160 
NAT. ORDER. BORAGINEjE. 
mon garden plant cultivated both in America and England, and is often 
found growing- by the side of old ditches. It flowers from June till 
September. 
Propagation and Culture. All the species of Comfrey are ex- 
tremely hardy, and will grow in any soil and situation ; some are very 
handsome border flowers, and are well fitted for woods or shrubbe- 
ries, as they will grow under the shade of trees and shrubs ; they are 
easily increased by dividing the roots in the spring, or by seeds, but 
the former mode is preferable. 
Medical Properties and Uses. The root of Comfrey, though rare- 
ly used, promises all the advantages to be derived from that of marsh- 
mallow : according to recent investigations we find, that the dried root, 
boiled in water, renders a large proportion of the fluid slimy ; and the 
decoctions inspissated, yield a strong flavorless mucilage, similar to 
that obtained from althaea, but somewhat stronger-bodied, or more 
tenacious, and in considerable larger quantities, amounting to about 
three-fourths the weight of the Comfrey. Hence it is inferred that the 
consolida is rather superior to the althaea in many cases where that 
root is employed ; the mucilaginous matter being in both roots the only 
medicinal principle. Therefore, as the root of this plant is easily ob- 
tained, it may be conveniently substituted for that of althaea in all the 
compositions in which the latter is officinally directed or extemporan- 
eously, for the general purposes of an emollient and demulcent. This 
opinion seems also to have the authority of Dr. Cullen, who says, — 
" While mucilaginous matters are retained in our list of medicines, I 
do not perceive why the colleges have entirely omitted the Symphy- 
tum, for it may be of great service in diarrhoeas and dysenteries." 
