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Where do you find comfrey leaves?
Common comfrey is a hairy plant of damp ground and is found beside rivers, in fens and ditches, and on roadside verges and waste ground. It often grows in clumps and displays clusters of bell-shaped, pinky-purple flowers from May to July.
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.
Does Walmart sell comfrey?
Comfrey – Symphytum officinale – Moist/Shade – Qt Pot -Also Repels Slugs/Snails – Walmart.com.
Can you buy comfrey?
Free Shipping ONLY on Seed Packs when you Order 13+ Peaceful Valley Brand Seed Packs.
Which comfrey is best?
Garden comfrey has a higher nutrient content than the common wild comfrey, and its leaves can be cut several times in a season. Our research found that the ‘Bocking 14’ variety is the best. Available from The Organic Gardening Catalogue, Garden Organic members get a 10% discount.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How do you harvest comfrey leaves?
Harvesting Comfrey You will need to start by cutting the leaves back to about 2 inches above the soil. You can also take individual leaves as they get to about the size of your hand. After the first cut, you can count on another cutting every 6 weeks until early autumn.
How does comfrey spread?
Does Comfrey Spread? Our comfrey does not produce viable seed and stays in place. It will only spread if disturbed because any piece of comfrey root will make a new plant. So any digging or rototilling near comfrey will result in new plants.
Is comfrey good for potatoes?
On potatoes Comfrey has an almost perfect ratio of nitrogen, potash and phosphorous. In comparison with farmyard manure, Hills shows it has more nitrogen, twice as much potash, but less phosphorous. It is an ideal potato and tomato food.
Is comfrey poisonous to chickens?
Comfrey has been deemed safe to handle and to use externally. Any comfrey that my hens have eaten they’ve shared with the whole flock—and they are eating commercial laying feed, too.
Is comfrey harmful to livestock?
Livestock Feed. You wouldn’t think animals would not like to eat comfrey because of the tiny hairs on comfrey leaves, but sheep, pigs and chickens don’t mind. Even rabbits and cattle will eat comfrey when it’s wilted or dried as hay, according to the University of Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station.
Is comfrey poisonous to animals?
The Merck Veterinary Manual lists comfrey as an especially risky herb because of its pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which have been linked to liver damage. The alkaloids are actually produced by the herb to fend off bugs, but the insecticide can be harmful to a dog.
Is comfrey safe to eat?
Today, eating or taking any form of comfrey by mouth isn’t recommended. It’s considered unsafe, due to the pyrrolizidine alkaloids that comfrey contains. These are dangerous chemicals that can cause cancer, severe liver damage, and even death when you consume them.
Is comfrey safe for skin?
In a nutshell Overall, comfrey is beneficial to all skin types; it helps to moisturise and soothe dry irritated skin, promotes rapid skin-cell growth, contributes to skin renewal, protects against bacteria and other microorganisms, reduces inflammation and helps to keep skin healthy.
How do you cook with comfrey?
Comfrey can be prepared as a starter (they make quite good fritters), soup, or as a side dish. (My mom makes a delicious comfrey marog -a traditional African side dish made with leafy greens, onions and tomatoes.) You can also add it to other veggies and to stews. It also makes a nutritious addition to veggie juices.
