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The active ingredient in comfrey is
allantoin, which has been shown to accelerate cell regrowth and
rejuvination. With continuous use, comfrey is reported to regenerate
aging tissue. It has been used medicinally since 400 B.C.
Poultices made from the roots and
leaves have regularly been applied to broken bones and external
lesions. For bruises and external wounds or cuts, comfrey has
been shown to be beneficial and effective in destroying harmful
bacteria as well. As a matter of course, people were cautioned
against applying comfrey to a wound that was not cleared of all
dirt or foreign material first. So quickly was comfrey said to
act, it would cause the wound to close over the bacteria as well,
creating a more serious problem than the initial cut or wound.
Fresh leaves can be broken and mashed
into a blender and applied to the skin directly, or a solution
can be made by soaking dried leaves in hot water. Boiling water
will break down the allantoin, destroying comfrey's remedial properties,
however.
Uses
- Medicinal
- For topical use only!
My research data has been well-documented,
and indeed, comfrey has been called 'boneset' or 'selfheal' in
the old herbalist lore for generations. But it is no longer recommended
for internal use.
Besides allantoin, comfrey contains
appreciable amounts of Vitamin C and E and Beta-Carotene, which
the body converts to Vitamin A, the antioxidan nutrients. Sunburn
or other burns, insect stings and bites, chapped skin and poison
ivy rashes are all helped by the external application of comfrey.
I do use comfrey-infused canola oil
in my soap making recipes. I add mature
comfrey leaves to a pot then fill with canola oil and heat to
just under boiling, and allowing it to steep. When the oil itself
is a brilliant green in color, I strain the comfrey and begin
my soapmaking with the infused oil. Cold pasteurized goat milk
and infused comfrey/canola oil make up equal parts of my recipe,
so much of the benefit from comfrey remains in the finished soap.
Comfrey grows by root cuttings and
will become a very large specimen if allowed. Plant it in a semi
wild location where it can display it's large leaves and beautiful
flowers. Without winter protection, the leaves will die back at
first frost, returning when the weather warms again in the Spring.
Add comfrey to lotions and creams
to help keep skin soft and youthful. A warm comfrey bath soak
can be especially beneficial. The mucilage in comfrey leaves soothes
and softens skin while allantoin promotes growth of new cells.
A scrub containing comfrey is good to loosen dead skin and clean
pores.
Comfrey leaves, when mordanted with
iron, will produce a lovely rich brown dye for wool.
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