All the Comforts of Comfrey

Comfrey Symphytum officinale
Folklore/Common Names: Common Comfrey, Knitbone, Knitback, Consound, Black Root, Wallwort, Blackwort, Bruisewort, Salsify, Slippery Root, Boneset, Yalluc (Saxon), Gum Plant, Consolida, Ass Ear

Parts Used: Root, leaves

Historical Reference

Comfrey's reputation has been that of a healing herb for centuries, and we find it referenced as early as 400 B.C. Apparently aware of Comfrey's properties, the ancient Greeks gave the herb its name as either a derivation of con firma, a reference to the uniting of bones as it was used by Dioscorides; or of conferta meaning 'grow together. Despite the moniker, physicians used it primarily to stop heavy bleeding and to treat respiratory and bronchial ailments.

By the Middle Ages, Comfrey was still being used as a remedy for broken bones. In the sixteenth century we find a reference to Comfrey as being able to 'heal all inwarde woundes and burstings'. A Madam Susanna Avery wrote an entry in a book dated May 12, 1688 that recorded "From the French conserve, Latin conserva - healound conserves - to boil together; to heal, A Wound Herb. Not surprisingly, it is this use for which you'll still find Comfrey widely recommended by herbalists today.

Throughout Europe, people cultivated Comfrey in their gardens as a culinary herb as well, using the leaves in soups and stocks as well as a fresh green. By the mid-1800's, one gentleman by the name of Henry Doubleday envisioned saving the world from hunger through the cultivation of Comfrey. The idea is not so outlived, despite findings by later scientific groups to only use Comfrey externally, the organization he founded in England is still in existence today.

M. Grieve tells us in A Modern Herbal that "Comfrey roots, together with Chichory and Dandelion roots, are used to make a well-known vegetation 'Coffee,' that tastes practically the same as ordinary coffee, with none of its injurious effects."

Medicinal Use

Caution: The information following regarding the use of Comfrey internally is for historical reference only. The dispute about the safety of taking Comfrey internally is still widely debated and not professionally encouraged. I advise against taking Comfrey internally in any but the most minute quantities, and sticking to its external benefits. Even when used externally, do not use for longer than three ongoing weeks at one time.

For a time, Comfrey was found to be a benefit for bronchial ailments due to the amount of mucilage it contains, higher even than Marshmallow. This and Comfrey's expectorant properties were utilized in most lung troubles such as whooping cough, and it was also recommended for intestinal troubles and heart complaints as well. The root was also used in a decoction as a mouthwash or gargle to combat sore throat and gum disease.

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