comfrey

noun
com·​frey | \ ˈkəm(p)-frē How to pronounce comfrey (audio) \
plural comfreys

Definition of comfrey

1 : any of a genus (Symphytum) of perennial herbs of the borage family with coarse hairy entire leaves and flowers in one-sided racemes
2 : an herbal preparation of the leaves or roots of comfrey that is toxic if taken internally

Illustration of comfrey

Illustration of comfrey

comfrey 1

Examples of comfrey in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Equi-Clean grooming wipes are formulated with smelling herbs, including aloe vera, chamomile, comfrey, lavender and thyme. Alex Kushel, sun-sentinel.com, "Equestrian creates grooming wipes to keep horses clean on the go," 20 June 2019 This oil takes things a step further, combining comfrey root extract and vitamin B5 to leave your skin feeling supple and hydrated after use (not tight and dry, like other micellar waters *cough cough*). Maya Allen, Marie Claire, "Glossier's New $12 Milky Oil Will Change the Way You Take off Your Makeup," 19 Feb. 2019 In the next few weeks, visitors can expect to see monkshood, delphiniums, mock orange and comfrey blooming. Anchorage Daily News, "July is a great time to visit the Alaska Botanical Garden," 11 July 2018 Broadleaf Plantain Comfrey Another multi-purpose, easy-to-grow herb used for everything from arthritis to menstrual pain, comfrey is most commonly used topically nowadays. Sunset, "Top 10 Medicinal Plants You Can Grow at Home," 22 Jan. 2018 Moisture Bomb, on the other hand, is better for dry skin and is said to provide a whopping 26 hours of moisture, thanks to comfrey leaf, a powerful hydrating agent. Macaela Mackenzie, Allure, "Belif's True Cream Aqua Bomb Now Comes in Jumbo Size," 11 Jan. 2018 My chronically aching back might require a comfrey balm or a salt soak, depending on the level of discomfort. Jenna Wortham, The Cut, "Herbalism Started As a Hobby But Became Much More," 9 Jan. 2018 Wild senna adds nitrogen to the soil and attracts beneficial insects, comfrey brings up nutrients from deep soil and is medicinal for burns, and anise hyssop can be used for tea. Popular Mechanics, "How to Build a Garden That Grows Forever," 3 Feb. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'comfrey.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of comfrey

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for comfrey

Middle English cumfirie, from Anglo-French cunfirie, from Latin conferva a water plant, from confervēre to grow together (of bones), from com- + fervēre to boil — more at barm

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