Comfrey: "boneset" "knitbone" "consound" "slippery-root"

Symphytum officinale Family: Boraginaceae, Borage

Description: Comfrey likes to grow near river banks and moist places. It has hollow, hairy stems, large, rough, hairy, and lance-shaped leaves with whitish, pink, or purple flower spikes which have a slight heliotrope like curl, and black roots. It contains allantoin which promotes the growth cells found in muscles, bone, and cartilage.

Origin: Europe

History: Native to Europe and naturalised in Northern America, where it rapidly spread, the plant has an impressive record of medicinal use. Comfrey is traditionally used to aid in healing injured bone, muscle and sub-tissue, hence the folkname "knitbone".

Nutritional Values: Vitamin B-12, protein, mucilage, steroidal saponins, allantoin, tannins, pyrrolizidine, alkaloids, and inulin.

Medicinal Values: Promotes cell growth, is an anti-inflammatory, antimitotic, astringent, expectorant, and demulcent. It aides in healing internal wounds.

Beneficial Part: Whole plant

Suggested Preparation:

Comfrey should be applied topically as a warm tea compress, a soak, lotion, or salve (not taken internally). Clean the area thoroughly before application.

Warnings:

Some studies have shown that comfrey can cause liver toxicity and damage in high doses. Use in moderation or under the the guidance of a doctor or holistic practitioner. Not for children under 3 years old. Consult your doctor or holistic practitioner before use if pregnant or nursing.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3580139/

https://mountainroseherbs.com/comfrey-root

20, 000 Secrets of Tea, by Victoria Zac

https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-comfrey