Medicinal Monday... Wild Comfrey - Blue and Rare

This beautiful blue flowering plant is in the borage family and is native to the Eastern United States including Southern New England. It makes its first appearance in Connecticut in the spring. It was formerly far less rare in New England and Connecticut than it is today.

About Wild Comfrey

Andersonglossum virginianum known as wild comfrey is usually found in the forest in rich soil, on steep slopes, in New England uplands, and in recently burned areas. It is dependant on humidity, low temperature, and low competition. It has adapted the unusual ability to survive fire because it helps to eliminate competition and increases the light this plant gets so it can nurture itself.  It is an unbranched perennial that stands erect and has fine hairs on its leaves and stem. The leaves are simple and not separated into leaflets. They are denser at the lower end of the stem and get smaller as they go up. When blooming this plant has a light blue flower cluster, each flower has five round petals on separate stems. The flowers at the base of the stem develop first. The roots are thick and cord-like. The fruit is dry and does not split open when ripe. Wild Comfrey is in bloom from May to June and produces fruit from July to August. The flowers produce four grayish-brown seeds that stick to animals.

Medicinal Use

The Ojibwa use this plant as an analgesic. They burn the plant on hot coals and inhale the fumes to treat headaches. Wild Comfrey has also been used to treat wounds and to flush out any internal digestive disorders and respiratory infections. The Cherokee use the root compound to treat cancer. A tea is made from the root and taken to treat itches and urinary problems and is also used as a sedative.

Did You Know...

It is sometimes called blue houndstongue. It gets this name from the appearance of its leaves that resemble a dog's tongue. 

This plant should not be taken internally in great quantities because it can cause liver damage.

It was formerly placed in the genus Cynoglossum, it was transferred to the genus Andersonglossum in 2015.

In Connecticut, Wild Comfrey is considered extremely rare.