Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) seeds

Comfrey is a very special indigenous plant. It is one of the most important European medicinal plants for the external treatment of muscle and bone problems like bruises, strains and sprains. For the production of the remedy, especially the dried roots and the leaves are used. What's so special about this plant is, indeed, also the lush root system that consists of many fleshy, up to 50cm long main roots. Single roots can reach a depth of up to 180cm.

In Switzerland, the large leaves of comfrey are furthermore used in the kitchen for wrapping dishes or for frying them in beer batter. They are very rich in protein and biologically valuable. However, the consumption of them should be kept in bounds as they can be oncogenic at overindulgence.

The small bellflowers are an excellent bee pasture. Especially bumblebees and other insects with a long trunk belong to the innumerable visitors during heyday.

Comfrey prefers moist, nutritious locations at moist waysides, banksides and meadows. It's known as an indicator plant for nutritious soils and contains much nitrogen and potassium in all parts itself. Due to this, the large leaves are well suitable for mulching beds and for the production of plant swills for the fertilization of other plants.