Comfrey(Symphytum officinale) is an extremely valuable perennial from the borage family already known in antiquity. In natural sites it can be found almost all over Europe. Comfrey is easy to grow, and the valuablehealing properties of comfreymade it useful in medicine and cosmetics. Learn about the benefits andways to use comfreyand learn how to grow it. We also provide proven recipes for horticultural comfrey preparations - slurry, extract and stock.
Comfrey - Symphytum officinale
Fig. depositphotos.com
Comfrey - description
"Comfrey is a perennialwith lilac, bell-shaped flowers and large, oval leaves, growing up to 1 m in height. It blooms between April and May. Its erect, angular stem is roughly hairy and hollow. The Polish name of comfrey comes from the words: living bone, because compresses from this plant were supposed to accelerate bone fusion. In Poland,comfrey grows commonlyon the banks of water, near ditches and canals, and on wet meadows. "
Comfrey - properties and application
Comfrey is usedmainly as a medicinal plant. In herbal medicine, comfrey root and its herb are mainly used. In its composition, the root contains mucilages, tannins, allantoin, mineral s alts, pectins, resins, sugars, organic acids, choline, glycosides and highly poisonous pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
Comfrey was traditionally usedas compresses for bruises, wounds and fractures, because due to the content of allantoin, which stimulates tissue regeneration, it accelerates the healing of wounds, ulcers and burns. Currently in Polandcomfrey is used almost exclusively externallydue to suspicion of carcinogenic properties.
Comfrey ointment
Fig. depositphotos.com
The healing properties of comfrey are also used in cosmetics . Due to its soothing and regenerating effect, comfrey is a component of many care creams for sensitive, acne-prone skin and weakened hair.
Due to its decorative appearance,Comfrey can also be used as an ornamental plantIt works great in groups in flowerbeds or as a ground cover. The comfrey variety 'Goldsmith' is perfect for this.Also noteworthy aredecorative varieties of lichen :
- comfrey 'Aureum'with golden leaves,
- comfrey 'Argenteum'with white pattern leaves,
- comfrey 'Purpureum'with purple flowers.
Comfrey will work well as an ornamental plant when planted between trees and shrubs and next to fences.
In the past,comfrey was widely usedalso in the household, and recipes for salads, soups, jams or casseroles with Symphytum officinale leaves should also be included in the modern menu.
Comfrey is used in , mainly organic, crops to produce extremely valuable natural fertilizers and plant protection products. In May and June, we collect the whole plants with the roots, from whichwe can prepare a liquid manure, extract or stock Comfrey slurry is most often used in vegetables, especially such as peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, fruit bushes and trees, as well as ornamental plants.
Comfrey root
Fig. depositphotos.com
Comfrey dung
Toprepare comfrey slurry , pour 1 kg of herb with 10 liters of water and leave for 2-4 weeks. We dilute the finished slurry with water in a ratio of 1:10 and water the crops throughout the growing season to stimulate the growth of the plants. Spray the plants with the liquid manure diluted 1: 5 as a preventive measure or in case of aphid infestation.
Comfrey Extract
To prepare the comfrey extract1 kg of fresh herb or 150 g of dried herb, pour 10 liters of water and leave for 24 hours. We use comfrey extract for watering crops, as well as for spraying to supply the crops with potassium.
Comfrey decoction
Comfrey decoction is a natural insecticidethat can be used to combat, among others, honeysuckle and aphids. To prepare it, pour 1 kg of comfrey herb with 10 liters of water and leave it for 12 hours. Then cook for an hour over low heat, and after it has cooled down, you can use it for spraying.
Comfrey - Symphytum officinale
Fig. AnRo0002, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
Comfrey - cultivation and harvesting
Comfrey is an easy plant to growand has relatively low soil and light requirements. It grows best in moist clay-humus soils, close to water reservoirs, in a shady position. If we guarantee the plants sufficient hydration, cultivation can also be carried out in the sun.
Comfrey can be propagatedgeneratively through seeds, and also vegetatively through division and root cuttings.Varieties with decorative leaves should only be propagated vegetatively.
Before planting comfreyit is advisable to enrich the substrate with compost. It is worth remembering thatthe cultivation of comfrey requires a lot of spacedue to the size of this plant. There should be a distance of at least 50 cm between plants.
Comfrey for medicinal purposesis dug up (from crops or natural stands) in the fall in the second growing year or in spring in the third growing year. The underground organs are separated, cleaned of leaf debris, single he althy roots are cut off and dried at 40-50 ° C. Dry comfrey root - Radix Symphyti - should be stored in a dry and cool place.
Growing comfrey in the gardencan be challenging as it is an expansive plant that can spread through out of control over the entire area. Comfrey seeds are easily dispersed and subsequent plant removal can be difficult to accomplish.
Also in natural placesComfrey can be problematicWeeding root crops, due to their rapid development, is a lot of competition for water and ingredients. Its root system can damage the tubers, reducing their size and quality.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
