Knitbone - Comfrey

Sumphytum Officinale (Boraginaceae)

Comfrey is an indigenous European plant, comfrey grows in all temperate regions of the world, including Western Asia, North America, and Australia. It thrives in moist, marshy place.

True comfrey can be grown by seed or root division in the Autumn. Most stores carry the Russian variety which is a sterile hybrid and can only be grown through root division.

In Germany and elsewhere in Europe, comfrey is widely used for sprains, bruises and sports injuries. In a 2007 study, physicians rated the efficacy of a comfrey leaf cream in healing abrasions. The doctors rated its effectiveness as good or very good on 93% of cases, and complete healing took 4 days with comfrey and 7 days with the placebo. Other studies indicate, comfreys value in promoting tissue repair and as an anti inflammatory in conditions such as a sprained ankle, osteoarthritis, and lower back pain.

Research shows that, as isolated substances, certain pyrrolizidine alkaloids can be highly toxic to the liver. It is still unclear weather they are toxic in the context of the whole plant, as they are only present in minute amounts, often being completely absent from samples of dried aroel parts. The highest concentration is in the root, which should not be used internally. Skin application, as well as the aerial parts of the plant, are considered safe.

Comfrey is also used as a dynamic accumulator in permaculture practices. Comfrey breaks up compacted soils and draws up nutrients from deep below. Leaves are used in compost teas and make a great addition to compost piles.

Comfrey is also used as a pig fodder successfully in amounts up to 80 to 90% of the diet! For poultry, it can reduce the need for other feed (be that your concoction or processed feed) by 50%. Egg quality will improve with yolks being brighter. Cows don't bloat when eating comfrey like they do with clover.

Comfrey is traditionally used in treating injuries. Comfreys ability to promote healing of bruises, sprains, fractures and broken bones has been known for thousands of years. It encourages ligaments and bones to knit together firmly. A comfrey compress applied immediately to a sprained ankle can significantly reduce the severity of the injury. The combination of tannins and mucilage helps soothe bruises and grazes.

Comfrey preparations have many other uses and can be applied to heal problems such as insect bites, scars, skin inflammation, acne, mastitis and oral care.

All parts of the comfrey plant can be used. Aerial parts are rich in anti inflammatory and astringent substances. Harvest in summer. While the comfrey root is harvested in Autumn when the Allan toon levels are highest.

Caution ⚠️

Do not use on dirty wounds as rapid healing can trap dirt or pus. Take internally only under professional supervision. Restricted in some

Countries. Do not take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

As always this is not medical advice! I am not a doctor. Please do your own research 🧐 and educate yourself before thinking about trying new herbs. I also strongly recommend consulting your doctor before starting any natural treatment and making sure it won’t contraindicate with any medications you are already taking.

Comfrey can be used for magical purposes to make methodical and well-thought out choices, honouring traditions and rituals, and influencing success.

Comfrey is often used in protective magic for traveller's to ward against theft. You can do this by placing sachets of comfrey in your luggage or placed in your vehicle. It can also be used in sachets to keep with your lover to keep them faithful while you are gone.

It can also be used for money. Wrap your money in a comfrey leaf several days before going to a casino or poker game and it will ensure that your bets keep coming back to you.

You can use comfrey in baths after doing ritual work to relax and cleanse yourself. This is especially true for after working love spells.

Comfrey can aid in protection when going on a spiritual journey. It will keep you safe when traveling the astral plane and ensure that you return to yourself untouched by negative influences or harm.

Comfrey has sometimes been used by herbalists to assist people in reviewing suppressed memories. Its essence can help heal old emotional wounds and help leave painful memories behind. It can also help those with a history of trauma or abuse or anyone who suffered from an unhappy or traumatic childhood by retrieving old memories to slowly heal and recover from old wounds.

Comfrey is associated with the Throat Chakra. The Throat Chakra is located at the front of your throat. Many of the other Chakra energies flow through this one. So, it is worth noting that you may experience out-of-balance symptoms of other Chakras along with the Throat Chakra. This is caused by the Throat Chakra blocking the energy flow from the other centers.

When the Throat Chakra is out of balance the symptoms may include sore throats, tight jaws, stiff neck, and headaches. You might find yourself habitually lying, feeling fear and doubt about the intentions of others, or find yourself stammering or at a loss for words. You will likely have feelings of being isolated and misunderstood.

Stay wild ✌️