MEDICINAL PLANTS

Comfrey is a perennial herb, 60-100 cm tall, equipped with a beet-shaped rootstock, branched with black roots as thick as a finger. The stem is straight, angular, bristling and leathery, with branches at the top. The leaves are alternate, oval shape between lanceolate and narrow at the height of the petiole. The flowers are regular, pendants and stalked, forming peaks are very tight at the end of the branches. The calyx is funnel shaped. It breeds in very specific areas of the Pyrenees and the Aran Valley. You can also find it in abandoned fields, riverbanks and wetlands.

FLOWERING

It blooms from May to July, depending on the area where you are. Mainly interested harvest the root should be collected when the plant is dry in autumn or spring, because if we wait for new shoots take decreases the concentration in active ingredients. Once dug up the root, washed, cut lengthwise and dried at moderate temperature, then stored in sealed containers because moisture ruined the root.

APPLICATIONS

The root contains resin, gum, starch, abundant mucilage, small amounts of substance, choline, asparagine and a significant amount of allantoin, the latter being a white substance, crystallized, occurring in many parts, mainly as a result of excretion (in urine) - the metabolism of important compounds in mammals, but not in humans or in the higher apes. A long time ago since this compound was used to enable and encourage the formation of epithelial wounds and ulcers. It seems that this relates to the property that this plant has enabled the development of yeast and other fungi and some bacteria. It was thought that if I could promote this growth, could also activate the formation of new cells, including human body tissue. Currently recommends the use of allantoin with various antibiotics and bacteriostatic to achieve more rapid proliferation of healthy cells along with the elimination of infectious germs. Comfrey is especially useful in wounds, sores, skin ulcers and gastric ulcers, eczema, burns, itching and cracking of the breasts. It is important to note that its use should be limited to topical, since prolonged use by domestic channel is dangerous because it contains alkaloids dangerous to the liver, which can become chronically damage.

ADMINISTRATION

Infusion. According to some authors, is the only way to manage this plant effectively. It is prepared with 100 g. Of the plant are added to a quart of boiling water, then left to macerate for a couple of hours. The cooking is not usable because the mucilage and tannin content in the root form a precipitate unusable.
Grated fresh root. Is applied as a poultice directly over the area to be treated. Do not forget that this plant should be used only externally and under the supervision of skilled personnel.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Borraginaceas
HABITAT: Meadows near streams
FLOWERING: May, June and July
PART USED: Root
CASTILIAN: Consuelda mayor, suelda
CATALAN: Simfit, consolda
BASQUE: Zolda, kuntsuda

USES

Healing Moderate, Mild epithelializing, Mild Astringent.