What is Russian comfrey good for?

What is Russian comfrey good for?

Comfrey is used as a tea for upset stomach, ulcers, heavy menstrual periods, diarrhea, bloody urine, persistent cough, painful breathing (pleuritis), bronchitis, cancer, and chest pain (angina). It is also used as a gargle for gum disease and sore throat.

Is Russian comfrey invasive?

Between the self-seeding and root regrowth, comfrey can become invasive. There is a sterile species of comfrey, Symphytum x uplandicum ‘Bocking 14’, which eliminates the self-seeding problem in the garden. Comfrey is a very fast growing plant. During the growing season it produces huge amounts of leaves.

Does Russian comfrey spread?

While true comfrey can spread easily, Russian comfrey has sterile seed, so it won’t take over the garden. Although the Bocking varieties do not proliferate by seed, the plant grows in width and eventually needs to be divided. And that’s how you can produce more of these plants for mulch over time!

Is comfrey poisonous to humans?

When taken by mouth: Comfrey is LIKELY UNSAFE for anyone when taken by mouth. It contains chemicals (pyrrolizidine alkaloids, PAs) that can cause liver damage, lung damage, and cancer. The FDA has recommended that all oral comfrey products be removed from the market.

Is comfrey a carcinogen?

Comfrey contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are both hepatotoxic and carcinogenic (13), and there is extensive literature concerning hepatotoxicity with use of oral comfrey (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10).

Why is comfrey toxic?

In the past, comfrey was also used to treat stomach problems. However, it has toxic substances called pyrrolizidine alkaloids that damage the liver and can lead to death.

Is comfrey safe for humans?

Is comfrey a wild plant?

Common comfrey is a hairy plant of damp ground and is found beside rivers, in fens and ditches, and on roadside verges and waste ground. It often grows in clumps and displays clusters of bell-shaped, pinky-purple flowers from May to July.

Where to find comfrey plants?

Comfrey is a perennial plant native to most of North America, Europe, and western Siberia. It is found in moist, watery places.

When to plant comfrey roots?

Seasons to Plant Comfrey. Comfrey roots can be planted any time the soil can be worked. In most climates this means planting is good spring, summer and fall. The best time to plant is in the spring or fall.

Is comfrey invasive?

Comfrey is not invasive, but… Comfrey is not an invasive plant. It does not send out runners or vines to take over garden beds or lawns like our morning glory and buttercup does. Most varieties of comfrey also do not set seed (including the comfrey we have growing on our property).

What is comfrey herb?

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is an ancient herb that has been used topically since antiquity to help heal broken bones. In fact, one of its common names is knitbone.