Growing comfrey

[Guest guest]

Hi Anya,

 

> Now, Chris, for you, the bad news. Comfrey grown in the subtropics

contains

a very, very high amount of the liver-toxic pyrllizidine alkaloids (PAs)

that can really harm you. It's because we don't get the chilling period.

 

 

 

 

WOW, maybe I can grow it in a pot and then stick it in the freezer every

November until spring *lol*

 

 

> Somehow I guess, the chilling period up north retards the PAs. I

have a

beautiful plant in my yard, about six years old now. It's so weird. It's

not invasive, rarely flowers, just sits there, growing slowly and

meekly,

unlike any comfrey I've had before.

 

 

Thanks for all the subtropical gardening tips. Its a strange world down

here with pineapple sage and hibiscus growing perennially, banana tree

groves everywhere, lizards roaming around wild in the yard, frogs

scaling my walls outside the front door, wasps the size of dragonflies

and dragonflies the size of birds ....

 

 

> In a pinch, I might use a leaf for a poultice, but not I buy my leaf

and

root from the store, or a supplier in the colder climates.

 

I pretty much use comfrey externally, but I will keep your warning in

mind, no doubt!

 

> Anya

http://member.newsguy.com/~herblady

 

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom - acclimating to the new climate)

http://www.alittleolfactory.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Dear Folks,

 

My sister in Massachusetts sent me some comfrey roots and stems for

planting. I live in CENTRAL FLORIDA, where they are NOT

indigenous. I know the healing benefits of fresh comfrey, so really

wanted to make the attempt. SO FAR they are doing quite well -

appear to be growing new leaves, are hale and hearty. But whether

they can survive a Florida summer is anyone's guess. It won't be

because we didn't try.

 

Anyway, if anyone has any advice on how to do this, could you please

write me DIRECTLY at sunniegal? I thank you so much! I

get such a volume of email that I had to set this group to no mail

and have little time to catch up, which is why I ask that the

response go to my personal address.

 

I get a lot of information from you folks, though, and do appreciate

it.

 

Linda Yates