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Overview
Symphytum officinale or Comfrey is a well known, old fashioned herb that grows in clumps and is tuberous rooted.
This is an attractive plant that is grown as much for its flower displays as for its medicinal qualities.
The hairy, ovate foliage is quite coarse but the delicate, tubular bell shaped flowers appear in drooping clusters and are very pretty in shades of white through to pink and mauve.
Comfrey is a good addition to herbaceous borders and suits most informal garden designs including cottage and wildflower meadow.
Soil: Most averagely moist soils will do, though good drainage is important. Add organic matter like compost and a layer of mulch after planting.
Although thriving in moist soils Comfrey is fairly drought tolerant.
Choose a sunny location that avoids the scorch of afternoon sun.
Best planted in pots as small segments of the tuberous root and break off and start a new plant. If in a pot its contained.
Maintenance: Cut back after flowering to promote further blooms.
Comfrey foliage goes very well in composts, helping to speed up the rotting process.
Diseases: Slugs and snails may be a minor problem at times.
Toxicity: Comfrey, a commonly used herb, contains dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloids that, as a group of bioactive metabolites, are potentially hepatotoxic, pneumotoxic, genotoxic and carcinogenic.
Other Species: 25 to 30 species in he Symphytum genus, all fast growing, hairy perennials.
Comments: The leaves have been used for millenia (since 400BC) as poultices to treat inflammation, rashes, swellings, cuts and bruises, as well as helping broken bones to heal.
Best for external use only.
Author: Bob Saunders.