comfrey

Any of a group of plants belonging to the borage family, with rough, hairy leaves and small bell-shaped flowers (blue, purple-pink, or white). They are found in Europe and western Asia. (Genus Symphytum, family Boraginaceae.)

The European species (Symphytum officinale) was once used to make ointment for treating wounds and various ailments, and is still sometimes used as a poultice which is applied to the skin to treat inflammation. It grows up to 1.2 m/4 ft tall and has hairy, winged stems, lanceolate (tapering) leaves, and white, yellowish, purple, or pink flowers in drooping clusters.