Common Name: Caucasian Comfrey

General Information

Symphytum caucasicum is a herbaceous perennial plant with long, thick roots and a reduced rhizome that produces a ticht clump of growth; it can grow 40 - 60cm tall
The plant is harvested from the wild and widely used both as a traditional medicine and also to make modern pharmaceuticals. It is particularly effective in treating cuts and injuries plus gastrointestinal problems. The plant is also used locally as a food and source of materials. It is sometimes cultivated on a small scale as a source of biomass and for its medicinal uses.

Known Hazards

No reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, but the following reports have been seen for Symphytum officinale.
This plant contains small quantities of a toxic alkaloid which can have a cumulative effect upon the liver. Largest concentrations are found in the roots, leaves contain higher quantities of the alkaloid as they grow older and young leaves contain almost none. Most people would have to consume very large quantities of the plant in order to do any harm, though anyone with liver problems should obviously be more cautious. In general, the health-promoting properties of the plant probably far outweigh any possible disbenefits, especially if only the younger leaves are used.

Botanical References

Range

Eastern Euroe - eastern European Russia to the Caucasus

Habitat

Humid habitats, shrubberies, glades, damp forest fringes, near ravines and at watersides; at elevations from 400 - 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Symphytum caucasicum is a fairly cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -20°c[].
Tolerates most soils and situations but prefers a moist soil and some shade[, ]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Best grown in an open sunny site in a deep rich soil if it is being grown for compost material[].

Edible Uses

Young leaves are used in salads and soups, adult leaves as spinach[].

Medicinal

The roots are antiinflammatory, antiseptic and haemostatic[]. Both infusions and decoctions are used to stop haemorrhage[]. An infusion is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and other gastroenteric diseases[].
Used externally, either as an infusion of the root or as an ointment made from the roots, the plant is used for many purposes including:- in baths; as a compress for fractures, dislocations etc; to treat injuries and aching joints; to ease various skin diseases, and to remove old and badly healing wounds and ulcers[]. The roots are a good remedy for sciatic nerve inflammation and for fractures[].

Both the leaves and the roots are used to make salves and to cure fractures, whilst the leaves are also applied to furuncles[].

The roots contain tannins, essential oils, choline, allantoin, and asparagine acid[].

The roots are used as raw material for making both modern pharmaceuticals and for traditional medicine[].

Agroforestry Uses:

An extract of the plant can stimulate plant growth[].

Other Uses

A dye solution is prepared from root to obtain red and violet colour and used for dyeing wool yarn as well as products made of wool[]

Propagation

Seed -