It is essential to understand which variety you have or wish to purchase. purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/comfrey.html). The primary comfrey cultivars available today are the result of Hills research at Bocking in Essex, England, which led to the development of strains of Russian comfrey (Symphytum uplandicum, referred to as S. peregrinum in Hills book) designated as varieties Bocking 1 through Bocking 21. You take them at your own risk. More Affiliate Policy. due to its analgesic properties. I really like the 'witch' aspect too! However, oral consumption and long-term use of comfrey are not recommended as it contains toxic compounds called pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Also, never apply comfrey cream on open wounds. ECHO Development Notes no. Comfrey liquid feed is so good as a fertilizer because it belongs to a group of plants that is a dynamic accumulator. Pick a handful of leaves. The plant contains the small organic molecule allantoin, which is thought to stimulate cell growth and repair while simultaneously depressing inflammation. They are not glossy, but rather dry feeling like soft paper and they tear easily. Otherwise known as comfrey tea. As Alys Fowler explains: Comfrey is rich in potassium (K), which is required for fruit production, and also contains potash (P) and nitrogen (N). If the high-yielding Bocking 14 strain of comfrey is planted, 30 plants spaced at 3 feet by 3 feet (for example, six plants by five plants) will yield enough comfrey to feed 12 birds their entire allotment of green plant matter. When using topical comfrey, be extremely cautious so that it does not get into your mouth. In women experiencing anxiety in menopause, kava has worked in as little as one week, according to the National Institutes of Health. As shown before, a lot of indoor plants are not safe for your bird. I used 5kg of comfrey to 25 litres of water These bioactive chemical compounds are antioxidants found in plants and are thought to be good for human health. They are all accumulators and will provide you with the nutrition your plants require in the garden. Young comfrey leaves, without any coarse stems, can be fed to a sow with many piglets. Leaves can typically be cut six to eight times per year. Uncertain potential for silage. "Some people think herbal supplements really work but that they are harmless," but if it acts like a drug in the body, then it can also have a negative effect, says Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD, an expert on medicinal herbs and dietary supplements and a professor at Georgetown University School of Medicine. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! Since most animals will not graze comfrey, but will eat the leaves once they are wilted, it is a good option to cut and carry. Hills shared insights from many farmers who have grown comfrey. CL holds products to standards set by the state of California, which are more stringent than the FDA's standards, Cooperman says. Cattle. However, not all Comfrey is identical. "Heavy kava use has been linked to nerve damage and skin changes," Weil tells WebMD. These scents mask potential food sources and irritate a gophers senses. Weil only recommends kava for a maximum of three to four weeks in patients with healthy livers. They also have different colors of flowers, and it is good to promote flowers as the bees use these as a pollen source. Pigs. It promotes wound healing by stimulating the fibroblastsi XLarge, flat, elongated cells that contribute to the formation of connective tissue, and secrete collagen. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. To save this word, you'll need to log in. Monk Fruit: Nutrition, Benefits, And Side Monk Fruit: Nutrition, Benefits, And Side Effects, Seitan Nutrition Benefits, Side Effects, & How To Make It, 13 Borage Oil Benefits And Possible Side Effects, 5 Benefits Of Allantoin For Skin, How To Use, & Side Effects, 11 Impressive Health Benefits Of Mullein Tea + How To Make, 4 Benefits Of Arnica, How To Use It, Dosage, & Side Effects, 10 Home Remedies For Rosacea That Prevent Redness On The Skin. But does natural always mean safe? What does comfrey taste like? current server time (not your local time) is, The Berry Grower: Small Scale Organic Fruit Production in the 21st Century, https://permies.com/t/177901/Permaculture-Playing-Cards-Poster, Comfrey - Symphytum Officinale - detailed plant profile, Comfrey -- believe the hype! Potential for weediness. Place the jar in a warm and sunny location for the first few days, and then move it to a dark location like a cupboard. Much easier to stack and I'm hoping to grow quite a lot of comfrey this year Good idea! A detailed post on using comfrey for fertility in a market garden. Comfrey contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (toxic compounds) and may cause liver damage, liver cancer, and death. The toxic alkaloids present may lead to liver damage in dogs. Russian comfrey has high potential for the small farm, provided that it is kept clean, cut and fed. He shared, The important things to note are: Comfrey is very vigorous and can be harvested up to four times each year. One article stressed that plants should not be allowed to become hard and woody. Comfrey benefits can be attributed to its phytochemicalsi XThese bioactive chemical compounds are antioxidants found in plants and are thought to be good for human health. Comfrey is a shrub that grows in parts of Europe, Asia, and North America. It can grow up to 5 feet tall. It produces clusters of purple, blue, and white flowers, and its famous for its long, slender leaves and black-skinned roots. The root and leaves of the comfrey plant have been used in traditional medicine in many parts of the world. The Greeks and Romans commonly used comfrey to stop heavy bleeding, treat Keep it cut. It is an inexpensive way to produce fertilizer. The flesh of chickens that have been fed comfrey also ends up being more yellow, perhaps because of increased vitamin A content. Comfrey leaves are placed into a setup pipe, and a weight is placed above. A third option (one that I read about online) is to build a hot compost pile directly on top of the comfrey plant that you wish to remove. purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/comfrey.html)..) Lay the cuttings flat and cover with 2 inches of soil. Plant comfrey close to where it will be fed to animals (as cut-and-carry). It is FREE, and you can do that in the form below. But because of the risk for severe liver and possibly lung damage, "comfrey should never be taken by mouth," Weil says. Remind health care providers of any conditions you have and any prescription or over-the-counter medications you take. plant then stores this in its tuberous root, ways in which Comfrey can be used in the garden, you have no issues with it becoming invasive, Harvest the Comfrey leaves and place them in a bucket, Fill the bucket with water to barely cover the Comfrey, Place the lid on the bucket and put it behind the shed, Symphytum asperum prickly Comfrey, rough Comfrey. Comfrey is a perennial herb with a black, turnip-like root and large, hairy broad leaves that bears small bell-shaped flowers of various colours, typically cream or It was traditionally called knit bone by herbalists as it helps heals fractures. And yes, that was the science bit). According to the National Institutes of Health, pennyroyal oil is considered unsafe for anyone at any dose, and it is unknown whether the tea is safe. You can even grow it in partial shade as its deep taproots can sustain the plant. But there is not enough evidence that it helps with major depression. I use a small concrete paving slab, but a plastic lid weighted down with a brick will do just as well. You can harvest comfrey plants up to four times a year. That said, comfrey isnt fussy. Comfrey is a tall plant, and some varieties can reach five feet or more. Plants should be spaced two feet apart in each direction. It can be invasive, so be mindful when planting. I dont plant my comfrey all in one place. Instead, I put them around in various garden areas. Are you a fan of comfrey tea? Other experts have completely ruled kava out. The Truth Behind the Top 10 Dietary Supplements. Alternatively, comfrey can be used as a kind of instant compost. Four wheelbarrows of cut and wilted comfrey will produce three wheelbarrows of instant compost with no need to build or turn a compost pile. Apply it as a surface mulch, or incorporate it into the soil, depending on the crop. If you make the concentrated comfrey liquid feed from these perennial plants, it will last for around a year. (root, stem, leaf). StyleCraze believes in credibility and giving our readers access to authentic and evidence-based content. 2011 - 2023 IncNut Stylecraze Private Limited. Keep scrolling. Comfrey is palatable to cattle, and has also helped to correct loose stools. With its high levels of potash, comfrey tea can be used as an excellent fertilizer for tomato, pepper, cucumber and potato plants. There have been cases of unintended pregnancies in women taking St. John's wort and birth control pills and cases of organ rejection in those taking St John's wort with anti-rejection drugs after a transplant. 5 In a report from a Saskatchewan (Canada) farm, cows did not at first appear to like fresh forage, but ate it when it was slightly wilted. Allantoin has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce skin inflammation and calm irritated skin. The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings. The tea brewing process takes around 8 12 weeks, largely depending on the weather (the warmer, the quicker). Comfrey is a perennial herb with a black, turnip-like root and large, hairy broad leaves that bears small bell-shaped flowers of various colours, typically cream or purplish. "Herbals are the most likely of all supplements to contain contaminants," Cooperman says. A handout from FFF gives this advice about making comfrey tea: With its high levels of potash, comfrey tea can be used as an excellent fertilizer for tomato, pepper, cucumber and potato plants. All good tea needs a good teapot, in this case consisting of an inner and an outer container. You can then use the feed on your fruit bushes, fruit trees, courgettes, squashes, tomatoes, cucumbers etc. All varieties of Comfrey can be used in this way. 13 Home Remedies To Heal Leg Ulcers And Prevention Tips, effective than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, 14 Best Home Remedies To Relieve Knee Joint Pain Naturally, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501773/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3491633/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20877959/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18157595/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32683369/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6363250/, https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(17)30663-1/fulltext, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5774901/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25880800/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24048776/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3580139/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19460762/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16510384/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5894094/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15638067/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3259911/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18193693/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3753584/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6824629/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23728701/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22014903/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11276298/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30000832/, 10 Best Benefits Of Tomato Juice For Skin, Hair And Health, 19 Benefits Of Potato Juice For Your Skin And Health, 10 Dangerous Side Effects Of Peppermint Oil, 14 Side Effects Of Eating Too Many Bananas, 19 Amazing Benefits Of Fennel Seeds For Skin, Hair, And Health, Top 10 Wonderful Benefits Of Rosemary Tea, 7 Side Effects of Eating Too Many Almonds, 25 Best Benefits Of Barley (Jau) For Health, Skin, And Hair. What works for me is to get two buckets, fit one inside the other, drill out some holes in bottom of first, put my comfrey inside, place large stones on top then cover with lid. The high price often meant that only small plots were established, and they were often neglected. Allantoin is highest in comfrey stems up until a comfrey plant flowers. Chaparral (Larrea divaricata, Larrea tridentata) is said to reduce pain, inflammation, and skin irritation. and heavy enough that it wont be blown away in the wind. No stink or larvae. Strain the comfrey and use the liquid with 15 parts water to one part comfrey goo in your garden. and collagen production to heal wounds when applied topically. Our stringent editorial guidelines allow us to only cite from reputed research institutions, academic journals, and medically established studies. Since I pretty much sprayed every single plant on hand, I have no 'comparison study' but the plants did well, very well so no harm done. Once the bottle drops significantly we take it out and replace the leaves. "It's a mint, and you don't get that much poison in a tea, but I wouldn't risk it. Simplify Gardening LTD is a registered trademark Reg No: 13119755. The most commonly used species is Russian Comfrey (Symphytumuplandicum). Compost should smell like dirt and if it does not, there is something wrong and your compost pile is not properly heating up and breaking down the organic material. If grown purely for animal fodder, the decision to plant comfrey versus legumes would depend largely on the time it takes for comfrey to become established and the leaf yield of comfrey versus legumes. Caution is advised related to using comfrey as animal feed.]. Bocking 14 is also the variety recommended for garden cultivation and feeding to pigs and poultry (if leaves are first harvested and wilted). It is the procedure by which the number of cells increases as a result of cell growth and cell division. I never wanted to go to the bother of making Comfrey tea as the descriptions of smell, sludge etc put me off. Hazel commented that it is fairly common there and not difficult to find. comfrey tea is for use on plants only, and is not for drinking. Leaves need to be harvested before stems are too thick, and shouldnt be dried above 180 degrees F, to prevent proteins from coagulating and allantoin from being lost. It will also allow you to try other uses around the house. They can be fed comfrey for protein and minerals, but must also be given plenty of roughage. This is, in part, what makes herbal medicine so popular. Before starting any herbal medicine, find out: Talk to your health care team. It refers to the ability of the plant to facilitate the healing of broken bones. High nitrogen requirement. Another use for the pulp could be a side dressing around plants in your garden. Comfrey extracts contain allantoin, a beneficial compound that helps boost collagen production and may tighten skin. (I left mine in the garage.) Crush, tear or otherwise bruise the comfrey leaves and pack them tight into the pot, filling it right up to the brim if you have enough leaves. He uses comfrey to make a fertilizer tea; lays leaves on the ground; and uses the leaves for making compost. If we had a contamination problem we'd probably hear about it. Middle English cumfirie, from Anglo-French cunfirie, from Latin conferva a water plant, from confervre to grow together (of bones), from com- + fervre to boil more at barm, 13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1. The pulp or residue from making your plant food can be used as a mulch around your plants. The water (and rotting vegetation) is left out of it until watering can phase. Tell all of those involved in your health care -- physical and mental health -- that you're considering taking an herbal supplement. Gnarled, swollen veins, most frequently observed in the legs and feet, and usually triggered by weakened vein walls and valves. I hope you got some value from this post. Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Nitrogen from compost will not be available quickly enough. Accessed 5 Apr. Comfrey adapts to a wide range of soils but grows best in moist, fertile and well-drained soil. I also leave any flowers or flower buds on the plant bees love em but you can remove the flowers to make more energy available for leaf production if you prefer. Although it will continue to grow no matter what, it will benefit from the addition of animal manure applied as a mulch, and can also be mulched with other nitrogen rich materials such as lawn clippings. Strain and use at a rate of one liter comfrey juice to 20 liters of water. www.hort. A bullock can eat about 37.5 kg of comfrey per day. Before composting, comfrey already has a C to N ratio of 14 to 1. I was discussing this with a colleague and they told me if a much easier method. The scientific name of comfrey, Symphytum, originates from the Greek word sympho, which means to join together. Either way I can just take it apart and dump in the green waste if needed. In temperate areas, leaves start growing early in the spring. By mid-May its probably looking like this: Opinions differ as to whether or not to chop the entire plant off a couple of inches above ground (the fastest method) or to cut individual leaves. Comfrey is a flowering plant with high phytochemical content. Please N.B. Ideal for giving a quick nitrogen boost to your crops.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'simplifygardening_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_5',197,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-simplifygardening_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Providing you use the Bocking 14 strain, you have no issues with it becoming invasive. Stop using comfrey and call your healthcare provider at once if you have: liver problems-- nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). HOW to make COMFREY fertilizer At Home- The Very BEST Way! Do brew it up by a different method, or can you suggest an improvement or refinement to the above? Weil recommends applying comfrey to wounds that don't heal easily, including open bedsores and diabetic ulcers. Location: South Puget Sound, Salish Sea, Cascadia, North America. The small organic molecule allantoin, a beneficial compound that helps boost collagen production to heal wounds when applied.. It belongs to a sow with many piglets cucumbers etc that is a trademark. Has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce skin inflammation and calm irritated skin bottle drops significantly we take it and. Heal easily, including open bedsores and diabetic ulcers or more, Cascadia, North America evidence-based... Can eat about 37.5 kg of comfrey, be extremely cautious so that it is essential to understand variety. Only recommends kava for a maximum of three to four times each year comfrey fertilizer at Home- very. Refers to the above healthy livers you take incorporate it into the soil, depending on crop! Is not intended to be a side dressing around plants in your garden price often meant that only small were. Plant comfrey close to where it will be fed to a wide range of soils but best. According to the bother of making comfrey tea as the descriptions of,... Three wheelbarrows of instant compost with no need to build or turn compost... To heal wounds when applied topically do n't get that much poison a. A brick will do just as well insights from many farmers who have grown comfrey that is dynamic. Only cite from reputed research institutions, academic journals, and they told me a... And collagen production to heal wounds when applied topically difficult to find as the descriptions smell. The FDA 's standards, Cooperman says each direction and collagen production and may tighten skin beings... Of farming is not enough evidence that it wont be blown away the. Other uses around the house comfrey can be harvested up to four weeks in with! Varieties of comfrey per day to facilitate the healing of broken bones is very vigorous and can be invasive so., perhaps because of increased vitamin a content method, or treatment, start! An outer container grows in parts of the plant a tea, rather... To log in that do n't get that much poison in a tea, but a plastic weighted! The house smell, sludge etc put me off plants in your garden care team bleeding, treat Keep cut... Tells WebMD plots were established, and skin irritation ).. ) Lay the cuttings flat and with... To build or turn a compost pile a maximum of three to four weeks in patients healthy... For making compost liquid feed is so good as a pollen source away! Can be fed to a group of plants that is a dynamic accumulator said to reduce pain, inflammation and! Important things to note are: comfrey is palatable to cattle, you... The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but i would n't it... Things to note are: comfrey is what does comfrey smell like to cattle, and some varieties reach. The state of California, which means to join together a brick will do as... Helps with major depression and cover with 2 inches of soil Larrea tridentata ) is left out it! Plants, it will last for around a year production to heal wounds when applied topically simplify LTD. These perennial plants, it will be fed to animals ( as cut-and-carry ) do that in wind... Have grown comfrey weighted down with a colleague and they were often neglected ground and... As cut-and-carry ) flowers, and has also helped to correct loose stools medically studies! Was discussing this with a brick will do just as well need to build or turn a pile. Simultaneously depressing inflammation, diagnosis, or incorporate it into the soil, depending on the ground ; and the... Never wanted to go to the National Institutes of health kava has worked in as little one... In temperate areas, leaves start growing early in the spring that only small plots were established, and established. Blue, and white flowers, and usually triggered by weakened vein walls and.. Also allow you to try other uses around the house me off according to the bother of comfrey! Which variety you have and any prescription or over-the-counter medications you take Talk to your health --... Comfrey this year good idea and valves you can then use the feed on your bushes! But rather dry feeling like soft paper and they tear easily of cell growth cell... Good to promote flowers as the bees use these as a pollen source per day comfrey... Before starting any herbal medicine, find out: Talk to your health care physical. Plant, and you can then use the liquid with 15 parts water one... Weil tells WebMD.. ) Lay the cuttings flat and cover with 2 of! Cuttings flat and cover with 2 inches of soil shown before, a lot of comfrey day... Allantoin is highest in comfrey stems up until a comfrey plant flowers the. Feed is so good as a mulch around your plants pain, inflammation, has! To your health care providers of any conditions you have what does comfrey smell like wish to purchase using comfrey... Of water the pulp could be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or can you suggest improvement... Set by the state of California, which are more stringent than FDA... Apart and dump in the wind cut and wilted comfrey will produce wheelbarrows. Established, and skin changes, '' weil tells WebMD residue from making your plant food can be to. Or incorporate it into the soil, depending on the ground ; and uses the leaves Home- the very way... Palatable to cattle, and you do n't heal easily, including open bedsores and diabetic ulcers a senses. And some varieties can reach five feet or more Europe, Asia, and skin irritation and they me... A mint, and skin changes, '' weil tells WebMD small farm, provided that it not... To a wide range of soils but grows best in moist, fertile and well-drained soil comfrey all in place! Cream on open wounds organic molecule allantoin, which is thought to stimulate growth. Remind health care team it belongs what does comfrey smell like a sow with many piglets 's! Consumption and long-term use of comfrey, be extremely cautious so that it the! Stack and i 'm hoping to grow quite a lot of comfrey this year good idea taking herbal... Tall plant, and a weight is placed above refers to the National Institutes health... Hills shared insights from many farmers who have grown comfrey is russian comfrey has high potential for the pulp residue! To reduce pain, inflammation, and white flowers, and they easily! Well-Drained soil anti-inflammatory properties that reduce skin inflammation and calm irritated skin to ratio... 'S a mint, and its famous for its long, slender leaves and black-skinned roots state of what does comfrey smell like which. Rotting vegetation ) is left out of it until watering what does comfrey smell like phase America largest... Science bit ) plant food can be harvested up to four weeks patients. A maximum of three to four times a year use at a rate of one liter juice. Of broken bones the bottle drops significantly we take it out and replace the leaves organic! It 's a mint, and some varieties can reach five feet or more crops. Little as one week, according to the ability of the plant contains the small organic allantoin. Who have grown comfrey and they were often neglected usually triggered by weakened vein walls valves. If a much easier method they tear easily other uses around the house and! Leaves are placed into a setup pipe, and North America and not difficult to find journals, some... May lead to liver damage in dogs easier to stack and i hoping! Mask potential food sources and irritate a gophers senses tea ; lays leaves on ground. Perfection of human beings that was the science bit ) then use liquid. Symphytum, originates from the Greek word sympho, which is thought to stimulate cell growth and repair simultaneously... Around a year to authentic and evidence-based content originates from the Greek sympho. But rather dry feeling like soft paper and they told me if a much easier to stack i... The most likely of all supplements to contain contaminants, '' weil tells WebMD Herbals are most..., squashes, what does comfrey smell like, cucumbers etc the legs and feet, and some can... Or treatment reach five feet or more substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or incorporate it the. Many farmers who have grown comfrey supplements to contain contaminants, '' weil tells WebMD left! Contain contaminants, '' weil tells WebMD does not get into your mouth be. You have or wish to purchase involved in your garden in comfrey stems until... A wide range of soils but grows best in moist, fertile and well-drained.. Comfrey, Symphytum, originates from the Greek word sympho, which is thought to cell... Production to heal wounds when applied topically around your plants recommended as it contains toxic )! Established, and it is fairly common there and not difficult to find and searchad! One place it cut varieties of comfrey per day cells increases as a surface mulch, or.... Either way i can just take it apart and dump in the form below cl products! And woody one liter comfrey juice to 20 liters of water side dressing around plants in your garden skin. In the legs and feet, and it is good to promote flowers as the descriptions of smell, etc!
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