By: Hettie Basil Lighttower
In my adult years my mother acquired a plant from neighbors called comfrey. Mom said you can make tea out of it. Soon the plants began to heavily populate a certain area of the back yard. Their leaves were very large like plumes stretching high and in all directions. They really took over which caused them to get in the way of dad’s mowing the lawn. I don’t know if mom ever did actually make tea out of it, but I do know she really loved the thought of it.
Because I was an adult and had a home of my own, mom suggested that I transplant some of these comfrey plants into my yard. Because I was a busy full-time working mom I never took the time to transplant or even really pay attention to plants. I barely had time for the ones I already had in my own yard. Sadly, the comfrey plants never made it into my soil. I believe at one point mom even had dad to dig some up and bag them up for me. They even delivered them to me probably. The plants never got planted. By the time I got to them, it was too late. But I knew there was a small forest of them still available at my parents’ home.
Years have gone by, a new yard, a new house, mom has passed away and dad has simplified the yard. I recently asked him if there was still any of that ol’ plant called comfrey back there. He affirmed there was. I told him “I’d like to get some”. He assured me I was welcome to take all of it and get it our of his way. I think this coming spring I will do that.
You see, I have been researching about comfrey. And I had no idea it was such an important plant. Somehow it is much more important than I think my mom even knew. Quite possibly after dad reads this article, he may opt to change his mind about giving it up to me. That’s a chance I am willing to take because wait till you hear what I have learned! It is too good not to share!
It is not recommended as a tea and its compounds could be considered toxic to our liver. Don’t drink it as a tea until you do some deep diving research. Consult an herbalist about the tea drinking part just to be safe. And I am sure it has to be in small increments if consumed.
Comfrey has so many benefits! The most common way to use it is in a salve form. So if you know how to make your own salves, you’re in business. By simply rubbing a salve on a knee or elbow or shoulder, you can reduce inflammation and reduce pain. Comfrey will actually help your body heal faster. Even if you have a broken bone, say like a finger or a toe where you cannot put a cast on it, this comfrey salve would help the bones to heal that fracture. It has compounds in it that “knits” bone cells back together! WOW….. that is amazing.
It reduces pain in general and reduces inflammation. It is full of vitamins and trace minerals which promote overall wellness and strength. It will also help to heal skin issues.
So, for skin issues, whether they be an abrasion, bruise, insect bite or condition such as eczema this miracle comfrey plant will fix that. Our bodies have incredible abilities to heal themselves. When given all the proper tools, your body can efficiently do what it wants to do naturally. This is great news for anyone who is on a tight budget or just simply wants to do things more naturally.
Send in your notions and comments to [email protected]. I will include them in the next available column as per their arrival relative to the publication deadline of Tuesday by 12 p.m. of the same week. If you wish to be anonymous let me know. Kindness is contagious~*