Comfrey (larkspur)

Comfrey is a herbaceous forest perennial belonging to the Borage family. The Russian name of the plant is based on the places in which it most often grows. The Latin name (symphytum officinale) is associated with the Greek word symphyo, the meaning of which is “to connect” or “to splice”.

In Russian literature, comfrey is often called a tallow root, viz-grass, larkspur, or bone breaker.

The name "zhivokost" is associated with Eastern European languages ​​(the plant is called in Polish zywokost, in Ukrainian zhivokist, and in Belarusian zhyvakost). This name suggests that comfrey is a remedy for overgrowing fractures and treating joints. It is important not to confuse it with larkspur (delphinium), which is a completely different plant belonging to the Ranunculaceae family.

Other names for comfrey are:

• Comfrey (English)
• Consoude, Oreilles d'ânes (fr.),
• Arzneibeinwell, Beinheil, Heilwurz, Kornfrei, Schwarzwurz (German).

• The height of the comfrey is up to 80-100 centimeters.
• The plant has a large root, pubescent thick straight stem, pubescent large leaves and pink (rarely yellowish) bell-shaped flowers. The root system of the larkspur is distinguished by the presence of numerous processes. If outside the root of the plant is almost black, then inside it is juicy and white.The root feels greasy to the touch.
• The leaves of the comfrey are ovoid (they are pointed towards the tops) and covered with hairs.
• The plant begins to bloom in May.
• Fruits (four nuts) begin to ripen in July.

There are such types of comfrey:

This comfrey is very common in Eastern Europe, but is also found in Asia and Siberia. The plant loves wet places, so it is found in forests, floodplains and meadows. The features of plants of this species are short rhizomes, stem height up to one meter, oblong large leaves, pubescent stems, flowers of a dark purple hue (less often pink). Such a comfrey is not picky about the soil and is resistant to cold.

It is also called rough or hard. You can find such a comfrey growing in natural conditions in the Caucasus. The plant grows in a meadow, on a river bank, near a mountain stream, on the edge of a forest, near a spring and in other places. The differences of this type of livestock are the more rigid pubescence of the plant and the blue tint of the flowers. This comfrey is used as a fodder plant and is grown in different countries.

The height of the bushes of such a comfrey is up to 50 centimeters. In early summer, the plant is covered with yellow flowers. The birthplace of this type of comfrey is the Balkans, the Pyrenees and the northwestern regions of Turkey.

Many botanists do not attribute this larkspur to a separate species, but consider it one of the varieties of rough comfrey. It is also believed that foreign comfrey is a hybrid plant that combines hard and medicinal comfrey. In the wild, such comfrey is also found in the Caucasus.

It is distinguished by a long rhizome, up to 100 centimeters high, the formation of dense thickets, abundant flowering, resistance to cold and disease. The flowers of this livestock are bright blue, but there is also a variety with white flowers. The Caucasian comfrey is propagated by seeds (sown before winter) or parts of rhizomes.

The homeland of the plant is the Caucasus. Such a comfrey grows in mixed forests, forming carpet-like shrubs 20-30 centimeters high. It is distinguished by dark green oval leaves, yellowish flowers, unpretentiousness in soil and care. Such a comfrey is often chosen for gardens, planting it in a shady and semi-shaded place.

This comfrey grows to a height of 45 centimeters and blooms with pink or blue tubular flowers. The plant tolerates frost well, but is sensitive to sunlight.

Comfrey is widely distributed throughout Europe, but also grows in Asia. The plant prefers fertile moist soil and partial shade, so it can often be seen on the banks of streams and rivers.

For medicinal purposes, fresh comfrey leaves are used, which can be stored for up to a day in a cool place, for example, in a refrigerator. However, more often dosage forms are prepared from comfrey rhizomes. Since the plant is a perennial, root harvesting can be done at almost any time of the year.

When the roots lose moisture, they are placed in cloth bags and stored in a dry place for up to three years.If storage is planned for a long time or moisture is possible, dry roots should be placed in dry, clean jars, corked and ventilated periodically.

• The main feature of comfrey is the acceleration of tissue repair after damage, in particular, bone tissue.
• The leaves of the plant have a sour taste.
• The ability of comfrey to heal wounds has been known since ancient Greece.

• Flavonoids.
• Alkaloids (small amount).
• Tannins.
• Squirrels.
• Allantoin (the main compound of the plant, providing its properties).
• Vegetable mucus.
• Vegetable acids (rosmarinic, phenylcarboxylic).
• Inulin.
• Starch.
• Triterpenes.
• Vitamin B12.
• Tannins.

• Envelops.
• Tones.
• Relieves spasms.
• It has an antimicrobial effect.
• Reduces inflammation.

• Allergic reactions.
• Pregnancy (the plant stimulates the muscles of the uterus).

A large amount of livestock due to the content of alkaloids can cause tumors and liver damage. The use of the plant in small amounts is not harmful, however, Western medicine does not recommend taking either the plant itself or extracts from it.

The oil extracted from the rhizomes of comfrey is used in herbal medicine. It stimulates regeneration processes in tissues and accelerates healing, therefore, the reason for its use are fractures, bruises, various bone pathologies, abrasions, ulcers, wounds, fistulas and other tissue lesions. Comfrey oil is applied to the affected skin or rubbed with it on the limbs and joints two to three times a day, without washing off. Use the oil for at least a month or until completely cured. It can be used indefinitely in adulthood, and children (2-9 years old) are recommended for a course lasting up to a month.

It is extracted from both rhizomes and foliage. The juice from the roots is more viscous and is used to make homemade cosmetic preparations. To obtain it, the roots, just removed from the ground, must be thoroughly washed, cut into pieces and grated on a fine grater, and then squeezed through cheesecloth. Combining larkspur juice (two parts) with an infusion of chamomile flowers (one part), a lotion is obtained, used for enlarged pores. In its pure form, the juice of comfrey roots is applied pointwise to the skin, treating small scratches, acne, or areas of inflammation.

When bleeding from the nose, soak a cotton swab with juice, and then insert it into the nasal cavity. When filling a swab with blood, remove it and insert a new swab with juice until the blood stops completely (usually two to three swabs are enough).

The juice obtained from the young leaves of the plant is used as a prophylactic against atherosclerosis. It is taken three times a day in a teaspoon.

• All parts of the larkspur are edible.
• Young comfrey leaves can be stewed or baked in dough.
• Leaves cut from the tops are added to summer soups and salads.
• The leaves of the plant can also serve as a shell for any filling.
• Flowers are consumed with cheese. They are also candied and used to decorate dishes.
• A small amount of comfrey root can be seasoned with salads.

In 500 ml of chicken broth, put one carrot, two potatoes and one onion, then boil the vegetables until almost cooked.Next, add 50 g of comfrey leaves, after chopping them, as well as salt and parsley. Boil the soup for another three minutes and serve with sour cream.

• The plant is effective for problems with the joints, musculoskeletal system. Comfrey is recommended for fractures, arthritis, gout, arthrosis.
• Comfrey has a hemostatic effect. At the same time, the plant helps both with external bleeding (allantoin and mucus act), and with internal bleeding (active substances affect through the neurohumoral mechanism).
• A decoction of the larkspur root helps with chronic bronchitis, providing anti-inflammatory and expectorant effects.
• In diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, the infusion of the rhizomes of the plant shows its astringent, anti-inflammatory and enveloping properties.
• Milk infusion of the plant is recommended to be included in the complex treatment of bone tuberculosis.
• An ointment containing comfrey is used as a remedy for edema in the postoperative period, as well as after injuries. It is effective for trophic and abscess ulcers, as well as wounds that heal very slowly.
• Homeopaths use a remedy called Symphytum, made from comfrey root.

Due to a wide range of medicinal properties, comfrey is used in folk medicine.

100 grams of the root are finely chopped and poured with clean water (1000 ml), after which they are boiled for 10-15 minutes over low heat. After straining the decoction, it is used for warm compresses and lotions.

The tool is recommended for:

• bleeding
• rupture of ligaments,
• joint problems,
• fractures.

Immediately after the injury, you need to apply a chilled decoction to the area of ​​damage, and after a few days they begin to make warm compresses. A lasting effect of the procedures appears after 7-10 uses.

The fresh roots of the plant are crushed into gruel, trying to preserve the juice. Melted fat (lard, lard) is added to this gruel in the same amount. After insisting 24 hours in a dark place, this ointment is transferred to a glass jar, closed with a lid and kept in the refrigerator. The tool is used for any problems with the musculoskeletal system, joints.

Taking 100 g of dried comfrey root, as well as 200 grams of dried flowers horse chestnut, grind everything into powder, add five tables. spoons of vodka or alcohol and stir.

Having melted 400 mg of pork fat in a water bath, mix it with the herbal-alcohol mixture, then hold it in the oven for 3-4 hours. In conclusion, the ointment should be boiled for 5-7 minutes over high heat and strained through gauze into a glass container. The resulting ointment is used for trophic ulcers.

The agent is applied at night - the area with the applied ointment is covered with a film and wrapped.

Fill two tables. spoons of roots, placed in a thermos, two glasses of boiling water. Do not close the thermos for 15 minutes, and then close and infuse for another 5-7 hours.

Strain the infusion and take with:

• constipation
• peptic ulcer,
• gastritis.

Take 100 ml. 30 minutes before meals.

Use for 1.5 months, then pause the application for two months.

Powdered dried root (100 grams) pour vodka (500 ml). Infuse comfrey for two to three weeks.

Take forty drops half an hour before meals (drip in 1/2 cup of water) to treat fractures, joint problems, or ulcers. The tincture is especially effective if comfrey ointment is used at the same time.

For osteoporosis, treatment is used, which consists of 2 different recipes:

1. 0.5 tsp Pour comfrey with cold water. The mixture should be infused for 24 hours, dilute it with 0.5 liters. milk and put in the oven with a minimum fire for 3-4 hours. Strain the infusion and drink 1.5 tsp. after each meal (3 times a day). The course of treatment is 7 days.
2. For the next 7 days, comfrey from the 1st recipe, baked in the oven, is added with 1 tbsp. cottage cheese or honey. You need to eat this mixture after meals 3 times a day. The mixture must be stored in the refrigerator.

For gout, rheumatism, joint pain or rheumatoid arthritis, prepare an ointment from freshly grated comfrey root with pork fat and dimexide in a ratio of 1 part of the root to 2 parts of fat and 0.5 parts of dimexide. Dimexide can be purchased at a pharmacy.

Grade Goldsmith very picky about temperature and lighting. The leaves of this comfrey have a golden yellow border. The plant forms low thickets (up to 30 cm), and its flowers change color from pink to white.

In plants varieties Hidcote Pink and Hidcote Blue height reaches up to 45 centimeters. Their leaves are dark green in color, while the bell-shaped flowers are white-pink or blue. The reproduction of these varieties is vegetative. They grow well in partial shade.

The plant is quite unpretentious to the soil and can be grown on almost any substrate, if sufficient moisture is provided to it.Comfrey responds well to fertilization, increasing both its vegetative mass and flower size. Reproduction of the plant is possible both by seeds and by dividing the roots.

The plant can be grown both in the shade and in the sun, while comfrey grown in the shade will have a brighter color.

In the autumn, the vegetative part of the plant dies off and the underground part remains for wintering, which does not need to be covered.

Comfrey was mentioned by a scientist who was a botanist in ancient Greece, Theophrastus. The modern name of the plant appeared thanks to Dioscorides in the fifties of our era. The properties and features of the larkspur were described by Avicenna in his treatise "The Canon of Medicine", written in 1020.

In the 17th century, Moscow organized the creation of "apothecary" gardens, where they brought twenty pounds of comfrey (rhizomes) from Smolensk and Polotsk. The plant was studied by the botanist and agronomist A. T. Bolotov in 1786. Now in Russian pharmacies you can buy drugs that include comfrey - Zhivokost balm and Comfrey Ointment.