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Comfrey medicinal. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

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Content

1. Photos, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism
2. Basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism
3. Botanical description, reference data, useful information, illustrations
4. Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology
5. Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

Comfrey, Symphytum officinale. Photos of the plant, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Sort by: Comfrey (Symphytum)

Family: Borage (Boraginaceae)

Origin: Europe and North Asia

Area: Comfrey grows in the temperate zones of Europe and Asia, as well as in North America.

Chemical composition: Comfrey contains allantoin, mucus, essential oils, flavonoids, carotenoids, acids, amino acids and other biologically active substances.

Economic value: Comfrey is used in folk medicine to treat injuries, wounds, burns, joint pain and other diseases. The plant is used for the preparation of cosmetics and in cooking. Comfrey also finds use in horticulture for soil nutrition and plant health due to its allantoin content, which is a natural plant growth stimulant.

Legends, myths, symbolism: One of the legends is connected with the mythical centaur Chiron, who was considered a great teacher and healer in ancient Greek mythology. Chiron is said to have used comfrey to heal the wounds of his disciples who were warriors. In Christian symbolism, comfrey is associated with Easter and resurrection, as its flowers open during Easter week. Comfrey has also been associated with Cerberus, the three-headed dog that guards the entrance to hell in ancient Greek mythology. Cerberus is said to have bitten Heracles and comfrey was used to heal his wounds. The symbolic meaning of comfrey is related to its ability to heal and repair tissues. It is associated with health, healing, restoration and resurrection. It also symbolizes power and strength, as its roots are able to penetrate hard ground.

Comfrey, Symphytum officinale. Description, illustrations of the plant

Comfrey, Symphytum officinale. Botanical description of the plant, areas of growth and ecology, economic importance, applications

Comfrey officinalis is a perennial herbaceous plant; species of the genus Comfrey of the Borage family (Boraginaceae).

Plant up to 1 m tall. The root is black-brown, long branched, departs from a short rhizome, tastes tart-sticky. Stem erect, branched, covered with stiff hairs. The leaves are alternate, oblong-lanceolate, petiolate, the upper ones are sessile.

The flowers are purple and pale pink. Blooms from May to October. The fruits are dry, breaking up into 4 nuts.

Distributed in the steppe and forest zones of Europe, the Caucasus, Western Siberia, Central Asia, East Kazakhstan, the Carpathians. Grows in wet meadows, thickets of shrubs, near ditches, streams, on peat-mineral soils.

Comfrey roots contain alkaloids lysiocarpin and cynoglossin, tannins, glycosides, mucus, gums, resins, essential oil, allantoin.

Honey bees take nectar from comfrey flowers.

Leaves go to salads and soups. Comfrey is studied as a vegetable and fodder plant (harmful in very large doses).

Underground organs give a red coloration.

Medicinal raw material is the root, which is dug in the fall.

Medicines from comfrey have astringent, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, enveloping, hemostatic effect.

A decoction of the roots improves tone, improves appetite, and is used for colitis, diarrhea, stomach and intestinal bleeding.

Mucous decoction and infusion of fresh roots are recommended for malignant neoplasms of various localization, reduce pain and inflammation.

Comfrey extract softens, heals the skin, causes rapid cell regeneration, promotes rapid hydration of the skin, giving it a healthy look, is used as part of aromatic bath oils. The decoction is used to care for dry and dehydrated, large-pored skin, with cracks in the skin, as well as for hair care, including with nested baldness.

Comfrey medicinal. reference Information

Comfrey is common throughout Europe, Eastern Siberia and the Caucasus. Prefers wet places, damp meadows, riverbanks and various reservoirs. Vigorously develops on freshly dug soils, in ditches, along roads and canals. This is also the reason for the Russian name of the plant. However, the Latin name comes from the Greek word "symphytos" - to grow together.

The fact is that ancient doctors successfully used comfrey in the treatment of wounds, ulcers, and bruises. And today, comfrey roots are used in folk medicine to treat bone fractures. Therefore, in Ukraine, comfrey is called larkspur.

However, comfrey is one of the most delicious wild plants, although some books indicate its toxicity.

In the north of Belarus, in Siberia and Altai, larkspur is still a favorite vegetable plant today. Borscht, soups, vegetable purees, side dishes and seasonings are prepared from peeled stems.

Author: Reva M.L.

Comfrey. Application in medicine

Two tablespoons of comfrey roots pour 0,5 cups of boiling water, boil for several minutes. When the roots are softened enough, they are wrapped in gauze and applied to sore spots of difficult-to-heal acne suppurations, rashes, and lichen.

Author: Reva M.L.

Comfrey, Symphytum officinale. Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology

Ethnoscience:

• Tincture for external use: pour 100 g of dried roots of comfrey officinalis 1 liter of vodka or alcohol. Insist for 2 weeks in a dark place, shaking occasionally. Apply topically to reduce pain and inflammation from cuts, sprains, and other injuries.
• Compress: crush fresh or dry comfrey leaves and apply to the affected area of ​​the skin. Fix the compress with a bandage or plaster and leave for several hours. This method helps with joint pain, bruising and other sprains.
• Root infusion: Pour 1 tablespoon of dry roots of comfrey officinalis with 1 cup of boiling water and infuse for 10-15 minutes. Take 1/4 cup 3 times a day as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent for stomach ulcers, gastritis and other gastrointestinal diseases.
• To speed up wound healing: crush fresh leaves and stalks of comfrey, mix with honey and apply on wounds or ulcers. Leave for a few hours, then wash off with warm water.

Cosmetology:

• Skin softening mask: mix equal proportions of freshly squeezed comfrey juice and olive oil. Apply to face and leave on for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
• Skin moisturizing cream: in a glass of water, infuse 2 tablespoons of dried comfrey leaves for 10-15 minutes. Squeeze out the infusion and mix with 50 grams of jojoba oil and 1 tablespoon of beeswax. Melt the mixture in a water bath and stir until cool. Apply to skin and massage until completely absorbed.
• Lotion for healing wounds and abrasions: mix equal proportions of freshly squeezed comfrey juice, chamomile and plantain. Apply to damaged skin several times a day until the wound heals.

Attention! Before use, consult with a specialist!

Comfrey, Symphytum officinale. Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

Comfrey is a perennial plant in the Boraginaceae family that is often used in traditional medicine. It is also known as comfrey or bluegrass.

Tips for growing, harvesting and storing comfrey officinalis:

Cultivation:

• Comfrey prefers sunny or semi-shady places, but can also grow in the shade.
• Grows well in fertile, well-drained, neutral to slightly acidic soils.
• Propagated by cuttings or seeds. Cuttings are best planted in spring or autumn, seeds - in spring or summer.
• Planting cuttings should be carried out at a depth of 5-7 cm, with an interval between plants of about 30-60 cm.
• Plant care comes down to regular watering and weed removal.

Workpiece:

• Comfrey is harvested at the beginning or middle of summer when it blooms.
• Collect the roots and leaves of the plant. It is recommended to dig up the roots in the fall, when the plant has already shed its leaves.
• The roots should be washed, cut into small pieces and dried in the shade for several days until completely dry.
• The leaves should also be dried in the shade until completely dry.

Storage:

• Dry roots and leaves of comfrey are stored in a tightly closed glass or plastic container in a cool and dry place.
• Storage of roots is recommended for no more than a year, and leaves - no more than 2 years, as over time they lose their medicinal properties.

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