Monday, August 31, 2009

FOOD TRIAL: Comfrey

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is a hardy herb that caught our interest because of its beauty and its reputation as a super herb with a myriad of health uses. It is known to be a good source of calcium and protein, which also made it a possible hermit crab nutritive. It is thought to be a very healing herb, even being nicknamed "Knit Bone." It is used topically for cuts, sores, ulcers, and burns because it stimulates growth of new cells. It calms inflammation and aids the digestive and respiratory systems. (We would like to experiment with using it as a poultice for hermit crabs with shell rot and bacterial infections in the future.)
(photo)
Well, we experimented by offering both fresh and dried leaves. The hermit crabs enjoyed them in either form. The small flowers did not get much attention, but we consider them as safe as the leaves since the entire herb (flower, and leaf) are used as a whole herb in most cases. We hope to conduct future trials on the root.

1 comment:

Robert Julius said...

Cool trial! Definitely worthwhile.

Hopefully, I can get back up on my research and trials once summer arrives! I've been busy with school lately.