Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)


common comfrey, boneset, knitbone, consound, and slippery-root


Description
Comfrey is a perennial plant, with a short, thick rhizome, branched, from which fleshy roots emerge, up to 30 cm long and from 1 to 2.5 cm thick, covered with black bark, but the inside is white. The stem is straight, up to 120 cm high, edged at the base, and winged edges at the top, covered with stiff hairs, slightly lifted. The leaves are rough and hairy, with a white main rib and the other ribs are united to form a network. The leaves are extended on the stem, giving it a wing aspect. Flowers are purple in color, placed at the top of the stem, tube-shaped, finished with 5 teeth curved towards the outside. It blooms from May to August. It grows on creeks edges, in wet grasslands and meadows.


Harvest
The rhizome is harvested with roots, in autumn after cessation of vegetation or in early spring.


Drying Mode
Comfrey roots are dried in thin layers as soon as possible. Artificial drying is preferred, at a temperature of about 40-50 degrees C. From 3-4 kg of fresh roots you can obtain 1 kg of dry product.


Uses
It is used as an emollient and expectorant for cough, in treating stomach ulcers and externally for healing wounds. Internally: hemostatic, for scarring, antimiotic action. Externally: descongestiv, astringent, healing wounds.




Source: www.sanatateverde.blogspot.com