The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[armorfirelady]

lalaland, I've heard some pretty fantastic things about not only comfrey but plantain and its healing abilities. I finally got some seeds this fall and intend to grow some next year.

I have been reading about the comfrey as well. The plantain I have growing in the yard. I actually used some this year to make a salve for bug bites and it has worked very well

 

[islandgirl82]

I have been reading about the comfrey as well.  The plantain I have growing in the yard.  I actually used some this year to make a salve for bug bites and it has worked very well  

You can actually make a "spit compress" with plantain. Saliva has antibacterial properties to begin with and when a salve isn't handy...just chew up the leaves and apply directly to the bite.

 

[RedRidge]

I have been reading about the comfrey as well.  The plantain I have growing in the yard.  I actually used some this year to make a salve for bug bites and it has worked very well  

You can actually make a "spit compress" with plantain. Saliva has antibacterial properties to begin with and when a salve isn't handy...just chew up the leaves and apply directly to the bite.

Yep. ;-)

 

[Lacy Blues]

I cannot provide a link but I read somewhere online that some person had a horse that was suffering from some debilitating problem (cancer comes to mind but I'm not positive on that) and the vet ran out of treatment options. So, they decided to just let the horse live out the rest of its life on pasture. When they turned the horse loose, it ran out into the pasture going straight to a patch of plantain that was growing there. You guessed it... after some time (don't recall how much) the horse was cured of whatever the problem was.

I've read others but this is the one that stuck in my head.

You could probably find it if you were inclined to look.

 

[armorfirelady]

Quote:
Thanks !!

I cannot provide a link but I read somewhere online that some person had a horse that was suffering from some debilitating problem (cancer comes to mind but I'm not positive on that) and the vet ran out of treatment options. So, they decided to just let the horse live out the rest of its life on pasture. When they turned the horse loose, it ran out into the pasture going straight to a patch of plantain that was growing there. You guessed it... after some time (don't recall how much) the horse was cured of whatever the problem was.

I've read others but this is the one that stuck in my head.

You could probably find it if you were inclined to look.

You know my dog has had horrible time with hot spots this year. I have been thinking of using some of the salve on him to see if he gets any relief.

 

[Lacy Blues]

Let us know how it goes

 

[lazy gardener]

Re: Comfrey. Beware if starting it from seed, or getting it from an old planting. Comfrey is invasive. It spreads from roots, and also spreads readily from seeds. There are some new varieties which are sterile. So, you don't have to worry about it reseeding all over your property. The root systems go 10' deep, which is one of the reasons that the plant is so hardy, and provides such a nutritional boost to your compost. It mines minerals from deep in the subsoil. Any how, Bocking #4 is recommended for feed supplements, Bocking #14 is recommended for building compost. What ever you do, if you plant it, be sure you plant it where you want it to STAY! as it's difficult to get rid of, once it's planted. I've heard that the only way to get rid of it is to turn the chickens loose on it!!!

 

[armorfirelady]

Let us know how it goes

I will. I just went out and picked a bunch (I'm sure my neighbors were wondering what I was picking in the dark) and put it in the crock pot with coconut oil. I figure between the 2 of them he might get some relief. I don't want to keep giving him benadryl or put him back on prednisone.

 

[lalaland]

Thanks !!
You know my dog has had horrible time with hot spots this year. I have been thinking of using some of the salve on him to see if he gets any relief.

if the plantain doesn't work, the nustock will.

 

[lalaland]

Re: Comfrey. Beware if starting it from seed, or getting it from an old planting. Comfrey is invasive. It spreads from roots, and also spreads readily from seeds. There are some new varieties which are sterile. So, you don't have to worry about it reseeding all over your property. The root systems go 10' deep, which is one of the reasons that the plant is so hardy, and provides such a nutritional boost to your compost. It mines minerals from deep in the subsoil. Any how, Bocking #4 is recommended for feed supplements, Bocking #14 is recommended for building compost. What ever you do, if you plant it, be sure you plant it where you want it to STAY! as it's difficult to get rid of, once it's planted. I've heard that the only way to get rid of it is to turn the chickens loose on it!!!

I have no idea what kind of comfrey I have - I've moved some from place to place over the past few decades. It is the best thing if you have a bad scrape - road rash, very badly skinned knee, whatever. Throw some fresh leaves in a glass pie plate or baking dish, pour some boiling water over it, and it makes kind of a gel in a few minutes. Apply that to the skin (after you've cleaned out dirt), it is very healing. Not good on puncture wounds because it promotes skin growth so much that it will grow right over the puncture and seal it in.

My chickens ignore it. Bees love it. In a small garden it would definitely be invasive, but you can mow it down, too if necessary.