Take a look at comfrey, and tell me what do you see.
It’s a pretty flower, with soft lavender petals that droop off the end of its stem. While somewhat tall, its delicate stems can easily be broken in a gusty wind. Its leaves are wispy—not tough like other more traditional crops—and if you were to dig up the plants, you’d find the roots to be brittle. When compared to the farm’s notably strong creatures, like cattle and oak trees, comfrey is a somewhat fragile being.
At least that’s how it appears at first glance.
With strength that lies beyond its physical capacity, comfrey has been regarded in generations past as a potent medicine used to treat anything from coughs and upset stomachs to muscle aches and broken bones. Modern physicians even warn against consuming this plants because of its powerful phytochemicals said to cause liver disease and even death, though believers in its rich history continue to harness its healing abilities.
But the will of comfrey isn’t limited to the medicine cabinet. In the garden, it’s a force to be reckoned with—no soil too inferior for it to take up residence. Once established you will find the plant exerting its determination all over your garden beds, so gear up and prepare yourself. This comfrey plant isn’t going anywhere.
Take another look at comfrey. What do you see?
I see a role model on the farm. Comfrey handles its power—whether you regard it as damaging or healing—with grace and dignity. Its presence is notable but it’s not overbearing. We’ve all faced a season where our lives feel heavy and our strength is tested. You might feel weak, fatigued and run to the ground. Remember that it’s not your physical capabilities that will see you through that rough patch in life. It’s the desire and will to see your hard work come to fruition.
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