comfrey
Noun: 1. A perennial herb (Symphytum officinale) native to Europe and parts of Asia, known for its hairy leaves and clusters of bell-shaped flowers, traditionally used for medicinal purposes. 2. The leaves of this plant, which can be used to make an herbal tea (tisane) or, when young, eaten in salads or cooked.
"Comfrey" refers specifically to the plant species Symphytum officinale and its components. It is primarily used in contexts related to herbalism, gardening, and foraging.
- Noun:
- The herbalist recommended a poultice made from comfrey to soothe the bruise.
- We planted comfrey in the shaded part of the garden as a fast-growing ground cover.
- For the tisane, she steeped dried comfrey leaves in hot water.
- "Knitbone": An old common name for comfrey, referencing its historical use in traditional medicine to aid the healing of broken bones and wounds.
- The plant called knitbone is actually comfrey.
- Common Comfrey: The most widespread species, .
- Russian Comfrey (): A hybrid variety often used in organic gardening as a fertilizer or compost activator.
- Knitbone (archaic/common name)
- Boneset (Note: This is also a common name for other plants like , so context is important.)
- Slippery root (historical/descriptive name)
While the primary meaning is the plant itself, "comfrey" often implies its historical and traditional medicinal applications, particularly for external use on sprains, bruises, and inflammation. Modern usage cautions against internal consumption due to the presence of potentially harmful alkaloids.
- leaves make a popular tisane; young leaves used in salads or cooked
- perennial herbs of Europe and Iran; make rapidly growing groundcover for shaded areas