Season Window
01 Sep – 15 NovDamp ditches, riverbanks, old gardens and waste ground
Autumn root observation
Comfrey
Symphytum officinale
A familiar garden herb whose reputation is best understood alongside its serious safety concerns.
Harvest
How we meet this plant
Observe in place rather than digging roots; the plant can spread readily from root fragments.
Preparation
At the kitchen table
Do not prepare comfrey for drinking or eating. Licensed external products have specific safety controls.
Community Use
Why we teach it
An important case study in separating traditional practice from safe modern use.
Safety
Comfrey contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can damage the liver when swallowed. Avoid homemade internal remedies and seek medical advice before topical use.