Comfrey, A Favourite When Giving First Aid
Comfrey Plant
Comfrey is a plant, where every part has medicinal value. Not only is the plant good to use medicinally, but it is great fertilizer for garden plants, especially tomatoes.
Comfrey is a favored herb that when applied to wounds, accelerates the healing of the tissue and skin. Fresh leaves from the plant when applied to open wounds, inhibits infections by contracting the wound in order for the wound to close. This speeding up of the healing process also minimizes scarring. Comfrey is commonly used in the production of ointments and poultices.
Products that commonly contain comfrey in the ingredients:
• herbal pastes
• ointments
• tinctures
• decoctions
• poultices
• cosmetics
• salves
These salves and ointments can be used to heal bruises, sprains, eczema, swellings and skin irritations and burns. In Chinese medicine, comfrey was used to heal broken bones and wounds from the battle field. Many herbalist and traditional medical practices enjoy using the leaves chopped up in salads or dry the leaves to use in herbal infusions. Comfrey is high in minerals such as zinc and vitamin B-12 and protein. Some caution on ingesting great quantities of the leaves as some studies have associated the plan with some cancers. For most the external use of the comfrey plant is the first one thought of to use to administer first aid for wounds, sprains and other injuries.
When the leaves and roots are steeped, the resulting liquid can be used to bathe the skin to relieve skin irritation and to promote the healing process. There is a debate about internal use, but many herbalists still consider the vitamins essential minerals worth the risk.
Comfrey is a native of Europe. The plant blooms from April throughout the summer. This plant is considered ornamental and once planted will reproduce easily. When harvested for medicinal use, the roots and leaves are collected and new plants grow from any root that remains.
For intestinal problems, the roots of the comfrey is crushed and boiled in water or milk then taken in a 6 ounce glass dose as needed. To make a homeopathic tincture to treat intestinal and stomach issues, can be made by adding the root to wine. Only 10 drops is needed to be added to water and can be taken several times daily.
Traditional medicine and homeopaths have used comfrey externally and internally to treat the following:
• bruises
• sprains
• burns
• swelling
• mouthwash and gargle for gum diseases
• sore throats
• stomach upset
• stomach ulcers
• hemorrhoids
• diarrhea
• broken bones
Comfrey is rich in Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B12, C and Vitamin E. The plant is also rich in these minerals; calcium, phosphorus, copper, magnesium, iron and zinc. Comfrey is an abundance of natural healing material in all parts.
Comfrey can be made into a poultice by grinding the leaves to make a puree and applying on the area affected by a minor fracture. These types of fractures are not usually able to be healed by putting on a plaster cast. Creams prepared by using the ground up leaves can be applied to damaged muscles and bones, especially areas where osteoarthritis is present.
Recipes
Comfrey Tea
For use with bronchitis and other respiratory ailments. Take one cup of boiling water and pour over 1-2 teaspoons of chopped dried comfrey leaves. Steep for 10-15 minutes and then strain off the liquid. Drink 2 cups daily until symptoms are gone.
Comfrey Herbal Tea Bath
Used to decrease varicose veins, soothe skin irritations and aide in muscle healing
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons Epsom salts
2 tablespoons dried comfrey leaves
1 tablespoon lemon verbena
2 tablespoons green tea
2 tablespoons jasmine flowers or other flower such as rose water.
Mix all ingredients together and place in a muslin or cheesecloth bag. Place a tie around the bag and place under the tap so the hot water can release the benefits of the herbs into the water. Soak until the water cools or add more hot water to extend the relaxation.
To treat acne or skin irritations, mix ¼ cup of dried comfrey leaves or roots with 11/4 cups of vodka. Allow to steep in a bottle for 4-6 weeks, filter through cheesecloth and discard the plant material. Store the tincture in a glass bottle and use as an ointment twice daily for acne or other skin irritations from bites.
Comfrey is a natural anti-inflammatory and analgesic and when used topically for sport related injuries have shown great success with its healing benefits. From spring to early summer, one can harvest the leaves and flowers to dry and use later for recipes. In the fall, harvest the roots and dry for later use in teas and poultices or salves.
Category: HERBAL REMEDIES, HERBAL TEAS, HERBS
