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comfrey (KUHM-free) - n., any of several species of perennial herbs of the genus Symphytum, often specifically Symphytum officinale.
With "hairy, lance-shaped leaves and drooping clusters of small, white, rose-colored, or purplish flowers." Important as a traditional herbal medicine, as a topical salve for healing wounds as well as internally as an expectorant and for gastrointestinal troubles (though using it in an internal medicine is now illegal in the United States due to toxicity). Also known as knitbone, boneset, bruisewort, blackwort, and consolida. The common English name dates back to at least the 13th century, from Anglo-French cumfirie, from Old French confire, ultimately from Latin conferva, from a certain water plant mentioned by Pliny supposed to heal wounds, related to confervēre, to grow together, heal.
---L.
With "hairy, lance-shaped leaves and drooping clusters of small, white, rose-colored, or purplish flowers." Important as a traditional herbal medicine, as a topical salve for healing wounds as well as internally as an expectorant and for gastrointestinal troubles (though using it in an internal medicine is now illegal in the United States due to toxicity). Also known as knitbone, boneset, bruisewort, blackwort, and consolida. The common English name dates back to at least the 13th century, from Anglo-French cumfirie, from Old French confire, ultimately from Latin conferva, from a certain water plant mentioned by Pliny supposed to heal wounds, related to confervēre, to grow together, heal.
---L.
