{"product_id":"comfrey-seedling","title":"Comfrey Seedling","description":"\u003cp\u003eAs comfrey rarely sets seed, it is generally propagated by division of roots; in fact, each\u003cbr\u003epiece of broken root has potential to shoot. Plant in a permanent position, as comfrey\u003cbr\u003ecan have a very long life. Andrew Hughes, who researched comfrey over many years,\u003cbr\u003esaid: “Your comfrey will outlive you and still be growing, if you treat it properly”. Choose a\u003cbr\u003esun or partial shade site, and loosen heavy, compacted soil. Enrich the soil with compost\u003cbr\u003eor a nitrogen rich dressing regularly, and water during dry periods. The more the leaves\u003cbr\u003eare picked by cutting or pulling at the base, the more the leaves will keep coming.\u003cbr\u003eRegular cutting will stop the plant from flowering so it can put this energy into leaf\u003cbr\u003eproduction. Plants clump thickly and expand but roots do not run, like mint. Do not plant\u003cbr\u003etoo closely to small herbs, as the large leaves of comfrey may shade them out\u003cbr\u003ecompletely. In temperate climates, comfrey goes deciduous in winter. On the Sunshine\u003cbr\u003eCoast, Queensland, we have leaves to pick all through winter.\u003cbr\u003eComfrey prefers humus-enriched soil (abounding in aerobic bacteria, fungi and micro-\u003cbr\u003eelements) to artificial fertilisers. It likes a slightly alkaline soil at pH 7.2 but will also grow\u003cbr\u003ewell in acid soil. It is only when comfrey roots get down to the subsoil, that the plant is\u003cbr\u003eable to draw up minerals from deep down; the plant then reaches its maximum in food\u003cbr\u003evalue, in vigour of growth and palatability for stock feed. Plants will produce copiously\u003cbr\u003ewith a plentiful supply of water, but dislike being waterlogged.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMinerals:\u003cbr\u003ecalcium, phosphorus, potassium, chromium, cobalt, copper, magnesium, iron,\u003cbr\u003emanganese, sodium, boron, lead, sulphur, molybdenum, zinc\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eActions:\u003cbr\u003evulnerary, astringent, expectorant, emollient, demulcent, antiseptic, pectoral, nutritive,\u003cbr\u003etonic, alterative, styptic, homeostatic, antioxidant\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedicinal Uses\u003cbr\u003eRecorded history tells of comfrey’s use, since ancient times, for healing. Dioscorides,\u003cbr\u003eauthor of one of the oldest herbal texts, ‘Materia Medica’ of 50 AD, prescribed the plant\u003cbr\u003eto heal wounds and broken bones. Many writers since have honoured the herb. The\u003cbr\u003ename comfrey is believed to come from Latin ‘confera’, meaning knitting together. The\u003cbr\u003egenus name symphytum means to heal together, and for this use, it is renown: that it\u003cbr\u003ecan assist the body to heal any part that is torn or broken, which also explains the\u003cbr\u003ereason for another common name, knitbone. Leaves or roots applied as a wash, poultice\u003cbr\u003eor ointment are used for bruising, sciatica, boils, rheumatism, neuralgia, varicose veins,\u003cbr\u003ebed sores, wounds, ulcers, insect bites, tumours, muscular pain, pulled tendons,\u003cbr\u003egangrene, shingles and dermatological conditions\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dielectric Organics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46768909779102,"sku":null,"price":3.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0653\/2336\/8606\/files\/comfrey-3-987x1024.jpg?v=1777363999","url":"https:\/\/dielectricorganics.org\/products\/comfrey-seedling","provider":"Dielectric Organics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}