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Symphytum
Comfrey

Related species:
Russian comfrey

Comfrey is also known as "consound", meaning "against swooning". This probably came about from the use of comfrey as a wound herb, when fresh leaves were picked and laid on cuts, bruises and open wounds to promote healing. A poultice of comfrey was an old remedy for mending broken bones. The tea made from boiling comfrey root and leaves helps to ease coughs and other bronchial ailments. Pulped roots and leaves can also be applied to areas of rheumatic pain. An infusion of leaves can be used as a gargle, and applied externally as a wash for inflammation, acne and chapped skin. Comfrey is an excellent addition to the diet of cattle, and strengthens the legs of race horses.

Fresh comfrey leaves can be cooked as a plain green vegetable, or chopped and added to salads. The roots are used to make pickles and for the brewing of comfrey wine.

Comfrey is a perennial that grows in almost any soil, but it thrives in damp conditions. It is not suitable for container growth because of the large roots that need a great deal of water when fully grown. Comfrey is a first-class composting plant, helping in the rapid breakdown of other compost materials. The basal leaves of the plant can grow to at least 2', and the plant can last as long as 20 years. As every scrap of comfrey root will develop into a new plant, it needs to be restricted in the garden. The fresh leaves and flowers produce yellow and orange dyes.

1. Comfrey Herbal Dye

Ingredients:
1 pound fresh comfrey leaves, stalks and flowers
mordant: tin or chrome
fleece or yarn

Method:
Make alternate layers of comfrey and fleece/yarn in a dye pot. The first and last layers should be comfrey. Cover with cold, soft water and heat very slowly, taking at least an hour to reach simmering point. Simmer for another hour. Carefully lift the fleece/yarn from the dye pot and rinse, first in hot, then lukewarm, then cold water. Hang up to dry.

*Note:
Whether wool is to be dyed as fleece, yarn or cloth, it must be thoroughly cleaned or "scoured" before dyeing. Wool will not shrink or become felted during prolonged soaking or simmering if it is always handled gently when hot and wet. Slide the wool into the pot, barely stir it when dyeing, never agitate or rub it, and never subject it to sudden changes in temperature. Heat very slowly to simmering point and, when rinsing, use progressively cooler changes of water.

2. Comfrey Infusion

Ingredients:
2 teaspoons comfrey leaves (or, 1 teaspoon dried comfrey)
1¼ cups boiling water

Method:
Shred the fresh comfrey leaves and cover with the boiling water. Gently bathe cuts and abrasions with this lotion. It is also good for minor burns, scalds and sunburn.

Comfrey...