Knit those Bones dear Comfrey

I know it’s morally wrong to be excited when my husband tells me he thinks he’s broken his toe..

My victim patient

But I have this beautiful patch of comfrey (Sumphytum officinale) growing you see.  Comfrey, also known as Knitbone.  Knitback.  Consound.  Blackwort.  Bruisewort.  Slipperey Root.  Boneset.  Ass Ear.  Apparently.  Now I have an opportunity to see if it can live up to its many names, though hoping I won’t make an ass’ ear out of it!

Comfrey AKA Knitbone

Ever since I told my husband about the time I thought I had wild lettuce growing in my garden and made delicious salads out of it… to be told in actual fact it was opium poppy seedlings- he’s never quite trusted me and my herb knowledge.  (In my defense; it was my first “adult” garden about 10 or 11 years ago and it didn’t harm me or my pregnant flatmate, eh Ange!)

But he graciously allowed me to experiment on him and even take photos!

Comfrey ready to be mushed

Using about three leaves, I made a poultice using my mortar and pestle.

Comfrey mushed

Then it was wrapped around his toe with a hot bandage holding it in place.

Comfrey AKA Knitbone, knitting bone!

We changed it twice; and that was my man done with experimentation’s.

I’m sure it sped up the healing process, which gets a grumbling concession from Mr Skeptic, so there we go!