Perennial herb of the borage family with large, broad leaves and purple blooms. Comfrey also known as Knitback. Comfrey also known as Symphytum officinale.
A medicinal herb used on skin or to treat muscle pain. It should not be consumed. Available at health food stores.
Comfreys are among the most important medicinal herbs. They contain allantoin, a hormone-like substance that stimulates cell division, making the comfreys valuable for healing wounds, ulcers and broken bones. Tea and poultices of leaves or roots are used. Comfreys are nutritional herbs, rich in calcium, potassium, phosphorus, vitamins and trace elements. Pound for pound they contain more protein than beefsteak. You can benefit from these nutrients by drinking the juice, or by adding finely chopped young leaves to salads. Important fodder and green manure crops as well. Can be grown indoors or out.
A hardy perennial, Symphytum officinale, whose leaves and roots and oil can be obtained. The oil is used in ointment form to promote wound heeding. Because it contains known liver toxins, comfrey is not recommended for use in tea and should not be taken internally.