Comfrey in herbal medicine
Comfrey (Symphytum officinaleis) a healing herb that stimulates the immune system and greatly speeds up the healing process. It is used externally in creams and ointments, and should not be taken internally or applied to deep wounds.
Comfrey is used for treating shallow wounds, scrapes, varicose veins, minor fractures, torn ligaments, muscle sprains, arthritis, burns, bruises, scars, bed sores, shingles, lung problems, itchy scalp, and hemorrhoids.
Comfrey helps heal broken bones.
Comfrey is also known as knit-bone or boneset since it can speed-up the healing of minor fractures. Use on toes, ribs, and other places where it is inappropriate to apply a cast.
A paste is made of the leaves and applied regularly until healing is completed. Comfrey can also be used in compresses, ointments, and poultices.
Dried roots and leaves from the comfrey plant are also made into creams and infused oils. Comfrey is one of the most useful herbal medicines known to mankind!
Read more about making your own herbal products at home.
Comfrey is a wonderful medicinal herb that speeds the healing process.
Comfrey is absorbed through the skin to mend cuts and wounds. It is used externally to encourage cell growth in connective tissues and underlying bones.
Comfrey is so powerful, that herbalists never use it on wounds where swelling or infection is present, since those type wounds need to drain. You do not want the surface skin to heal and close up before the underlying infection is gone, or a boil might form!
When comfrey is combined with thyme essential oil, lavender essential oil, or juniper essential oil, and applied to an injury, blood flow is increased. This helps with healing and works to lessen pain.
Comfrey is also good for insect bites, mastitis, and skin rash. Comfrey offers many healing benefits and should be in every home and herbal garden.
Make comfrey ointment at home.
- Comfrey ointment may be made by finely tearing two cups of fresh comfrey leaves into small pieces and adding to a cup of olive oil.
- Gently heat until comfrey leaves are soft.
- Cool and strain.
- Put this “comfrey oil” in a double boiler with two or three tablespoons of beeswax. Heat slowly, stirring constantly, until wax is melted.
- Use less wax to get a "gooey" ointment type salve, and more wax for a harder consistency.
- Remove from heat and cool slightly.
- Add a few drops of lavender or other your favorite essential oil before your ointment "sets up" or thickens. You can put it in the refrigerator to speed this process.
- Pour into a jar and store in a cool, dry location, a refrigerator is ideal.
- Use within a couple of months and discard if mold appears. This ointment is especially good for helping bruises to heal more quickly.
Comfrey powder for diaper rash
In the old days, dried comfrey root was ground into a powder and used to treat (and prevent) diaper rash. It was also applied as a poultice to the upper chest area in cases of asthma and lung problems.
Also, comfrey leaves were nibbled throughout the day to ward off asthma attacks, but this is not recommended since many other herbal remedies are better and less dangerous.
Scientific studies on comfrey
Studies prove that comfrey is efficient and safe to use externally for pain, inflammation, and swelling in cases of arthritis, back pain, and muscle sprains.
It is especially good for achy joints including the knees and ankles.
Two substances in comfrey, allantoin and rosmarinic acid, are responsible for the plants ability to stimulate re-growth of tissue. All parts of the plant are used in herbal medicine. Roots appear to be best for joint treatment, and the rest of the plant for wound healing.
278 people were studied to find out more about comfrey's healing properties. Tests proved that comfrey significantly helped wounds heal faster. Complete healing was almost 3 days faster for those that were treated with comfrey.
Tests also showed that older subjects responded even better that younger ones. Comfrey appears to be of great value for the elderly.
More studies were done on comfrey and its use in pain management. Comfrey root extract cream was found to reduce back pain, arthritis pain, rheumatism pain, and pain from blunt injuries like sprains.
Comfrey cream was also found to be useful when treating morning joint stiffness. After trying comfrey cream, 13% of people stopped using or reduced their use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
A cream with 35% comfrey root extract and 1.2%S methyl nicotinate is now available in Germany and Switzerland. Reports show that night pain is reduced by 45%, pain during motion by 47%, tenderness when pressure was applied reduced by 47%, and impaired mobility improved by 46%.
More studies on the medical properties of comfrey are underway. I expect scientists to find even more uses for this amazing plant.
Comfrey plants are heavy feeders.
Comfrey is a perennial that grows up to three foot tall, with fleshy roots. When mature, it has large, hairy leaves that measure about 20 inches long and feel rough to the touch.
Comfrey flowers may be blue, lavender, pink, white, or creamy yellow. To be happy, comfrey plants need lots of organic matter and rich soil.
It is a heavy feeder and does best when given a heavy application of manure. To increase plants, propagate from root cuttings or divisions.
Comfrey plants can live over twenty years so plant in a permanent location.
To encourage more leaf production keep flower buds cut off. Comfrey is best when used in dried form. Avoid fresh, young leaves. Harvest during the flowering stage for best results.
*Comfrey should never be used on deep or infected wounds because rapid surface healing can cause dirt and pus to be trapped in the body.
Comfrey use is restricted in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Germany due to the possibility of liver damage from internal use. Use comfrey only for a week or two unless under the supervision of an experienced herbalist.
Always consult with a healthcare professional before using any herbal remedy especially if pregnant, nursing, or taking other medications.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3491633/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3580139/
https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/comfrey
Blessings to you and yours!
Thanks so much for reading my blog. Jan.
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