. Also good as a facial mask as it

improves the skin cells.

CREAM- can be made using the liquid extract which can be done by making a strong infusion(leaf)/deocotion(root)- use just enough water to cover herb, strain and replace water portion of basic cream recipe with strained infusion/decoction. (Infused oil can also

be made using the leaves-replace oil portion of recipe instead)

OTHER USES: Russian comfrey is commonly mixed in with animal feed along with hops(which is useful as a good general tonic).-best used dried. Also very beneficial as a green manure crop or added to compost either fresh or dried.

COMBINATIONS: for chest and bronchial problems-coltsfoot (Tilago farfara),)elecampane (Inula helenium), white horehound (Marrubium vulgare)

for wound healing- calendula (Calendula officinalis).

CONTRAINDICATIONS/WARNINGS: Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which are hepatotoxic, and can cause fatal veno-occulsive disease of the liver. Russian comfrey is carcinogenic to rats in low doses-0.5% to 8% of diet, but is also anticarcinogenic. The S. officinale is less toxic than the S. uplandicum although only two possible fatalities have ever been recorded in humans. These characteristics are usually absent from the dried herb. This plant has a long historical use.

*THE INTERNAL CONSUMPTION OF COMFREY MAY BE PROHIBITED BY LAW.*

KETTLEBY HERB FARMS@1997 970316CO

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