- This topic has 41 replies, 29 voices, and was last updated 1 month ago by .
-
Posts
-
-
mantheymw@hotmail.com
I’m posting mostly to get practice at using the forum, but I needed to say something so I decided to expound upon why I love comfrey.
Comfrey is super easy to grow, at least in the Willamette Valley, but most things are easy to grow here. It is a great medicinal, whether for its mucilage or its amazing ability to speed healing. It is also a fabulous compost starter and makes a very good fertilizer on its own.
I’ll keep this short, but if you have other reasons you love comfrey, I’d enjoy hearing how you use it.
6 users thanked author for this post.
-
Rebecca Van Wyk
I’m posting a reply for practice as well. I just made some comfrey fertilizer for my house plants and am not sure how long to let my infusion set before starting to use it. Thoughts?
1 user thanked author for this post.
-
Dr. Patrick Jones
if you ground the comfrey up first, it’ll be ready in a couuple of days. If you have big root chunks, let it sit a couple of weeks.
Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.
5 users thanked author for this post.
-
Kelly Benjamin
New to this as well. I just discovered the amazing uses of comfrey. I got dried herb and plan to make a tincture
Kelly Benjamin - Herbalist
-
Herica Stewart
I’m also new, Hi! 😀 I’m in southern AZ. Its Hot :-/ I decided to give comfrey a try this year. This is my second year with my garden. My fear was that comfrey would’t be able to take the heat. To my surprise its doing super well, provided shade and irrigation and voila. As to how to use it exactly I’m about to learn thanks to you all.
Herica S
2 users thanked author for this post.
-
MercyS
Hi, Herica! I’m also in Southern AZ, actually in Catalina, just north of Tucson. What neck of the AZ woods are you located in? I just harvested some more comfrey this morning – I have started it a year or two ago, and it is absolutely taking over! I can’t keep up with it. Have it under several of our fruit trees, also some in the greenhouse – I have some problems with my knee and my wrist, and I’m going to infuse some oil, and make some salve with the comfrey and see if that helps those things to heal.
1 user thanked author for this post.
-
Hi Mercy, That’s wonderful! I’m in Saint David AZ. East of Tombstone. I bought 3 cuttings at the end of this past winter and they all took. Transplanted them in my garden under the shade of the mesquite trees and the are HUGE now 😀 I’m learning how to use it and everything it does. My Chickens love it! I have the Russian kind the leaves are immense XD.I had loss my internet company 3 weeks ago 🙁 my apologies for the delay in replaying. I hope this wonderful herb helps you heal and you get better soon.
-
-
-
-
I’m posting mostly to get practice at using the forum, but I needed to say something so I decided to expound upon why I love comfrey.
Comfrey is super easy to grow, at least in the Willamette Valley, but most things are easy to grow here. It is a great medicinal, whether for its mucilage or its amazing ability to speed healing. It is also a fabulous compost starter and makes a very good fertilizer on its own.
I’ll keep this short, but if you have other reasons you love comfrey, I’d enjoy hearing how you use it.
Practiced clicking on “Thanks” and “Quote” – appreciated your comments!
-
Joanne Harrison
I just planted some roots this summer of Russian non fertile kind and almost all of them came up by September. I cant wait to see what they do in cold Canada! I am looking forward to using them for medicine and fertilizer.
-
Michelle Koch
I use comfrey root lotion daily – several times daily. In fact, I simply mixed comfrey root tincture into a bottle of “extra intense healing” store-bought lotion, shook it up, and use it like that! It’s awesome. When I need some serious mucilage though, I have some comfrey root tincture that I apply “neat,” and that’s pretty awesome too. It’s like pouring on a drop of maple syrup, it’s so rich and thick. But it gets the job done.
1 user thanked author for this post.
-
Tania Kanavas
Comfrey is one of God’s beautiful healers. It was used in the wars for wound healing. It is beneficial for lung conditions. I know it knits cancerous bones such as in bone cancer.
2 users thanked author for this post.
-
I use comfrey fresh – Symphytum officinale. I get a fresh leaf and add it to my fresh fruit smoothie in the blender and drink it. I also get a few fresh leaves and mash them up in a blender with olive oil, enough to make for a week and stored in the fridge to give to the dogs with their daily meal.
1 user thanked author for this post.
-
Hi Tania,
What are the benefits for your dogs of using a comfrey oil internally? I have kitties that have some issues and am looking for things to bolster their systems since visits to the vet have not helped identify what is “wrong”. I can’t keep going back for inaccurate or non-diagnosis. The approach I’m taking now is trying to support their health/immune systems as much as possible to see if their amazing little God-given bodies can take care of their issues.
-
This reply was modified 1 year, 6 months ago by
mantheymw@hotmail.com.
-
This reply was modified 1 year, 6 months ago by
-
Julie Robinson
Brilliant idea. I will start doing that for my dog. Thank you.
-
-
Robbin Glass
I have heard and read much about Comrey but have never used it. I just planted some comfrey seeds. Does anyone have any experience with starting from seed?
-
Sorry no I don’t. I know you can propagate by root too, just plant a small chunk.
-
Brenda Lane
Thought I would post for the first time here. I started a plant from seed. They need to be refrigerated for about 3 weeks first. Although I did start one without doing that! I’m excited to grow some. There are so many wonderful things that it does.
-
I’ve started it from seed…and it has started itself from seed. I recommend the RUssian comfrey that can’t spread by seed or it’ll take over your place.
Have a look at the comfrey lesson for more info: https://homesteadacademy.com/courses/homegrown-herbalist/sections/individual-plants-monographs-videos/lessons/comfrey-monograph/
Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.
2 users thanked author for this post.
-
-
mesonyx
I’m posting mostly to get practice at using the forum, but I needed to say something so I decided to expound upon why I love comfrey.
Comfrey is super easy to grow, at least in the Willamette Valley, but most things are easy to grow here. It is a great medicinal, whether for its mucilage or its amazing ability to speed healing. It is also a fabulous compost starter and makes a very good fertilizer on its own.
I’ll keep this short, but if you have other reasons you love comfrey, I’d enjoy hearing how you use it.
curiosity question. I was wondering what herbs that will absolutely not work in north central Florida just outside Ocala zone 9a but have seen the temps low as have seen 8a temps. I know the soil thing been working on soil a few years its not beach sand anymore lol!! anywho sorry if posted in wrong spot just joined course thanks.
-
Barbara Kerbs
Comfrey was the first medicinal I planted. Love its healing power. Great info in your post.
Barb Kerbs
-
-
Kathleen Whimpey
Comfrey is the first herb that I have planted as well. I received a root cutting from a friend, unfortunately this was before I knew about the infertile variety. So I assume comfrey will take over my property. But once I have harvested all the medicine I need, it will be good green mulch.
I was also pleasantly surprised to learn about Hound’s Tongue from Doc’s book, and realize it was growing quite a lot on my property. A close cousin to Comfrey, I’m excited to use it (only topically) while my comfrey gets established. Fun to read your thoughts and experiences, thanks to all!
-
This reply was modified 2 years, 1 month ago by
Kathleen Whimpey.
-
This reply was modified 2 years, 1 month ago by
-
Karen Romine
I also have planted comfrey from seed. I did so in a raised bed, but it now is on the ground around the bed and has basically tried to take over the entire bed. I have just pulled it up like a weed to keep it under control.
-
Meladee Williams
When you pulled the comfrey up did it come back? I have heard that the roots are very long so you can never get rid of them. Is that true? I just planted my comfrey this season and I do not want it to go away but it is always good to know.
-
Hi Meladee
I grew comfrey in a couple of small pots for a number of years which died because I forgot to water. I then put a couple of purchased seedlings into the ground. After a number of years, I am not sure 5, or 8 years, the roots started spreading and I was growing comfrey outside the garden bed. I also noticed a few new comfrey seedlings growing nearby which I did not plant. It is a good idea now and then to keep an eye on it. At the moment the comfrey outside the bed is not big otherwise I will have to try and dig the roots out again. I add fresh comfrey leaves in my smoothie to drink which I blend. I also sighted a book which includes comfrey as a main ingredient in green health drinks. I am wondering if I planted other plants surrounding each comfrey plant, I wonder if that would contain its spreading. I will try that soon.
-
This reply was modified 2 years ago by
Tania Kanavas.
-
This reply was modified 2 years ago by
-
I forgot to mention, someone I know who cuts fresh roots : he gets a spade and cuts around the plant into the ground about a spade depth, and then cuts under to get the plant and some of the roots completely out. Having taken this out of the ground, he cuts the amount of fresh root he needs, and then plants it back into the same position. He does this successfully with the same plant over and over again. The plant continues to thrive.
1 user thanked author for this post.
-
I forgot to mention, someone I know who cuts fresh roots : he gets a spade and cuts around the plant into the ground about a spade depth, and then cuts under to get the plant and some of the roots completely out. Having taken this out of the ground, he cuts the amount of fresh root he needs, and then plants the remainder back into the same garden position. He does this successfully with the same plant over and over again. The plant continues to thrive.
Also, in the warmer months when there are lots of leaves, I cut the fresh leaves and dry them in a dehydrator – so I can have comfrey leaves in winter too for my smoothies.
-
This reply was modified 2 years ago by
-
This reply was modified 2 years ago by
-
-
-
Belinda K Foreman
Comfrey is my spirit plant. Over the years I have learned about its properties and how to care for it and love it even more. I am currently on the Banyan Farm in Oregon for a 10 week Living Ayurveda Internship and plan to bring a plant home to get started. This is what I learned from my own research as well as from the farmers here:
- Comfrey is hard to kill, almost impossible. If you dig it up, any remaining root parts will create another plant
- It will take over the garden so be careful where you place her
- It is a great fertilizer and can be cut and used as mulch as well!!
- It is also an amazing healer and I look forward to learning more about it through the lessons.
Look forward to learning with all of you!
-
Michelle Newcomb
I’ve heard it takes over but mine seems to be growing slowing. Just planted starts at the beginning of June that I got from a farmers market and they don’t seem much different. Is this just because of the shock of transplanting or should I do something to them to help them here at the beginning?
-
Hi Michelle,
Like most plants, comfrey needs to “get its roots” before it begins to explode above ground, but it will get its roots and it should then give you abundant greenery. I have the sterile Russian comfrey, but after a number of years I noticed it is sending up baby plants from its roots. I do not mind that as I would be happy to have several more plants than the three I have currently established.
I have heard the true comfrey takes over, but some got started at our rental (which made me nervous) and three years later I just see a plant here or there each year. The variety that volunteered over there does have white spots on the leaves, so maybe it is a different, less aggressive variety.
-
Mary Russell
I watch a video lately, on comfrey identification. The lady compared a look-alike plant to comfrey. The look-alike plant had white dots. It was not comfrey.
YouTube – Parkrose Permaculture – How to tell Comfrey from a look-alike invasive species
-
-
-
wendibird101
Comfrey poultices helped heal my broken ankle (dried herbs blended with water applied twice daily and wrapped in plastic wrap). The doctor was surprised that I healed so well and so quickly. It’s an amazing herb.
1 user thanked author for this post.
-
Teresa Breeden
I’ve gotten several comfrey starts from a friend of mine over the years, but they don’t seem very happy here. I’ll keep trying new spots until, hopefully, I have the problem others have in keeping it under control 🙂
-
TimberBakery
Comfrey is so productive that I’ve been able to make friends very happy because I have plenty to share! And I have traded it for herbs I am not currently growing.
1 user thanked author for this post.
-
Amanda Norris
I have been amazed at the healing power of comfrey. I have been making a comfrey and plantain salve for several years. Last year, I bought a chicken from someone locally. I didnt know until I got her home that she had a horrible case of flystrike. Maggots had eaten a hole the size of a quarter over a half inch deep above her vent. I cleaned it out as best I could but then i was left with a gaping raw wound! I didnt know what to do for her, but I knew if flies got to it, she would be in even worse shape. I grabbed my comfrey salve and packed the wound full of it…. didnt want to leave any exposed flesh! I packed it again a few times a day. Within 4 days the wound was beginning to look much better. the skin was no longer raw and the hole was getting smaller. by day 15, you could not even tell there had been a wound there!
2 users thanked author for this post.
-
That’s an amazing testimony, Amanda! Thanks for sharing that experience with the rest of us. 🙂
1 user thanked author for this post.
-
-
Darci Reeser
Planted comfrey for the first time this year. Looking forward to learning to use it.
1 user thanked author for this post.
-
AgnesRose
I live at elevation 8500 and my grow season it short. The comfrey we planted is in it’s 3rd year! I bought it from COES COMFREY, Bocking #4 strain Symphytum Peregrinum. I was wondering if this is as good as the #14 strain? It is hardy, it has taken beatings from the wind, hail and the chickens who love it dearly.
-
I am just submitting this to get used to using the forum but I actually have a story of the amazing benefits of comfrey. I had a riding accident when I was in my teens and I was visiting my godparents in Africa. I had torn all the tendons in my ankle which was very swollen and painful. They wrapped my ankle and foot in fresh comfrey leaves although I wouldn’t let them wrap around my toes as I found the leaves unbearably itchy. The next day I had no bruising around my ankle, although it was still swollen. My toes however were like grapes and were deep purple from the bruising. There were even clean demarcation lines where the leaf wrap finished and the bruising began.
1 user thanked author for this post.
-
Heather Clark
Last year I started comfrey from seed. Had 3 plants. Planted them in the yard and I haven’t seen them yet this year so. Hopefully it will
grow back. Any suggestions on where to plant for them to grow? Just in case they don’t come back. thanks
-
Comfrey loves to live under your trees! I plant it in the tree wells of my fruit trees, it gets watered along with them, and is very happy there! If I don’t need to use it for medicine, I just chop and drop it right where it grows and the leaves provide wonderful mulch/compost for your fruit trees.
-
-
Darlene Norris
Comfrey is an amazing herb. In fact, I have a comfrey poultice on my knee right now! I managed to booger it up somehow. I’ve been using hops tincture on it for the pain, and also wintergreen essential oil. Both are helpful, but I haven’t seen much improvement for healing. Watched a video the other night on YouTube by Doc Jones, and remembered I had comfrey growing in my garden, so now I’m giving that a try. It will heal eventually, but I’d like it to be sooner rather than later, so I’ll see how the comfrey works. I’ll be making a tincture as soon as I go to the store and buy some more vodka, but this should help in the meantime.
-
Tammy Kidney
I grow comfrey too. My first experience was a couple years ago when my husband broke his hip. I applied a comfrey salve to it several times a day, and the orthopedist was impressed with the healing time. Most recently, I used it to help heal my knee, when I tore the PCL and meniscus back in January. Though the healing has been slow, it was definitely better than had I not used the herbs. And I was able to opt out of surgery. I occasionally throw the chickens some comfrey for the minerals. I make a comfrey composting tea with it for my garden, and of course, I chop and drop around the fruit trees.
-
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.