Comfrey, yarrow and stinging nettle are powerhouse plants that play a key role in growing stronger, healthier, more resilient plants...but these three share a superpower!
Quick explanation: Stinging nettle, comfrey and yarrow are nitrogen fixing plants. Nitrogen gas is present in our atmosphere and helps plants to grow (think cover crops like beans and peas) but absorption of nitrogen is something only a handful of plants are able to accomplish.
Plant nerd explanation: nitrogen fixing plants have a symbiotic relationship with specific bacteria called rhizobia. This bacteria colonizes the roots and pulls nitrogen out of the atmosphere which in turn, helps plants to grow and thrive.
How? Nitrogen is a macronutrient that plays several key roles in plant survival:
- Nitrogen is a cellular building block for leaf and stem growth
- Nitrogen is a necessary component of chlorophyll production
- Nitrogen aids in absorption of phosphorus and potassium
Comfrey
You may know it by the name, “knit-bone” as throughout human history comfrey has been known to mend tissues, stimulate production of cartilage, tendons and muscles. It's an herb prized for its ability to rebuild the body.
Comfrey is rich in chlorophyll which acts as a catalyst to promote healing and is a valuable blood purifier. Scientific research shows that chlorophyll helps to rejuvenate old cells and promote the growth of new cells.
Many gardeners use comfrey tea to fertilize their crops. As comfrey decomposes, it becomes a nutrient-dense source of nitrogen and potassium, making it an excellent ingredient for both soil and foliar feeding.
Comfrey roots are expansive and grow deep into the subsoil, extracting vital nutrients from sources that most plants can't reach. It provides nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, along with a wealth of trace elements your plants crave, like calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, sodium, and zinc, as well a vitamin C.
Yarrow
Yarrow is an ancient medicine plant used throughout the ages known as Bloodwort or Wound Wort. Celebrated for its antimicrobial properties, yarrow is perhaps best known for its ability to stop bleeding, prevent infection, and promote wound healing. Additionally, it enhances blood circulation, alleviates digestive discomfort, lessens symptoms of colds and flu, plus aids in calming menstrual pain and postpartum bleeding. Yarrow can even reduce gum inflammation. So useful!
Many people use yarrow as a natural health remedy at home by simply steeping the leaves and flowers in boiling water to make a soothing tea for treating wounds. It is best to gather fresh leaves to apply as poultices.Yarrow grows wild in many disturbed areas during the spring and summer.
In the garden, yarrow blooms serve as natural pest control by attracting predatory wasps. Yarrow flowers are excellent for drawing many pollinators, particularly bees, which are especially attracted to the lightly fragrant white blooms.
Like comfrey, yarrow has extensive taproots that draw nutrients from deep within the soil, enriching it with potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and copper—elements that contribute to improved soil quality.
As a key ingredient in both our Sacred Soil and Sacred Leaf Tonic the botanical properties of this high mineral herb are extensive and work to protect and nourish your plants at a cellular level.
Stinging Nettle
Nettle is packed with essential nutrients like potassium, iron, magnesium, and calcium which strengthen the natural immunity of your plants, indoors and out! This boost of botanical goodness makes plants more resistant to disease and less attractive to pests over time.
Nettle teas are widely used as fertilizers, while nettle sprays are an excellent to deter pests. Stinging nettle is also used as an effective foliar feed, nourishing plants directly through their leaves. With all these benefits, nettle has become a key ingredient in our plant care tonics, ensuring that your plants receive a nutrient rich boost!
If you follow along our Sacred Elements journey, then you know our mission is to create environments to support well-being for plants, planet, pets, and people. We do this by offering thoughtfully sourced ingredients that work in harmony with nature. We hand craft, slow distill, and bottle them as concentrates to nourish your houseplants and garden. Plants feeding plants, nature magic in a bottle! Plants growing plants—this is how we close the loop of plant care, choosing solutions that work along with Nature, plant care made sacred.
Thank you for reading and for being part of our natural home and garden community! Happy Growing,
Karina and the Sacred Elements Team