What are comfrey plants used for?

What are comfrey plants used for?

It is also used as a gargle for gum disease and sore throat. Comfrey is applied to the skin for ulcers, wounds, muscle soreness, bruises, rheumatoid arthritis, varicose veins, gout, and fractures.

What part of comfrey is edible?

leaves
It isn’t eaten a lot, as it has a slightly hairy, rough texture as the leaves age, but the young leaves and buds are very tender and delicious in recipes such as Comfrey Leaf Lemonade Fritters. The leaves are used a lot as a herbal tea.

Is comfrey plant illegal in the US?

Comfrey is no longer sold in the U.S., except in creams or ointments. The United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Germany also have banned the sale of oral products containing comfrey. The dangerous substances in comfrey are also absorbed through the skin, so harmful amounts may build up in the body.

Is comfrey good for tomatoes?

By harvesting the leaves and letting them break down, you’ll have a rich, dark, nutrient-rich plant food to use around the garden. It’s especially rich in potassium, making it the ideal feed to promote flowers and fruits in a range of plants, including tomatoes.

What can I do with comfrey leaves?

7 Best Uses for Comfrey

• Vigorous comfrey plants regrow after greens are harvested for compost or mulch.
• Garlic is tucked in with a double mulch of chopped comfrey and rotted hay.
• A comfrey root poultice can speed healing of sprains and bruises.
• Use dried leaves to make comfrey tea for houseplants.

Can you eat comfrey leaves Raw?

The risks of eating comfrey Today, eating or taking any form of comfrey by mouth isn’t recommended. It’s considered unsafe, due to the pyrrolizidine alkaloids that comfrey contains. These are dangerous chemicals that can cause cancer, severe liver damage, and even death when you consume them.

Why is comfrey illegal?

The pyrrolizidine alkaloids in comfrey can cause severe liver damage, liver cancer, mutagenicity, and even death. [8,9] For this reason, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has banned the sale of oral comfrey products in the United States.

Is comfrey good for your garden?

Comfrey is the organic gardener’s best friend. Its leaves are full of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium – all nutrients needed by growing plants. Master the use of comfrey and you’ll never need to buy expensive fertiliser again.