Amazing Comfrey - 'The Bone Healer' Amongst many other benefits
This weekend I went on my usual weekend dog walk around the stunning countryside near where I live. We were walking along when I came across this beautiful little plant called Comfrey. Many will often walk past without knowing all the amazing benefits that comfrey offers, so I thought I would share some information on this incredible little plant.
What is Comfrey
Comfrey (Symphytum caucasicum) is a common herb that grows in the wild in damp areas and ditches. They grow to around 3-4 feet tall, with large hairy leaves and these hairs can be irritating to sensitive skin. The roots are long and black and the flowers are commonly purple, pink, or white.
As well as being a wild plant, many gardeners believe that comfrey is a very useful plant to propagate and grow. All you really need is a little piece of root. Its leaves are full of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium which are beneficial nutrients for growing plants. This makes it a great organic fertiliser and chemical fertiliser alternative. Comfrey's roots create channels for aeration and better water absorption breaking up heavy clay in the soil. Its roots and leaves help to condition the soil-enriching its ability to feed plants and reduce insect pests at the same time. Comfrey has also been used medicinally for thousands of years. If you wish to grow your own comfrey, aside from propagating a piece of root, you can buy seeds from many places online such as Amazon for around £2-£3 and upwards. If you wish to buy in the form of a tincture or oil, you can also find them online from Amazon or many health food stores. You can also buy dried comfrey for around £5 upwards.
Health Benefits of Comfrey
Externally
Comfrey is known for its external healing properties and more. It is known as 'knit bone' as it contains the protein allantoin, which stimulates cell proliferation and promotes wound and bone healing. It is also anti-inflammatory, is a natural pain reliever, and promotes the healing of bruises and sprains. Comfrey is also beneficial in healing eczema, psoriasis, other skin conditions, insect bites, and burns, etc, and helps to reduce scarring. A soak or poultice can be made with Comfrey and Epsom salts. Other herbs such as arnica can also be added to the blend. Another popular use for Comfrey is in the form of a Salve using infused comfrey oil. This can be rubbed on areas of the body where it is needed. This is especially beneficial for sore muscles, joints, arthritis, and varicose veins. Comfrey root is used by many cosmetic companies due to its healing properties for damaged skin and hair. It is full of minerals and vitamins A, B-12, and antioxidants. It contains gamma-linoleic acid which is an omega-6 fatty acid. This helps to stimulate skin and hair growth.
Internally
CARE MUST BE TAKEN FOR INTERNAL USE- Generally, comfrey should NOT be given to pregnant or nursing mothers and it should NOT be given to young children internally or possibly even externally. If you are on medication, advice should be taken from a healthcare professional as to whether you can take comfrey. Some recommend that Comfrey is not taken internally at all.
Certain alkaloids contained in comfrey may make it problematic particularly to the liver if taken in high dosages. Some people will make a tea from the leaves which may be beneficial but this should not be taken as regularly as many of the popular herbal teas on the general market. The tea has been thought to help with ulcers, heavy menstrual periods, diarrhea, persistent cough, chest infections, cancer, and some of the other conditions mentioned in the external benefits such as sprains, broken bones, muscles, etc inside out as well. It has also been used as a gargle for gum disease and a sore throat. Again- ALWAYS check with a healthcare professional and/or a very well-established herbalist and/or naturopath when using comfrey.
Comfrey Salve
1 Cup of Dried Comfrey Leaves
Extra Virgin Olive Oil ( Enough to cover the leaves and a little extra to allow for expansion)
1/4 Beeswax Pastilles
Jar for the finished product
Label with date
Make a herbal infusion of the comfrey in the oil. There are many ways of doing so but I like to use the solar method. Place the herbs in a tight-fitting jar covered by the oil. Stir thoroughly making sure there is around an inch of oil above the herbs that have settled. Leave the mixture on a sunny windowsill for a minimum of two weeks or a maximum of six weeks, shaking the jar daily. Once these have infused, strain through a muslin/ cheesecloth.
Add the oil to a small saucepan with a small amount of water, add the beeswax pastilles, and stir, allowing the oil to blend with the beeswax.
Pour into the jar whilst still slightly warm, allow to cool then add the lid and label.
Simple as that!! You can buy the dried comfrey leaves or you can dry them using a dehydrator, air dry, or on a very very low heat in the oven- there is lots of online information on how to do this.
Disclaimer
As with most things in life, whether it be food, alcohol, shop-bought herbal teas, herbal medicine, or pharmaceutical medicine. How we use, current underlying health issues if you are pregnant or nursing, etc. ALL aspects have to be taken into consideration when it comes to use and consumption. Do your research ESPECIALLY when taking anything internally. When foraging for wild plants ALWAYS make sure that you are 100 percent confident in their identification and how to use them, dosage, etc. ALWAYS make sure that it is legal to pick the plants from where you are, especially when dealing with the roots of a plant and lastly- DO NOT be greedy. Just remember that many of these plants are the food source of many insects and other wildlife. Be mindful and leave plenty for them!
