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mabelsapothecary

Comfrey

AKA: Black Root, Blackwort, Bruisewort, Common Comfrey, Gum Plant, Healing herb, Knitbone, Prickley Comfrey, Salsify, Slippery Root, Symphytum officinale, and Wallwort, boneset.


Propagation: This is a large, leafed plant with hairy stems and oblong shaped leaves and grow up to 3 ft high and produces purple bell shaped, five-lobed flowers. It is propagated best by using cuttings from established plants.


History/Folklore: Records indicate it has been cultivated sine 400 BCE and was used as an external aid to broken bones and slow bleeding. It was also used for boils, abscesses, sprains & bruises, and a tea was used to help with internal bleeding, diarrhea, ulcers, and other stomach issues. The word comfrey, derived from the Latin word for "grow together", reflects the early uses of this plant. Greeks and Romans used comfrey to stop heavy bleeding, treat bronchial problems, and heal wounds and broken bones. It is native to Europe and Asia. Wild comfrey was brought to America by English immigrants for medicinal uses. COMFREY, a magical herb of folklore, was once thought to cure the ailments of man or beast.


Spiritual: Comfrey is a healing herb which is also particularly good at protecting travelers. Place a little comfrey in your suitcases to prevent theft (just make sure you don’t leave it in there if going through biosecurity). Carry it on your person to ensure your personal safety while travelling. Harness the magical properties of comfrey by making a charm in order to safeguard yourself or your home from theft. The addition of cactus spines makes for a particularly powerful charm. If you enjoy gambling occasionally (be careful, it’s a slippery slope!) putting the money you intend to use to gamble into a bag with comfrey leaves will increase your luck. Use comfrey and mugwort during divination. Anoint a candle with oil and then roll the candle in a mixture of dried comfrey and mugwort to burn while you are divining.


Medicinal: According to clinical herbalist Kathleen Wildwood, who founded the Wisconsin-based Wildwood Institute, comfrey leaves, and especially the roots, contain a hefty amount of allantoin, a plant chemical that speeds up cell repair. Comfrey has anti-inflammatory properties that may decrease bruising and help heal wounds when the herb is applied topically.


*** In the past 20 years scientific studies reported that comfrey may be carcinogenic, since it appeared to cause liver damage and cancerous tumors in rats. Please use caution when consuming and consult with your physician prior to use. ***


Summary: So this adorable little blue flower is a powerful source of healing physically and spiritually. As usual I always stress that you need to make sure it is safe for you. Everyone is different and can have side effects from plants, especially if you have allergies. That being said, there are so many uses for this strong little plant that everyone can find a use for this plant to improve your lives. There is a lot of information out there about comfrey so I hope this gives you a starting point to helping you incorporate this lovely little plant into your life!


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