Family Name: Boraginaceae
Botanical Name(s): Symphytum officinale
Popular Name(s): Comfrey, Knitbone, Bruisewort, Gum Plant,
Healing Herb, Knitback, Salsify, Slippery Root, Wallwort
Parts Used: Root and leaves
Habitat: Blackwort is native to Europe and Asia.
Description: Blackwort is a perennial plant with a stout,
hollow, leafy stem covered with bristly hairs and grows to a height of 2
to 3 feet. The lower, radical leaves are large, up to 10 inches long,
ovate shaped and covered with rough hairs. Its whitish or pale purple
flowers have a tubular corolla and appear from May to August. Its fruits
consist of four shining nutlets which are perforated at the base.
Uses: Blackwort is used as demulcent, anti-inflammatory,
astringent and expectorant. It is used to treat gastric, duodenal ulcers
and hiatus hernia.
