Comfrey

More surprises. Comfrey, an excellent healing herb, which I planted last summer in an old concrete urn, has survived winter and is coming back nicely. Here's something nice to do with comfrey:

Comfrey skin salve

2 cups olive oil

1 ounce (about two tablespoons) fresh comfrey leaves

1 ounce (about two tablespoons) fresh lavender flowers

1 ounce (about two tablespoons) fresh calendula flowers

1/2 cup beeswax

Put the olive oil and the herbs in the top of a double boiler. Gently cook for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring frequently—little bubbles around the edges of the oil are okay; bubbling throughout the mixture means it's too hot. Pour the mixture through a strainer to remove the herbs; discard the herbs and set the oil aside. Melt the beeswax in the top of the double boiler. When the beeswax is melted, add the strained oil and stir until completely blended. Pour the mixture into jars or salve tins. When it is cool, label and date it. The salve lasts about a year, more if it's kept refrigerated.