Symphytum officinale — the knit-bone herb
Comfrey is a robust perennial herb reaching 50–100cm, with large hairy lance-shaped leaves and clusters of tubular flowers ranging from cream to purple. It dies back to its deep taproot in winter and returns vigorously each spring.
We have a healthy stand at the edge of the lower pond, thriving in the damp rich soil, and a cultivated patch in the kitchen garden. You will also find it growing spontaneously at the base of walls along shaded pathways.
Comfrey has been used medicinally for over 2,000 years. Its folk names — knit-bone, bruisewort, boneset — tell the story directly. Roman physicians applied it as a poultice for fractures. In the Gascon tradition, comfrey leaves were made into a paste with lard and applied to sprains and bruises.
The plant contains allantoin, which stimulates cell growth and speeds healing of wounds and inflamed tissue. It is also rich in rosmarinic acid (anti-inflammatory). Modern research confirms its effectiveness for musculoskeletal conditions when applied topically. Note: Internal use is not recommended due to pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Always consult a healthcare professional.
We make a comfrey-infused oil each summer — dried comfrey root and leaves covered in olive oil for six weeks. This becomes our comfrey salve, combined with beeswax and lavender essential oil, which we offer to guests during herb walk experiences. We also use comfrey as a powerful green manure, cutting leaves and laying them around fruit trees where they decompose rapidly.
For external use only. Do not apply to open wounds or broken skin. Do not use during pregnancy. Keep away from young children.