CAPSULE 2
DRIED COMFREY
GALLERY
Photography by Jelani K. Asantewa
(Click to enlarge pictures)
The Drying Adventure
Dried Comfrey starts out alive. So that is where our adventure will begin.
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The Awakening
Mid-spring, as the snow melts, the new Comfrey begins to peek up through the ground. Flowers appear about two months later. The flowers are in bloom for about two weeks, then start to die down. When the flowers die down it is time to harvest, before the weight of the dead flowers pulls the stems to the ground.
Harvesting Comfrey
Comfrey Takes Several Weeks To Dry After Harvested.
Comfrey requires several weeks to fully dry after being harvested. Harvesting entails cutting the upper portion, the stems and leaves, of the plant as soon as the flowers die out. Once cut they are hung to dry. Drying time and the coloration of the crop is dependent on weather conditions.
Each harvest has its own color palette. The palettes range from various shades of green to deep brown.
Mountain Fables
"Natural" Open Air Drying
Mountain Fables
Greenhouse Drying
Mother Nature's
Un-Harvested Comfrey
Harvested Comfrey and Un-Harvested Comfrey have the same beneficial properties. The only difference is in usage. Harvested Comfrey can be stored for long periods and used to make personal care and plant supplement products. Un-Harvested Comfrey is solely a spatial soil amender specific to the space of ground it occupies.
Harvested Comfrey's properties are accessible immediately. Whereas Un-harvested Comfrey takes a long time to release its beneficial properties because it must be fully decomposed before they are released. Decomposition is slow process which depends on many factors, such as the weather and various natural and man-made elements.
Spatial Drying
When the flowers have died down the tall slender stems, which are heavy with spent flower and large leaves, droop and fall to the ground. Harvesting Comfrey promptly is essential, as fallen leaves become dirty quickly and are unsuitable for use.
Also, the plant has new growth several times during a season. Harvesting allows the plant to better focus on nourishing the new foliage.
The color of the aged dead plant takes on a grayish-dark brown or black tone and the once vibrant leaf and stem structures look frail. The discoloration of Comfrey is a normal parts of its life cycle. When left undisturbed, this process enriches the surrounding soil with vital nutrients, allowing Comfrey to perform as the exceptional soil enhancer it is celebrated for.
Slumber
The Awakening Returns
After a long winter's rest the cycle begins again. New growth springs up amidst the dried, decomposing old plant matter. It takes approximately nine months for the plant to fully decompose into the ground.
Mountain Fables
Dried Comfrey Has Many Uses
✾ Comfrey "PERSONAL CARE" Tea:
"PC Tea": A Versatile Soother
Comfrey Personal Care Tea is an essential household staple, offering versatile benefits for a wide range of needs.
For External Use Only.
Pain Relief Properties
The "Tea" may be used as a poultice soak to help soothe pain: muscle aches, sprains, bruises, minor burns.
Relaxation Benefits
It can be used as a Skin Astringent, Hair Rinse,
Foot Bath or as a
Relaxing Body Soak.
✾ Comfrey "PLANT CARE" Fertilizer Tea:
Indoor Plants
Indoor plants, from moss to flowering plants, benefit from having the added nutrients that Comfrey provides.
*Add Dry Comfrey to soil for slow release or as a "Tea" for a more rapid release.
Outdoor Plants
Annual and perennial plants, garden plants, fruit bearing bushes and trees all benefit from the nutrients Comfrey "Tea" provides.
Fertilizer Tea Remains
When the "Tea's" final soak produces clear liquid the leftover, decomposed plant is still valuable! Use as a soil enhancer in flower pots and around select garden plants.
✾ Comfrey "HEALTH & BEAUTY" Aids :
WONDERFUL FOR PERSONAL USE OR FOR GIFTING
A Base for Many H&B Products
Dried Comfrey may be infused in carrier oils (a process similar to making "Tea"), Once infused it can be used as is or combined with other ingredients to make Health and Beauty aids.
Health and Beauty Products
Dried Comfrey is used to create infused Comfrey Oil, which can be used as is or it can be used as a base for making: Salves, Creams, Liniments and Soaps. Also Comfrey infused oil mixes well with Essential Oils.
Personalize Gift Giving
A Dried Comfrey handmade H&B product makes the perfect gift for birthday, Christmas, or just to say,,, "Love you" or "Thinking of You". Or, gift a "Dried Comfrey Sample" to a curious craft enthusiast friend or fellow gardener for sampling.
✾ Comfrey "COTTAGE BUSINESS" H&B Aids
