Fill a jar about 2/3rds full with dried comfrey leaves or dried comfrey root. Cover with a neutral oil, such as olive oil, and allow the herbs to infuse into the oil for about 4-6 weeks before straining. decoction/infusion ( I normally do lavender or chamomile however arnica would be a fantastic option for itsbenefits in healing bruising). Muscles and Joints: Use comfrey topically to relax sore, tight muscles and relieve arthritis pain. In some cases, it may work better than prescription drugs. 7) Edwards, Rebekah. “The Comfort of Comfrey: How ‘Knitbone’ Can Help Pain.” Dr. Axe, March 16, 2018. https://draxe.com/nutrition/herbs/comfrey/. 8) Johnson, Rebecca L., Steven Foster, and Andrew Weil. National Geographic Guide to Medicinal Herbs: the Worlds Most Effective Healing Plants. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic, 2014. A study on osteoarthritis of the knee found that pain was reduced by more than 50% with comfrey creams, as opposed to 10-15% with placebo during a 3 week study period. Another similar study confirms these results (but also noted a few cases of a topical skin reaction to comfrey.) Whether or not it’s a good idea to plant comfrey in your garden is up for debate, and you’ll need to cut it several times a season to keep it under control. That just means you’ll have plenty of potent medicine to harvest (and a great source of nutrient-rich mulch).

Traumaplant Comfrey Cream | Comfrey Topical | The Healthy Place Traumaplant Comfrey Cream | Comfrey Topical | The Healthy Place

In a randomized double-blind study of 278 patients with fresh abrasions, a topical preparation containing a 10% comfrey leaf extraction applied for 2-3 days reduced wound healing time of adults and children without side effects (Barna et al., 2012).Your oil is now ready to steep, so leave your jar on a sunny windowsill for about four to six weeks, giving it a shake every day. 7. Straining Your Comfrey Oil We left the poultice on one finger overnight and in the morning, there was a reduction of swelling in Skin reactions have been reported in a small number of people in the clinical trials I mention, and there’s always the possibility of an allergy. I’d suggest doing a small patch test before using too much for the first time, just to be sure that you don’t have a reaction. That goes for any topical herbal remedy, not just comfrey salve. Always consult your doctor or a clinical herbalist before trying any new herbal remedy, as there’s always the possibility of unintended consequences, allergic reaction, or interactions with other medication. If you’re harvesting wild plant material, make sure you’re 100% confident in your identification and consult multiple sources for your ID. The following is based on my research and experience, but I don’t claim to have any certifications that would qualify me to advise you on your health. Please do your own research and always verify with multiple reputable sources.) Benefits of Comfrey

Comfrey: Wound - The Grow Network 10 Medicinal Uses for Comfrey: Wound - The Grow Network

Fibromyalgia: Comfrey can be an effective part of your overall fibromyalgia management strategy. 6) Edwards, Rebekah. “The Comfort of Comfrey: How ‘Knitbone’ Can Help Pain.” Dr. Axe, March 16, 2018. https://draxe.com/nutrition/herbs/comfrey/.

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Topical preparations of comfrey are generally safe provided they are not applied excessively or to an open wound. This is because only a small amount of the pyrrolizidine alkaloids are absorbed through the skin ( Jedlinszki et al., 2017 ). When buying commercial brands, seek those that have had the pyrrolizidine alkaloids removed, if possible. Research on the Topical Use of Comfrey

Comfrey Ointment | Rub-on Balm Comfrey Ointment - Avena

and pains, joint problems such as arthritis, and help speed up recovery after bones have been injured. People with compromised liver health should likely avoid internal use of comfrey. Babies and small children should also avoid internal use, as should pregnant and nursing mothers. If you do ingest comfrey, you would probably benefit from taking it with liver protecting herbs, such as milk thistle or cleavers.The leaves and stems of comfrey contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can cause toxic damage if ingested in excess (Ulbricht, 2010). Thus, it is not advised to ingest herbal preparations of comfrey unless guided by an expert pharmacologist and physician. Learn more in The Comfrey Controversy: Can and Should One Use Comfrey Internally? As a beekeeper, stings are to be expected, especially in times of high stress. I got stung on the tender flesh of my inner thigh, not just once, but twice. Normally, I get a localized reaction from a sting, swelling and then itching for 2-3 days. But sensitive areas like the face or inner thigh can be painful and I expected a fair amount of swelling and itching.

Comfrey Uses and Remedies - Herbal Academy Comfrey Uses and Remedies - Herbal Academy

The opportunity to observe comfrey’s excellent ability to “knit a wound” presented itself when my husband sliced open his thumb. The cut was long and deep, and wild yarrow was the first plant applied to stop the rapid bleeding. Yarrow is an excellent styptic – its ability to stop bleeding has been known since ancient times, and legend has it that Achilles and his warriors carried yarrow into battle to treat their wounds. Comfrey poultices are fine to use with animals, too. If you’re having trouble keeping the poultice in place, try spraying the area with comfrey tea using a spray bottle. Garden Applications It’s always possible to have an adverse reaction to any medicinal herb, and plenty of people are allergic to even gentle herbs like chamomile. Always consult your doctor or a certified herbalist before trying any new medicinal plant. Often, they can have unintended reactions in combination with other herbs and supplements, and many herbs have side effects even when they are effective for their intended purpose. Directions: our Comfrey ointment can be applied directly to the skin to provide a wonderful bonesetter on fractures or healing breaks, creating a protective casing around joints and therefore it may be wonderful for arthritis and encouraging new skin growth. Apply directly to the affected area by massaging into the skin. Do not use comfrey for deep cuts or lacerations.

There simply haven’t been human safety trials with comfrey. This is no doubt partially due to ethical and safety concerns. Comfrey’s PAs may very well be dangerous to the liver. But we must remember that the presence of liver damage does not automatically mean that comfrey was to blame. We must also consider lifestyle choices, pharmaceutical use, and pre-existing conditions.