Image by anemoneprojectors
Comfrey (Latin name Symphytum x uplandicum) has been used for thousands of years. It contains allantoin which is thought to stimulate cell repair and growth while also healing inflammation. As a plant you will find comfrey to have large green leaves and bell-like blooms in a pretty blue fading to shades of pink and purple.
Can be used for:
- Arthritis
- Gout
- Sprains
- Fractures
- Wounds
- Inflammation
- Ulcers
- Broken bones
- Cancers
- And much more.
How it can be used: (Due to the nature of the plant it is recommended by most that it be used only externally unless under the care of a professional.)
Externally
- Infusion
- Herbal Bath or Soak
- Ointment, Salve, Balm
- Poultice
- Compress
Growing Your Own
Comfrey is a sterile plant which means it can only be grown by root divisions. If you have a friend with a garden they might be willing to share or you could always order some. Typically once you get it growing it is not a hard plant to maintain and will grow crazy!
How To Make A Comfrey Infusion
- Add 2 ounces of comfrey leaves to a glass mason jar.
- Pour olive oil over the leaves until they are clearly covered leaving an inch or two at the top.
- Leave soaking for 5-6 weeks.
- Strain your infusion in order to separate your leaves from your oil. When you are done you will have an oil than can be used in healing and added to salves and compresses.
How Do You Use Comfrey?
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Under “can be used for”, it says “inflation”. I’m sure that should read “inflammation”. But if it truly can be used for inflation, I’m going to be planting it at my local gas stations, and I’ll send some to the White House! 🙂
I like this… Thanks
Hakan
I brought home a piece of comfrey from a friends’ home in Pennsylvania over 20 years ago. The original plant as well as several divisions still decorate the outside of my home. You can’t kill it! This is a good thing for me. I love the way it looks and the small purple/blue flowers. The best use for a large comfrey plant, however, was as a hideout for my Maine Coon cat, Rocky. He used to hide under the leaves and if anyone walked by he would pounce! He’s been gone for several years, now, but he still sits under (and I really mean under) the comfrey plants. I miss his pounces!
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