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From last month: Comfrey (Symphytum officinale), has been cultivated for medicinal purposes since around 400 BC. It has healing properties still recognized by even those who condemn the herb.

As I mentioned last month, comfrey is hardy in zones 4a to 9b and as a forage crop it is a dynamic accumulator. That means that when tilled into the soil, it releases certain nutrients accumulated during its growing cycle. Among these nutrients are silicon (Si), nitrogen (N), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), potassium (K) and iron (Fe). Comfrey is fast-growing and benefits from side-dressing with animal manure high in nitrogen.

If you grow comfrey and you think it’s getting out-of-hand, use it to your advantage in your garden. It has tremendous values for the organic gardener. The leaves are beneficial as a side-dressing for other plants. Freshly cut and wilted leaves can be laid around potato plants in 2-3 inch layers. As they decompose, they release high amounts of potassium.

The leaves can also be layered around tomato plants and flowering ornamental annuals and perennials.

Use comfrey leaves as a compost activator. As the leaves breakdown they encourage beneficial bacteria growth in the compost heap; cutting down on the offensive sewage-like odor that sometimes emits from the decomposing organic matter.

Remember to use only the leaves and not the stems as they may root and take over your planting projects or compost pile.

Comfrey has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries; treating everything from sore throats and bronchial problems to bruises and broken bones.

Allantoin is one of the chemical compounds contained in comfrey. Allantoin speeds up natural cell growth in humans and other mammals making comfrey useful in treating some topical wounds. Other alleged benefits are healing gastric ulcers, sprains, acne, burns and relieving menstrual cramps.

Comfrey also contains hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids which can cause liver failure if taken internally. This is one of the reasons the FDA issued a warning back in 2001 against the internal usage of any herbal supplement containing comfrey. Dietary supplements and teas containing comfrey have been banned in Canada, Sweden, Germany and Australia due to their potential harmful nature. Organ failure and cancer have been detected in lab rats. Use this information wisely.

Thanks for reading!

If you have any questions about other uses for (herb here), email me at farmerht@yahoo.com and I’ll tell you all I know. As always, check with an expert, such as your doctor, before using this or any other herbal remedy.