why permaculture folks love comfrey

[jmdrake]

I'm not into permaculture, but this is interesting. I have to wonder though. When they talk about comfrey putting down "deep roots" and "enriching the soil" it sounds like kudzu.

 

[amy31416]

Can't watch the video, but thanks nonetheless. I looked it up and will likely plant some as a future source of fertilizer.

 

[jmdrake]

Can't watch the video, but thanks nonetheless. I looked it up and will likely plant some as a future source of fertilizer.

You're welcome! It seems like there are a lot of medicinal uses for comfrey as well. From WebMD.

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-suppl...IngredientId=295&activeIngredientName=COMFREY
Comfrey is a plant. Even though this plant contains poisonous chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), the leaf, root, and root-like stem (rhizome) are used to make medicine. The amount of PAs found in comfrey changes according to the time of harvesting and the age of the plant. The roots have 10 times higher amounts of PAs than the leaves. Some products labeled “common comfrey” or Symphytum officinale actually contain the more poisonous “prickly comfrey” (Symphytum asperum) or “Russian comfrey” (Symphytum x uplandicum) species.

Comfrey is used as a tea for upset stomach, ulcers, heavy menstrual periods, diarrhea, bloody urine, persistent cough, painful breathing (pleuritis), bronchitis, cancer, and chest pain (angina). It is also used as a gargle for gum disease and sore throat.

Comfrey is applied to the skin for ulcers, wounds, joint inflammation, bruises, rheumatoid arthritis, swollen veins (phlebitis), gout, and fractures.

How does it work?

The chemicals in comfrey might have a healing effect and reduce inflammation when applied to the skin. However, comfrey contains toxic chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin.


Oh, I remember a while back we talked a bit about backyard fish farming without a pond. Well it seems like aquaponics is starting to boom. Check out some of these websites.

http://ibcofaquaponics.com/guide-to-aquaponics/methods-of-cycling/
http://www.aquaponiclynx.com/
http://aquaponics.com/

Basically the fish fertilize your plants and your plants filter the fish water.

I'm definitely going to build one of these systems over the next few months. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[amy31416]

Take pictures!

I'd love to do aquaponics as well, but just don't have the time/equipment/money. We're taking it slowly and still figuring out what plants we actually have on the property (first spring here). But we have planted a pretty full garden and a lovely little grove of fruit trees that are coming along swimmingly. Also just finishing up planting raspberries, strawberries and grapes. Still looking for some inexpensive blueberry bushes.

Eventually though, I'd like to go so far as planting nut trees, artichokes, have lots of medicinal (and perennial) herbs, along with a good, solid border of some sorts of evergreens for privacy. And build a pond...which is where the aquaponics starts to come into play--if all goes as planned, I'm thinking next summer.

All this is on hold until we get some necessary equipment and big gobs of money though.

Thanks for the links, I'll hopefully get around to reading them soon!

 

[jmdrake]

Take pictures!

I'd love to do aquaponics as well, but just don't have the time/equipment/money. We're taking it slowly and still figuring out what plants we actually have on the property (first spring here). But we have planted a pretty full garden and a lovely little grove of fruit trees that are coming along swimmingly. Also just finishing up planting raspberries, strawberries and grapes. Still looking for some inexpensive blueberry bushes.

Eventually though, I'd like to go so far as planting nut trees, artichokes, have lots of medicinal (and perennial) herbs, along with a good, solid border of some sorts of evergreens for privacy. And build a pond...which is where the aquaponics starts to come into play--if all goes as planned, I'm thinking next summer.

All this is on hold until we get some necessary equipment and big gobs of money though.

Thanks for the links, I'll hopefully get around to reading them soon!

Will do. I'm very short on money at the moment, but there are small systems that you can put together for $100 to $200.

 

[pcosmar]

I have an abundance of Comfrey.
I have read up on it and used some.

lots of my weeds,, as I search,, have multiple beneficial uses.

 

[amy31416]

I have an abundance of Comfrey.
I have read up on it and used some.

lots of my weeds,, as I search,, have multiple beneficial uses.

I'm thinking that we probably already have some as well. I already read up on how to split it just in case I need to move it. It's kinda like Christmas out here, as we're finding what we have as more things start to grow.

 

[pcosmar]

I'm thinking that we probably already have some as well. I already read up on how to split it just in case I need to move it. It's kinda like Christmas out here, as we're finding what we have as more things start to grow.

From what I understand,, and from my experience (I tilled some) all you need is a piece of the root.. and ground. It is hard as hell to kill.
and very easy to spread.

If you have some,, dig up part of the root and transplant it where ever you want it. Then you will have it in 2 places.

If you want some let me know,, I gots lots.

 

[ninepointfive]

learned something new - thanks!

 

[donnay]

I love comfrey!


Here is some great ideas to use comfrey:
http://canninggranny.blogspot.com/2012/03/herbal-medicine-part-5-comforting.html

 

[osan]

I'm not into permaculture, but this is interesting. I have to wonder though. When they talk about comfrey putting down "deep roots" and "enriching the soil" it sounds like kudzu.

Comfrey is nothing like kudzu that I can ascertain. Have plenty of it here.

 

[jobabe83]

I have a friend who's mom is an herbologist. Growing up around it, he is very well-versed in herbs as well. Comfrey is at the top of his list of herbs to grow and use, and have on hand in preparedness situations. It has so many medicinal/healing properties. Google it!