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Herbs > COMFREY (Symphytum Officianale)
Other names: blackwort, bruisewort, knitbone, slippery root, consolida.
Healing uses:
Comfrey’s alternative name of
"knitbone" gives some clue as to the major
use of the herb. It contains allantoin, which
encourages cell division. It also combats bacteria
and eases pain. As such, it is used most frequently
for the healing of wounds. For cuts and grazes,
macerated oil is effective.
Macerated Comfrey Oil:
In a 1 litre container, place 3 tablespoons
of fresh comfrey, 1/2 litre of sweet almond oil and 1
tablespoon of wine vinegar. Close the container and
place in a very warm or sunny place for a week,
shaking thoroughly each day. After a week, strain the
liquid and repeat the process using the oil produced
so far in place of the sweet almond oil. Repeat the
process at least three times. When complete, strain
the oil and store it in a dark glass container and
keep it in a cool, dark place.
For more serious injuries, such
as sprains and burns, a poultice can be used. This
can be used on cuts and grazes, too, and is also
effective on a broken bone prior to it being set.
Comfrey Poultice:
Crush 1/2 cup of fresh comfrey and heat it
in a bowl over a container of boiling water for 10
minutes. Place the herb between two pieces of gauze
and apply directly to the effected area. The comfrey
will retain its heat longer if it is mixed with a
little bread or bran before heating.
To cure corns, place a large
comfrey leaf crushed into a ball over the corn and
hold it in place with a band-aid, then cover the foot
with a sock. Do this just before bed and by the
morning the corn should be gone.
Cautions:
Comfrey has traditionally been used as a tea
to ease and heal stomach ulcers and to sooth coughs.
However, recent research has shown that it can cause
liver damage and that it prevents iron absorption. It
is therefore not recommended to take comfrey
internally.
External application are safe,
however some people have experiencd a fatal allergic
reaction to this herb when eaten.
Other uses:
An infusion of comfrey and witch hazel can help to
smooth wrinkles:
Comfrey and Witch Hazel
Infusion: Place 2 1/2 tablespoons each of fresh, or 1
teaspoon each of dried comfrey and witch hazel into
an earthenware bowl. Pour 1 1/4 cups of water over
the herbs and allow to steep for 30 minutes. Strain
and bottle the mixture. Store in a refrigerator.
A portion of comfrey leaf held
in place with a band-aid is also said to cure warts
when applied each night for two weeks.
Testamonial:
I tried comfrey oil on my daughter's 50+
warts and within two weeks over 95% of them are gone.
The rest are fading fast. After freezing them
(twice), using every known over-the-counter wart
medicine and even trying scraping them off -- all
with no effect or making them worse, we finally found
something that wasn't painful and it actually worked!
I wish I could tell every person who has warts about
it. Its truely amazing! My daughter actually looks
forward to her daily 'foot massages' with the green
oil. The other kids are jealous, and I usually have
to find a boo boo to rub it on for each of them, too.
Amazing! Thanks for the suggestion! |
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