Comfrey is an ancient medicinal plant that is also wonderful to plant in the garden. We reveal here what is important.
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is not only an easy-care ornamental plant in perennial gardens, but has also been a talking point as a medicinal plant for centuries. The perennial perennials are more than a meter high and form long taproots. The red-violet flowers enrich the summer in the garden bed. Herb and roots are of medicinal importance. Comfrey is the first choice from the natural pharmacy, especially for bruises and strains.
Comfrey - Origin
Comfrey's original home is in the Caucasus region. The plant is now widespread throughout Europe. There you can find the herb preferably on roadsides or on the creek bank. The targeted cultivation of the herb, also known as a medicinal comfrey or comfrey, is exclusively for medicinal purposes.
| Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | bushy, erect, clump-forming |
| Growth: | 80 - 100 cm |
| Growth: | 40 - 50 cm |
| Special Features: | bee-friendly, medicinal plant, bristly leaves, hardy |
| Location: | Sun to partial shade |
| Floor: | fresh to moist, well-drained, pH 4.6 to 7.5 |
Comfrey - effect as a medicinal plant
Allantoin is one of the main active ingredients in comfrey. It also contains alkaloids, tannins and mucilage. Significant occurrences of essential oils can be found in the comfrey root. Allantoin can have a positive effect on wound healing and tissue regeneration.
Comfrey extract poultices help with dislocations, bruises, bruises or inflammation of the periosteum.
Comfrey - use as a medicinal plant
Classified as a traditional herbal medicinal product, comfrey possesses a number of beneficial properties:
- anti-inflammatory
- decongestant
- circulation-enhancing
- Wound Cleansing
- wound healing
» Warning: Comfrey may only be used externally because the plant contains toxic substances. Ingestion can lead to liver damage and is suspected of causing cancer.
The plants contain varying doses of toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Therefore, only use controlled ready-made medicines in the form of pastes or ointments. When preparing medicines from comfrey, a daily amount of 0.1 milligrams must not be exceeded. In this regard, observe the manufacturer's dosage instructions.
For domestic use, an extract can be made as follows:
- Cut comfrey root
- mix with boiling water (ratio 1:10)
- Let the brew steep for about 15 minutes
- Strain root pieces
- Soak a compress with comfrey extract and apply to the affected area of skin
The commercially available ointments and pastes often contain other valuable ingredients such as calendula, arnica, St. John's wort or lavender oil.
» Caution: External use should not exceed four to six weeks. Envelopes should only be applied to intact skin. Comfrey should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Comfrey - use in the garden
Comfrey is an unobtrusive but still decorative plant in a semi-natural garden area. The dense, bell-shaped flowers of bright yellow or purple appear between May and October.
» Tip: If you plant comfrey in your garden, you will look forward to an attractive bee pasture.
Comfrey extract can be used as fertilizer. The high potassium content is a welcome boost for all ornamental plants. Comfrey manure is particularly effective against fungal infestation and spider mites. Spray the affected plants several times with the liquid.
Plant Comfrey
Find the right location
Comfrey likes a sunny spot, but also tolerates partial shade. An atmospheric picture emerges under trees and shrubs. In its natural environment, comfrey can be found on damp meadows, in sparse forests or on the banks of streams at altitudes of up to 1,000 meters.
Selecting the ideal substrate
Moist and nutritious soil is ideal for comfrey to grow he althily. A high nitrogen content promotes vigorous growth and flowering.
» Tip:In the swamp bed, in the company of ferns or marsh marigolds, the ideal environment for comfrey has been found.
A heavy clay soil is also preferred. Comfrey, on the other hand, cannot cope with a dry substrate.
Planting comfrey - what you have to consider
The location should be chosen carefully. Comfrey grows quickly and spreads accordingly. After a short time you will see a meter high bush. There is also a lot happening below the surface of the earth. The long black taproots dig up to half a meter into the ground. This makes it almost impossible to transplant later without damaging the comfrey.
Young plants are offered in stores. If you want, you can also look for comfrey in nature and cut off a piece of the root. This piece of root is planted in garden soil and a stately bush will develop as early as next spring.
» Tip: A planting distance of about 50 centimeters should be maintained.
Comfrey as a container plant
Comfrey can be cultivated as a container plant. This has the advantage that the location can be determined flexibly. However, the plant pot should correspond to the growth requirements of the plant. You need a tall planter that can hold the taproot.
Potted plants have a high nutrient requirement and need to be watered more often. In winter there is a risk of freezing.
Watering Comfrey Properly
Comfrey is extremely easy to care for in the perennial border. During a hot and dry summer, occasional watering is beneficial. In the bucket, the moisture is consumed very quickly and it should be watered regularly. Waterlogging is tolerated better than prolonged drought.
Fertilize comfrey properly
If comfrey gets an appropriate location in the garden, the plant is supplied with all the necessary nutrients and does not have to be fertilized additionally. Container plants receive fewer nutrients in narrow plant pots, since only a limited supply of potting soil is available. Liquid fertilizer can be used between March and October.
Beimwell species at a glance
Comfrey comes in three subspecies:
- Comfrey=striped and hairy leaves and stems
- White comfrey=hairy, white flowers
- Swamp Comfrey=robust, almost bare on stems and foliage
Other subspecies:
- Rough Comfrey
The plant was originally onlynative to Asia but now also native to Europe. - Knotted Comfrey
The distribution extends over large parts of Europe to Turkey. It can be used in the garden as a ground cover. In times of need, the rhizome was made into bread dough because it is particularly starchy. - Heartleaf Comfrey
This species is found only in Romania, Poland, Ukraine and Slovakia. - Fodder Comfrey
This plant was bred from Common Comfrey and Rough Comfrey. The foliage has cream markings.
Cutting Comfrey
A cut is not absolutely necessary. If there is no uncontrolled spread, the stems can be shortened after the flowering period. If you cut the plant back about a hand's breadth, it will sprout all the more vigorously and grow bushier in the next garden year.
Harvest Comfrey
The fresh leaves of the plant can be harvested all year round. If you want to dry the leaves, you should harvest immediately before flowering. From the second year, the roots can also be used. These are dug up in autumn and used fresh or dried.
Propagating Comfrey
The simplest way of propagation is to separate parts of the roots. This can be done in spring or fall after flowering.
» Tip: Comfrey regenerates very quickly and new plants form from all root parts.
The plant lover needs a little more patience when sowing. Comfrey is sown in autumn and then overwintered in the cold frame. Germination can take up to 20 weeks.
Detect diseases and pests
Comfrey is not susceptible to disease or pests. Powdery mildew and rust are occasionally observed. Both diseases are easy to identify in the condition of the foliage. Infested leaves and stems should be shortened close to the ground.
» Warning: Plant parts that have been cut off must not be composted, but should be disposed of with the residual waste or burned.
Winter Comfrey
Comfrey retreats to its roots over the winter. Additional winter protection is not necessary. The plant sprout early next spring and is often in bloom as early as April.
» Tip: Potted plants should be overwintered standing on a base made of wood or styrofoam, or preferably move to a frost-free room in the house.