Latin Name: Symphytum officinale
Herb Class/Action: Comfrey is classified as a vulnerary, demulcent, astringent, and cell proliferant.
Parts of Plant Used: The leaves and roots of the comfrey plant are used for medicinal purposes.
Flavors: Comfrey has a slightly bitter and mucilaginous flavor.
Energetics: Comfrey is energetically cooling and moistening.
Medicinal Properties:
- Wound Healing: Comfrey is renowned for its ability to speed up wound healing and promote tissue regeneration. It contains allantoin, a compound that stimulates cell proliferation and accelerates the healing process.
- Bone and Muscle Support: Comfrey is traditionally used topically to relieve pain and inflammation associated with bruises, sprains, strains, and fractures. It helps soothe sore muscles and promote faster recovery.
- Digestive Health: Comfrey has demulcent properties, meaning it forms a soothing, protective coating over inflamed mucous membranes in the digestive tract. It can help relieve symptoms of gastritis, ulcers, and other gastrointestinal conditions.
In the Garden: Comfrey is a perennial herb that prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial shade. It produces large, hairy leaves and clusters of bell-shaped purple, pink, or white flowers. Comfrey is valued in permaculture and organic gardening for its deep taproot, which mines nutrients from the soil and accumulates them in its leaves. It can be grown as a companion plant to attract beneficial insects and improve soil fertility.
Culinary Uses: While comfrey has historically been used as a culinary herb, it is not recommended for internal consumption due to the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can be toxic to the liver in large amounts.
Precautions: Comfrey should only be used externally and should not be applied to open wounds or broken skin. Prolonged or excessive use of comfrey can lead to liver damage due to its pyrrolizidine alkaloid content. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid using comfrey internally or externally. Additionally, individuals with liver disease or compromised liver function should avoid comfrey altogether.
This comprehensive glossary entry provides information on the Latin name, herb class/action, parts used, flavors, energetic properties, traditional benefits, cultivation, culinary uses, and precautions associated with Comfrey.
