what is comfrey? I read an artical a guy said he was giving calves comfrey does anyone no what this is ? i may be dumb for asking just wondering

-- jim smith (jismith2002@yahoo.com), February 16, 2002

Answers

Here is an article on Comfrey, http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/comfrey.html, it was written in 1997, so it may be out of date, as to any recent developments, but does address some of the history of comfrey.

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), February 16, 2002.

i give comfrey to my goats in the spring and summer when it is fresh. in the winter months i give it dried along with kelp and also nettle. It is very nutritous.

-- jan white (springcreekfarm52@yahoo.com), February 16, 2002.

For those looking for comfrey root cuttings, there is an ad for them in the March/April 2002 Countryside issue, page 59

To learn more about comfrey see if your local library can arrange to borrow a copy of Comfrey: Fodder, Foot & Remedy by Lawrence D. Hills. Harder for them to obtain would be Comfrey Report: The story of the world's fastest protein building and Herbal Healer, also by Hills. You might try www.eBay.com or www.half.com for copies.

There are a number of articles, etc. cited on www.google.com when you search on comfrey. Some note it should be given sparingly to adult livestock as it can cause liver damage. It is fine to feed to young stock.

It will grow in a variety of climates and soil conditions.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), February 16, 2002.

Comfrey is the herb no homestead should be without. A poltuce of the roots are known for their healing of cuts,or bruises. The leaves are nutritous and favored by most livestock. Rabbits, Hogs, Goats, Chickens etc.

-- Bruce Burdge (comfreybruce@richmond.com), February 19, 2002.

Be careful if using comfrey in open wounds that the fast healer does not seal an infection in; it is best to combine with an antiseptic herb for clean results. Also, although many people eat young comfrey, including myself, it is not recommended for human consumtion by the FDA for people. Many people feed it to livestock, especially rabbits. I'm sure calves can handle all the comfrey that you can feed them, at least in the spring, and early summer, when the leaves are tender, and sweet.

-- roberto pokachinni (pokachinni@yahoo.com), February 20, 2002.