Comfrey
Symphytum officinale, L. .

Comfrey is a perennial with a stout spreading root. It grows to about 3 ft high and flowers in May - June. The root contains a large amount of mucilage (gelatinous substance) and is rich in easily assimilated organic calcium. Know exactly where you want it to be planted because should transplanting be required the smallest bit of root left behind will start a new plant.. This picture was taken May 8/99.

Medicinal Part: Roots and Leaves

Solvents: Water

Uses: One of comfrey's constituents actually causes cells to proliferate, hence Comfrey's nickname, knitbone is highly appropriate. Comfrey helps heal broken bones, fractures and broken skin (try it on torn perineum after childbirth, using the fresh herb poultice daily) and it strengthens tendons, ruptured lungs and other delicate cells.
It is taken internally and applied externally for these conditions.
Because comfrey has the highest mucilage content of any herb, it is very moistening and lubricating. It soothes burns, inflammations and other skin irritations, psoriasis, eczema, ulcers, healing wounds and varicose veins and draws the poisons from boils and insect bites or stings.
A wonderful herb for the lungs, comfrey's cooling moistening effects heal bronchitis, tonsilitis, pharyngitis, pleurisy, pneumonia and consumption and coughs, including whooping cough; they also expel phlegm, sooth the throat, lower fever and, overall rejuvenate the lungs and mucous membranes.

Dose: Infuse the leaves, decoct root 1 ounce to 1 pint water;
Acute- drink ½ to 1 cup tea/hour until condition lessens, then drink 2 cups/day until the problem is gone.
Other- drink 3 cups 3 times/day p 10-30 drops tincture; leaves 3-9 gm, root 6-15 gm in formula.
Comfrey also stops bleeding from the stomach, lungs, bowels, kidneys, ulcers and piles. For this take a strong decoction of the root using ½ to 1 ounce of root every 2 hours until the bleeding stops.

Precautions: Because of its pyrrolizidine alkaloids, it should be avoided in pregnancy, nursing, for prolonged use in children and liver disease.