I just recently started growing comfrey a few years ago. Its been one of the best plants I’ve ever grown. It’s hardy; easily handling both the harsh Midwest winters and also my summer time neglect. I use it in hand made skin care products for my family and also my garden. Plus, it blooms all summer long, attracting happy bumble bees that move on to pollinate my vegetable garden. Besides, the Renaissance Man likes flowers.
History and Folklore
Comfrey has been used for healing since about 400 BCE. It was used by Greek and Roman physicians to stop heavy bleeding as well as treat wounds and broken bones. Pliny the Elder first referenced comfrey in his work, Naturalis Historia. He wrote that comfrey is used in the treatment of bruises and sprains.
Comfrey was also mentioned by Nicholas Culpepper in his work, The English Physitian.
He wrote: “It is said to be so powerful to consolidate and knit together; that if they be boyled with dissevered pieces of flesh in a pot, it will join them together again, and a Syrup made thereof is very effectual for all those inward Griefs and Hurts; … and for outward Wounds and Sores in the Fleshy or Sinewy part of the Body whatsoever … A Decoction of the Leaves hereof is available to al the purposes, though not so effectual as the Roots.”
Technical Stuff
Common Comfrey has the scientific name of Syphytum officinale. The word symphytum comes from the Greek word meaning grow together
Comfrey is native to Europe and Asia. European settlers brought the plant to the Americas. It is a member of the borage family.
Other Names: Knitbone, Knitback, boneset, blackwort, slipperyroot
Growing guide
Comfrey is a very leafy perennial, it has large hairy leaves growing about 12 inches high. The central stem shoots up ab out 3 feet high and has clusters of bell shaped flowers. In the first year, cut the flowers off before they bloom so it can put more energy into the tap root. The tap root grows deep, pulling nutrients and water from deep in the earth.
The plant prefers cooler temperatures and can survive winters down to -40. Comfrey prefers full sun but might need some shade in hotter climates. It gets a little wilty during the hottest time of the day but perks back up as night falls.
Soil should be rich but she will tolerate less. Fertilize occasionally and water often if it doesn’t rain. Comfrey prefers moist soil.
Propagation
Most gardeners propagated comfrey by root cuttings planted in the spring. They inter those cuttings in 2-4 inches of rich soil. Plant about 2 feet apart. Seriously, they look small but they get pretty big pretty fast.
I planted mine from seed. This was fun. Comfrey seeds need cold stratification. That means the seeds themselves need to be cold for a while before they will germinate. In other words, I put the seeds in a damp paper towel and then in a plastic bag and put it in my refrigerator for a month before I started them in seed trays.
Once they were a few inches tall and sprouting a few leaves, I put them in the ground. Unfortunately I planted them way too close together (6 inches instead of 2 feet). They just looks so vulnerable in all that dirt. I ended up having to transplant about half of them later in the summer.
I also learned to cut the flower heads off before they go to seed because if left over winter, they will sprout new plants all over.
Harvesting
The first harvest should be done before it blooms in spring. It is believed that the leaves are the most potent at that time. The more you harvest the more it grows. I trim back my plants every week or so. I save the nicest leaves to dry for later use and chop the rest up to add to the compost pile.
Fresh, or I should say wilted, bruised and chopped up comfrey is great for activating the microbes in a compost pile. Comfrey is often compared to animal manure in gardening circles. Comfrey has almost as much immediate nutrients it can offer plants as animal manure. Add it straight to garden beds in the fall and by spring its nutrients will be ready for your seedlings
Alternately you can powder your dry leaves and add that to your garden beds two weeks before planting. A little powder goes a long way.
Preserving
After picking the best looking leaves, I rinse them and lay them to dry on trays. I don’t use heat. I just leave them on the kitchen table for a day or so. They don’t lay flat and tend to curl more as the dry. They are very brittle when completely dry. I still chop them smaller and store them in a glass jar.
Medicinal and Nutritional
Comfrey has a lot of medicinal uses. Most of those uses are topical, however, it can be taken internally in small doses for a short amounts of time. Comfrey contains allantoin, a chemical found in human breast milk that encourages cell production. It is believed to help speed up healing of broken bones and injuries. I imagine that’s where the name knitbone came from. Please seek the advice of a certified herbalist before using comfrey internally.
Comfrey can cause liver damage when consumed in excess. The symptoms are similar to that caused by excessive consumption of Tylenol and will lead to a very long and painful death. The roots have a higher concentration of these toxic alkaloids than the leaves.
It’s so serious that in 2008, the FDA banned the use of comfrey in herbal supplements due to its toxicity to the liver and possible cancer-causing properties.
On a brighter note; Comfrey also had a high mucilage content that is beneficial to the skin. It is used in salves for burns, bruising, abrasions and other topical issues. Don’t use on puncture wounds. It will encourage the skin to heal before the deeper part of the wound which could lead to an abscess.
Comfrey can also be used in poultices for breaks, sprains and to reduce swelling from any cause.
To use in salves, steep 1/4 cup of dried comfrey leaf in 1/2 cup of oil, preferably one that is good for skin such as unrefined coconut oil or jojoba oil. Keep on low heat for 20-30 minutes then strain out the leaves with cheesecloth or a coffee filter. Use the oil to make a salve or ointment. These kinds of salves are usually good for one year.
Magical Uses
- Use comfrey as protective magic while traveling.
- Put a leaf in your luggage to make sure its not lost or stolen.
- Add leaves or roots in a car charm or a protective sachet to keep in your car.
- Wrap your money in a comfrey leaf for a few days before you go to the casino or poker game to keep you bets coming back to you
- Use in bathing rituals to relax and cleanse you, its especially good for healing or love spells.
- Substitute the flowers for borage flowers in spells.
- Infuse your healing salves and lotions with healing and protective intentions for a magical boost.
I hope you get the chance to grow comfrey and reap the rewards and satisfaction of your harvest. If you don’t have the time or space to grow your own comfrey, I do offer dried leaves in our Etsy shop.
If you’re looking for seeds or root cuttings, I highly recommend Strictly Medicinal Seeds. I got my comfrey seeds from them and you know how I feel about those babies.
Check out our Book of Shadows page to download a copy of the magical properties and uses of Comfrey.
Disclaimer: All information herein is from traditional or historical reference and intended to help you make an informed decision. No herbal product is intended as a substitute for competent medical care.
