permaculture

[Scott Pittman <pci@permaculture-inst.org>]

> Hi Mikal and all
> My father worked in the Coal mines all his life and was injured in a fall of
> rock once... his doctor asked if we grew Comfrey and when told that we did,
> he prescribed a 'comfry poultice' which my mother made up and wrapped around
> his knee.... apparently it helped to reduce the swelling and bruising....
> this was 30 years ago and I don't remember (if I ever knew) the method of
> making a comfry poultice... but Dad/Mum and the Doc  reckoned it worked,
> there was some talk/publicity a while ago about comfry being toxic to
> humans, but the image of Dad regaining the full use of his knee with just
> the help of a few leaves, has stayed with me to this day.
>
> Pete

Russians use fresh cabbage leaves to reduce swelling, just wrap around the 
joint for overnight. Chopped fresh onions are good for bruises and swellings.
About comfrey being toxic - I heard that from an herbalist, too - she said 
there are two kinds of it, one heirloom, and the other one a hybrid for 
animals (?). She said unless you absolutely know what kind you have, be 
very careful. supposedly the hybrid is widely spread now all over, and can 
harm ones kidneys, if taken internally.

arina




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