Sunday, December 11, 2011

COMFREY IN THE HERB GARDEN

 Sepals of Symphytum officinale (Comfrey)
Photo by AS 
Common names for this herb are boneset, healing herb, or knitbone.  Comfrey is a hardy perennial with leaves that contain allantoin and was used in folk medicine as bandages to aid in healing.  It is not recommended for eating due to the alkaloids found in them.  What is it good for?  Organic gardeners claim older leaves can be tossed into the compost pile to aid decomposition.  It is a deep-rooted plant that can grow to 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide.  It flowers throughout the summer with pinkish blooms.

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