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Herbal Wisdom:  Comfrey?  |
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5 acre Farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1007 Posts
~~~*Terri*~~~
WA.
USA
1007 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 29 2009 : 06:26:37 AM
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Hello Farmgirl Sisters...
I caught a really bad cold from my Grandbabys(of course,If Gma would not hug and kiss them so much, she probably would not have gotten it,,LOL!!!), anyhows......It was bad, I visited with a friend,and she suggested I drink comfrey tea, VOILA!...it worked, it's mucilogenous and broke up all of the stuff in my lungs.....tis good for all that ails, I also(years ago), burned my thimb on boiling lard, my DD just wrapped my thumb in comfrey leaves and wrapped with gauze, voila the next mornin' one could see the skin beginning to mend on the thmb(there was no skin left on it the night before)...tis a good herb to have around, I think!!!
Farmgirl Sister #368
"It is most common for man to value most what has least worth."
My Farm and Garden blog....
http://blogonthefarmandgarden.blogspot.com
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Sep 03 2009 : 03:31:40 AM
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Curious to know what you tea porportions were
Flu is already going on here
I have 2 comfrey plants
COmfrey is the powerhouse of the herbal world |
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Calicogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
5216 Posts
Sharon
Bruce Crossing
Michigan
USA
5216 Posts |
Posted - Sep 03 2009 : 05:29:33 AM
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I would be interested in finding out too! Every Fall I get allergies that congest my lungs (probably from the wood stove) I have a hard time clearing them.
Does anyone have a source for Comfrey? I haven't seen any plants or herbs around here. Thanks ladies!
~Sharon
By His Grace, For His Glory
http://merryheartjournal.blogspot.com/ |
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Miss Bee Haven
True Blue Farmgirl
4331 Posts
Janice
Louisville/Irvington
Kentucky
USA
4331 Posts |
Posted - Sep 03 2009 : 11:27:33 AM
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I have a small comfrey patch and I'd like for it go become a bigger patch. But I'm intending to use it as a fertilizer, which is what the woman who sold it to me said to do. She told me not to ingest it. So when I saw this topic, I looked on the internet and found the following statement on the American Cancer website, just as an FYI:
" When taken internally, comfrey can cause severe liver damage. Several studies have shown that comfrey contains toxic compounds called pyrrolizidine alkaloids or PAs, which can cause severe liver damage. Animal studies have also shown that these chemicals lead to the development of liver tumors.
Are there any possible problems or complications?
This substance may not have been thoroughly tested to find out how it interacts with medicines, foods, herbs, or supplements. Even though some reports of interactions and harmful effects may be published, full studies of interactions and effects are not often available. Because of these limitations, any information on ill effects and interactions below should be considered incomplete.
The internal use of comfrey is not considered safe. Experts strongly warn consumers not to eat or drink anything that contains comfrey. This herb should be avoided, especially by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. The U.S. Pharmacopeia (the U.S. compendium of quality control tests and information on drugs) reports comfrey should not be used on broken skin because it may be absorbed into the body.
In July 2001, the FDA advised supplement manufacturers to remove products containing comfrey from the market and alert customers to stop using these products immediately because of the serious health hazards associated with pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The Federal Trade Commission has also taken action against unsafe products containing comfrey. Severe liver damage and even death has occurred with long-term use. Kidney damage is also possible.
Common comfrey can be easily mistaken for other plants in the same family, such as Russian comfrey or prickly comfrey, both of which contain even higher levels of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid toxin. Poisonings have also been reported when foxglove or other toxic plants have been mistaken for comfrey.
Allergic reactions to comfrey, while rare, are possible."
Farmgirl Sister #50
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?"
'Br.Dave Gardner' |
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mustanggrl0526
Farmgirl at Heart
7 Posts
Becky
Cottonwood Heights
UT
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - Oct 02 2009 : 03:18:14 AM
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Hi girls,
Comfrey is an amazing plant. The tests the FDA and FTC have conducted are like most tests they conduct, they isolate certain chemicals in plants and test the toxicity of those chemicals. When the comfrey is taken as a whole plant it poses no danger. One of my herbalist teachers did the math and figures that in order to achieve the same toxicity level that was injected into the rats you would have to drink 40 cups of comfrey tea every day for roughly 100 years. Of course with all herbs you should take precautions such as cross referencing if you are on prescription meds and most herbs should not be taken in the first 2 trimesters of pregnancy. You want to make sure you use the comfrey species symphytum officinale, the russian comfrey is the one used for fertilizer. Just as an FYI a company locally here in Utah called Dr. Christophers makes two great products that are used for respiratory problems that work great for colds and flu when you're congested or any other reason you may have congestion. The first one is the Lung & Bronchial formula and second, the Respiratory syrup. Their website is http://www.drchristophersherbshop.com
You can't be a smart cookie if you have a crumby attitude. |
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Windsong
True Blue Farmgirl
309 Posts
LaVonna
Decatur
Tx
309 Posts |
Posted - Oct 02 2009 : 08:50:18 AM
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I agree, my home will never be without comfrey. Years ago I broke my leg and it was to take 6 months to heal. I took so much comfrey and it healed in 3 months. The Dr was amazed. Comfrey used to be in everything. The one used to clear colds was called comfrey and pepsin. It was so good to clean the mucous out.
But because it did cause problems we have to not suggest it be taken internally. I would say the choice is yours to make as you are the CEO of your body. I always have it on hand and if I break anything it will be used. I buy my comfrey from Mountain Rose Herbs.
I sell Natures Sunshine and they have two great products - ALJ and Histablock for allergies.
www.windsongwellnessandtherapyshoppe.com
http://sadiesfarm.blogspot.com/
http://healthtalkcafe.blogspot.com/ |
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ramonaj
True Blue Farmgirl
118 Posts
rhonda
gibsons
british columbia
Canada
118 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2009 : 10:18:29 AM
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For those who want to grow comfrey, all you need is a tiny piece of root to get it started. once it's established it will self-seed throughout the garden. bees love it, so if you want to attract them,, plant comfrey. this is truly an amazing herb. if you plant it in acid soil, it will help neutralize the soil! if i have a plant that is struggling, i make a comfrey tea and pour it on and the plant recovers. you can use the root for sunburn and many other things. i make a salve with comfrey and plantain that will knock out just about anything. i used it to cure my goats' mastitis since i couldn't afford a large animal vet and we don't have one here anyway. you have to be careful using comfrey on wounds that are infected as it will heal the skin without clearing the infection. that's what the plantain is for. i'm happy to share the recipe for the salve if anyone wants it. oh, and the FDA used way higher amounts of comfrey than any normal person ever would.
happiness to all sentient beings |
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emsmommy5
True Blue Farmgirl
1547 Posts
Angie
Buckley
WA
USA
1547 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2009 : 2:26:44 PM
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I have oodles and oodles of comfrey. I would be happy to send some starts to farmgirls who need some. Just remember it escapes! You need to plant it in a secure area, a pot or other way of keeping it in check.
I have read that the comfrey with purple follows is ok to ingest. The white flowers- not. All I have is purple. We use it for ALL kinds of ails and injuries. I make salve. Soaking teas. Poultices. Etc. Heavy tea in a bath to draw out toxins. All kinds of uses.
It's my one standby herb that I won't do without!
Do what you love, love what you do. |
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Noreen
True Blue Farmgirl
110 Posts
Noreen
Essex Junction
Vermont
USA
110 Posts |
Posted - Oct 30 2009 : 2:40:51 PM
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Dear Angie,
I am brand new to Farmgirl. I love it here. I have also been sick on and off since the kids went to school in September. When I read these posts , I thoguht that maybe this would be a good thing for me to take. I was just wondering how to find this plant and ther you go offering us some. Do you thing I could get a starter plant? I live in Vermont, do you think it would survive here? How would I find out how to make salves,etc. Thank you so much for your time. |
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emsmommy5
True Blue Farmgirl
1547 Posts
Angie
Buckley
WA
USA
1547 Posts |
Posted - Oct 31 2009 : 10:02:31 AM
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COmfrey can survive just about anywhere!! Send me an email with your address. Ask to include directions for making salve and I will send you it!
You just click on my name <----- over there and then click on send a message.
Do what you love, love what you do. |
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Beverley
True Blue Farmgirl
2707 Posts
Beverley
atlanta
Michigan
USA
2707 Posts |
Posted - Oct 31 2009 : 11:45:50 AM
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I don't want to be a pest but can I have a start too??
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett Beverley with an extra E...
http://bevsdoggies.googlepages.com/ |
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emsmommy5
True Blue Farmgirl
1547 Posts
Angie
Buckley
WA
USA
1547 Posts |
Posted - Nov 01 2009 : 08:56:00 AM
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Of course. I can send out as many starts as people want. Just email me!
Do what you love, love what you do. |
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Chives
True Blue Farmgirl
232 Posts
Victoria
Shelton
Washington
USA
232 Posts |
Posted - Nov 08 2009 : 10:25:06 AM
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| I would love to have the receipe for the comfrey salve. Do you put the salve on the goats te280ats? I would think it would be good for cows also. Thanks chives 280 |
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Rebekka Mae
True Blue Farmgirl
965 Posts
Rebekka
Moscow
ID
USA
965 Posts |
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emsmommy5
True Blue Farmgirl
1547 Posts
Angie
Buckley
WA
USA
1547 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2010 : 10:36:36 PM
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victoria and Rebekka... got your emails. Sent out an email to you both....
Do what you love, love what you do. |
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mayamade
Farmgirl in Training
30 Posts
maya
minneapolis
minnesota
30 Posts |
Posted - Jul 11 2010 : 09:25:11 AM
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| comfrey is in my top ten favorite plants. the wonders of it never stop. |
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Herbal Wisdom: Comfrey? |
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Comfrey?
