Table of Contents
Where can I buy comfrey plant?
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is a perennial flower that grows in clumps naturally along riverbanks and in grasslands. It also can be a nice addition to a wildflower garden and container plantings.5 days ago.
Is comfrey plant illegal in the US?
Comfrey is no longer sold in the U.S., except in creams or ointments. The United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Germany also have banned the sale of oral products containing comfrey. The dangerous substances in comfrey are also absorbed through the skin, so harmful amounts may build up in the body.
When should comfrey be planted?
When to Plant Comfrey Ideally plant out offsets in March, April and May or in September. September plantings may not show until the following spring. Late planted offsets in pots can be moved into the greenhouse or a cold frame in late January, early.
Can you buy comfrey?
Free Shipping ONLY on Seed Packs when you Order 13+ Peaceful Valley Brand Seed Packs.
Does comfrey grow in Canada?
It is legal to grow comfrey commercially also. It is not legal to sell prepared comfrey products such as creams, ointments, pills and teas. In a letter dated Jan. 21, 2004 Health Canada clarified the ban.
Can you buy comfrey in Australia?
It is available in Australia but supply is limited. the best way is to make sure you plant Russian Comfrey. It produces very few viable seeds so it generally only grows where it is planted. This is the variety of comfrey that some people call, “the star of the permaculture show“.
What is the difference between common comfrey and Russian comfrey?
Common comfrey (S. officinale) has long been cultivated primarily as a medicinal herb, while prickly comfrey from the Caucuses (S. asperum) is grown mainly as an ornamental. Russian comfrey, which is a hybrid between common and prickly comfrey, comes in many variations and grows mainly independently.
Does comfrey grow in NZ?
Climate: warm temperate, sub-tropical, can grow in cold temperate with protection. Soil: thrives in almost any soil, but does best in moist conditions. Position: almost any situation in the garden.
What is the difference between borage and comfrey?
Borage flowers are always blue while comfrey flowers bloom in white, pink and purple. The flowers have different shapes, as well, with comfrey flowers shaped like bells and borage flowers like stars. Borage also tends to be a bit more gangly than comfrey, which grows in tighter clumps.
Is comfrey toxic to dogs?
But be warned, dogs should not eat or lick it, as it can be toxic to them and will cause gastrointestinal problems if ingested in large amounts. Although comfrey also contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, primarily on the root, which cause liver problems when ingested in large quantities.
Why is comfrey illegal?
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.
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.
What part of comfrey is used?
Comfrey is a plant. Even though this plant contains poisonous chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), some people use the leaf, root, and root-like stem (rhizome) to make medicine.
Does comfrey come back every year?
Extremely cold hardy perennials, comfrey plants become dormant in winter and re-emerge every spring.
Is comfrey easy to grow?
Symphytum spp. For this reason, one of my all time favorite herbs to keep in my garden is comfrey! It is also a long utilized herbal support for wound healing and treating other ailments. And it is extremely easy to grow – perhaps too easy, as it tends to spread if it’s not well managed.
Is comfrey an invasive plant?
Because it is a very deep root, it is extremely difficult to eradicate once established. Between the self-seeding and root regrowth, comfrey can become invasive. There is a sterile species of comfrey, Symphytum x uplandicum ‘Bocking 14’, which eliminates the self-seeding problem in the garden.
When should I start comfrey indoors?
Comfrey can be planted any time when the soil is not frozen, and seedlings are not facing immediate danger of frost. Planting is preferable in the Spring or Fall seasons.
Are there different types of comfrey?
Symphytum/Lower classifications.
Can you grow comfrey in the shade?
Comfrey can be grown in full sun or partial shade in most deep soils. Shallow soils will be a problem, though. Comfrey will grow without extra fertility, but to keep yields up year after year, top-dress with compost, spent mushroom compost or manure.
Can comfrey survive winter?
As for the original posters question, comfrey dies back in winter and leaves bare earth. That is its nature, but also it’s strength. The leaves fall to the ground and as they break down they enrich the soil, feeding the microbial life and adding nutrients.
Is comfrey invasive Australia?
Be very careful, as this plant can be invasive—just cutting the leaves and stem can cause more plants to grow.
Is comfrey a carcinogen?
Comfrey contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are both hepatotoxic and carcinogenic (13), and there is extensive literature concerning hepatotoxicity with use of oral comfrey (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10).
