A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO COMFREY & ECHINACEA FOR GARDENING AND HEALING

By Shannon Haubrich, Leadership in Urban Agriculture Internship, Session III 2020

COMFREY

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(Symphytum officinale)
Native to Europe, western Asia
Perennial 

Comfrey digs very deep roots which absorb and redistribute nutrients in soil, which makes it an incredible ‘chop and drop’ fertilizer. It shades surrounding plants, acting as a living mulch, and when chopped, the plant breaks down, adding the absorbed nutrients back into the soil. Comfrey attracts pollinators, too!

MEDICINAL USES

  • Encourages wound healing

  • Diminishes scarring

  • Relieves arthritis and general muscle/joint pain

  • Provides healing for digestive ulcers

  • Eyewash for irritated eyes

*Take caution and research before using topically on an open wound or ingesting! Comfrey may re-bind skin and tissue too quickly, or seal in existing infection. It is also argued that comfrey, when ingested, can be harmful to the liver. Many people ingest comfrey in small amounts, but do plenty of research and ingest only if you feel safe.

COMFREY OIL RECIPE

Harvest comfrey leaves and allow them to dry overnight or in a dehydrator. Fill a glass jar halfway with the leaves, then cover with good-quality oil (cold-processed olive and/or coconut oils work well). Cover tightly, and let sit 4-6 weeks, occasionally giving the jar a light swirl/stir. After 4-6 weeks, strain out the herbs, and use the oil for topical application of comfrey as needed.

ECHINACEA

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(two common species are E. purpurea & E. angustifolia)
Native to North America
Perennial

Echinacea grows abundantly in Missouri! It attracts many pollinators like butterflies, predatory wasps, and pollinating flies, making it a great companion for certain vegetables like tomatoes and peppers. Echinacea is also known to attract the goldfinch, which is lovely to see and friendly to garden fertilization.

MEDICINAL USES

  • Healing for wounds, bites, and stings

  • Immune support (take with raw, organic garlic for a powerful kick to viral infections)

  • Strengthens and clears lymph nodes

  • Powerful against infections, internal or external (i.e. bladder, ear)

  • Can be used as a pain reliever (Echinacea’s numbing effect makes it useful for dental pain)

ECHINACEA TEA RECIPE

Harvest any leaves, flowers, or roots you’d like to use in your tea (or use dried, store-bought echinacea). Boil water, pour over echinacea, and let steep for 15 minutes. This long steep time allows the medicinal properties to be extracted, especially from the plant’s thick roots.