Common Name: Comfrey
Scientific Name: Symphytum officinale
Areas of the United States Found in Nature
Comfrey is found in moist, fertile soils along stream banks, ditches, and wet meadows, mostly in the eastern United States. It is often cultivated in gardens for its medicinal and soil-enriching properties.
How to Identify It
Comfrey is a large, coarse perennial herb with broad, hairy leaves and bell-shaped purple, blue, or white flowers that hang in clusters. The plant can grow up to 3-4 feet tall and has a deep, thick taproot. The leaves are long, pointed, and covered with bristly hairs, and the plant’s stems are also rough and hairy.
How and When to Harvest for the Highest Medicinal Value
Harvest Comfrey leaves when the plant is about 2 feet tall, usually in late spring or early summer, before it flowers. Cut the leaves near the base of the plant, leaving some behind to ensure the plant continues to grow. Roots can be harvested in the fall after the leaves have died back, as this is when the roots are most potent.
How to Preserve the Herb for Future Use
Dry Comfrey leaves by laying them out in a single layer on a drying rack in a shaded, airy place. Avoid direct sunlight to preserve the medicinal properties. Comfrey roots can be washed, chopped, and dried in a dehydrator or a warm, well-ventilated area. Once dried, store the herb in airtight containers away from light and moisture. Properly dried Comfrey can be stored for up to a year.
Medicinal Uses
Comfrey is traditionally used externally for wound healing, reducing inflammation, and relieving pain. It is known for its high content of allantoin, a compound that promotes cell regeneration.
Poultice
Mash fresh or dried Comfrey leaves with a small amount of water to make a poultice. Apply the poultice directly to bruises, sprains, or minor wounds to help reduce inflammation and speed healing.
Salve
Infuse Comfrey leaves or roots in olive oil over several weeks, strain, and mix with melted beeswax to create a healing salve. This salve can be applied to cuts, abrasions, and dry skin.
Compress
Soak a cloth in a strong Comfrey tea and apply it as a compress to sore muscles, joint pain, or minor injuries to reduce swelling and promote healing.
Note: Comfrey should be used externally only, as it contains compounds called pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can be toxic to the liver when ingested.
How to Propagate for Annual Use in Your Garden
Comfrey can be propagated from seeds, root cuttings, or by dividing mature plants.
From Seed
Sow Comfrey seeds in pots or directly in the garden in early spring. Seeds require light to germinate, so press them gently into the soil without covering them. Keep the soil moist until germination, which usually takes 2-3 weeks.
By Root Cuttings
Cut 2-3 inch sections of Comfrey root in the spring or fall. Plant the cuttings horizontally in the soil about 2 inches deep. Water well and keep the soil moist until new growth appears.
By Division
Divide mature Comfrey plants in the spring or fall. Dig up the plant and gently separate the roots into smaller sections, each with at least one growing point. Replant the divisions at the same depth they were growing before, spacing them about 2 feet apart. Water well after planting.
How to Over-Winter the Plant
Comfrey is hardy and can survive winter in most regions without special care.
Cut Back
After the first frost or once the plant has fully died back in late fall, cut the stems down to about 2-3 inches above the ground. This tidies up the garden and encourages healthy new growth in the spring.
Mulch
Apply a layer of mulch, such as straw or shredded leaves, around the base of the plant after the ground begins to freeze. This helps protect the roots from severe cold and temperature fluctuations.
Watering
Comfrey is drought-tolerant and generally does not need extra watering during the winter. Ensure the soil remains well-draining to prevent root rot.
In the spring, remove any mulch to allow new growth to emerge naturally. Comfrey will regrow vigorously from its roots, ready to provide its medicinal benefits again.
