What is the comfrey plant used for?

What is the comfrey plant used for?

Comfrey is an herbal supplement used for conditions such as bronchitis, bruises (topical use), cancer, cough (persistent), fractures (topical use), peptic ulcer, rheumatism, skin ulcers (topical use), sprains (topical use), wound healing (topical use), gastritis, ulcers, excessive menstrual flow, and to gargle for gum …

Where is the best place to plant comfrey?

Comfrey grows best in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9. But will grow almost anywhere. Comfrey prefers a sweet soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0 and grows best in rich, moist soil in full sun, but will tolerate some shade. * It will grow well in clay, light sands or loams — whether in dry or wet areas.

Is comfrey plants illegal in the US?

The pyrrolizidine alkaloids in comfrey can cause severe liver damage, liver cancer, mutagenicity, and even death. [8,9] For this reason, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has banned the sale of oral comfrey products in the United States.

What can I do with comfrey leaves?

7 Best Uses for Comfrey

• Vigorous comfrey plants regrow after greens are harvested for compost or mulch.
• Garlic is tucked in with a double mulch of chopped comfrey and rotted hay.
• A comfrey root poultice can speed healing of sprains and bruises.
• Use dried leaves to make comfrey tea for houseplants.

When can I plant comfrey outside?

officinale, common comfrey, can be grown from seed. It is best to direct sow outdoors about three weeks before the average last frost date, planting about half an inch deep in soil. Water well and keep the soil moist until seeds germinate in about two to three weeks.

Is comfrey good for your garden?

Comfrey is the organic gardener’s best friend. Its leaves are full of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium – all nutrients needed by growing plants. Master the use of comfrey and you’ll never need to buy expensive fertiliser again.

Is comfrey good for bees?

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) It has a long flowering period that’s loved by bumblebees, especially species with long tongues. Flowers: May to August. Comfrey is a fantastic garden plant – bees love it and you can used it to make a fertiliser!

Is comfrey safe to compost?

Comfrey cuttings make an excellent bioactivator in the compost bin. If you have a large amount of dried brown material—such as fall leaves—layering it with comfrey cuttings is an efficient way to balance out the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio and jumpstart decomposition.

Are comfrey and borage the same?

Though they are members of the same plant family (Boraginaceae), perennial comfrey (​Symphytum officinale​, USDA zones 4-8) and annual borage (​Borago officinalis​) are two different plants. These cousins both boast dark green foliage and fuzzy leaves.

Is comfrey good for compost?

Place cut or bruised comfrey leaves in alternate layers throughout your compost heap. Their decomposition will encourage bacterial action causing the heap to heat up and speed up the composting process. Use as a mulch.