Comfrey, Common

Light Conditions:

• Full Sun:
  Place comfrey in a location that receives 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day particularly if you are growing it as green manure or to improve soil quality.
• Partial Shade:
  In our climate, comfrey should grow well with 3 to 6 hours of sunlight per day, with periods of shade.

Soil:

• Soils that can be either poor, average or rich in nutrients. It grows well in moist soils, heavy clay soils and soils that have depth for its root system.
• The plant has been reported to grow in damp locations along streams, near rivers, in meadows, woods and moist grasslands.

Watering Frequency:

• Water the soil often if it tends to dry out.
• Comfrey prefers areas that are consistently moist.

Amendments and Fertiliser:

• Comfrey is regarded as an invasive weed and as a result, amendments and fertiliser should not be necessary.
• If you notice that the plant appears to wither, monitor the lighting conditions and the soil moisture, in particular.

Allantoin

 

Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids

Entire Plant -

Comfrey has environmental applications which can be seen in the ecology section.

 

Leaves -

Young leaves can be consumed either raw or cooked, though we suggest you limit consumption and even avoid use if you suffer with liver issues. Comfrey contains allantoin which accelerates the healing process; the roots and leaves can be used in a poultice and applied topically (externally) for broken bones, bruises, cuts, eczema, sores, sprains and varicose veins. We advise caution even when applying comfrey externally as it can still affect the liver.

Environmental, Soil Quality Improvement -

Comfrey is useful to grow as a cover crop to improve soil quality since it grows fairly fast and produces organic material from the stems and leaves that can be cut and dropped on the ground to rot. The cut and drop approach has the dual purpose of initially acting as a green mulch and also as compost material once it has decomposed. Using decomposed comfrey cuttings as manure are good for potassium demanding plants such as tomatoes.

 

Bee-Attracting -

Comfrey flowers attract pollinators such as bumblebees.

Comfrey contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, especially in the roots and older leaves which are hepatotoxic (may damage the liver) and can be absorbed in the skin or stomach.

 

It can be very invasive as it spreads freely from self-sown seeds. In addition, plants can resurface from roots that are not removed in the soil.

 

It is advised that you consult with your physician before taking any herbal medicine.