Comfrey: Get this Herb a Cape

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Of all the herbs I have read about and used for first aid, I think comfrey is my favorite.

It can be useful in treating –

Abscesses – Breaks – Bruises – Burns – Cuts – Wounds – Eczema – Sprains – Ulcers – And more

Comfrey’s botanical name is Symphytum, from the Greek root sympho meaning “to make grow together”.  And it has traditionally been referred to as, “The Knit-Bone Herb.”

According to my favorite book on home health care, comfrey “doubles the rate of cell growth, rapidly speeding up healing rates.”

Doubles the rate of cell growth!

Rapidly speeding up healing rates!

 

So really, it’s kind of like the Superhero of the medicinal herb world.

 

 

 

 

I came to appreciate comfrey when I got a second degree burn from hot fudge.  Yes, you read that correctly.

I was heating a jar of hot fudge sauce in the microwave.  I got to chatting and when the microwave beeped, I absentmindedly reached in to take it out.  The jar was so hot, I reflexively dropped it, splattering the – extra hot – hot fudge not only down my leg, but also our guest’s.  Thankfully he was wearing long pants.  I was not.

Blisters appeared almost immediately, and it was quite painful.

Over the next few days, I applied a comfrey compress, and it healed up much quicker than I expected; and more quickly than other wounds I’ve had.

I haven’t had personal experience taking comfrey internally or using it for internal issues like fractures or ulcers, but as a topical treatment it has proven to be highly effective.

Before I describe how we’ve used it, I want to issue one warning.

**Do not use Comfrey on any wound that may have any infection in it.  Comfrey can heal the area so quickly that it can heal over the infection, trapping it inside.  That’s not good.  So—be sure to thoroughly clean wounds before applying.

Super-Herb to the Rescue!

Comfrey Compress

With my famous hot fudge injury, I used a comfrey compress to speed healing.  Here’s what I did:

• I steeped comfrey root in hot water for 20 minutes, covered.  Essentially making a very strong tea.
• Next I cooled the mixture, strained it and soaked a gauze pad in it.
• Finally, I applied the soaked pad to my burns, with a towel under my leg to catch any drips.  Whenever the pad seemed to be drying out, I would re-moisten it.

The cool moisture was soothing, and like I said, I was kind of amazed how quickly the wound healed.

 

Comfrey Salve

I use comfrey in my Herbal Healing Salve, which I always have on hand.  When I couldn’t be sitting with a compress on the burn, I applied this salve to the area.  The salve also has calendula, plantain, yarrow, lavender, and tea tree in it, all which protect and encourage healing.

 

If you are thinking of getting one herb to keep on hand and learn how to use, I recommend Comfrey.  I order mine at Mountain Rose Herbs.

 

 

** Information on medicinal uses for herbs are provided on this site for educational use only, and is not intended as medical advice.  I’ve made every attempt at accuracy,  but cannot make guarantees.  If you have any serious health concerns, you should always check with your doctor before self-administering herbs.**