Dr. Christopher's Comfrey Ointment, 2 Ounce

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Ulbricht, C. (2010). Natural Standard. Herb & Supplement Guide. An Evidence-Based Reference. Maryland Heights, MO. Mosby Elsevier. Although it was commonly used internally for many years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as well as governing bodies around the globe, banned the use of dietary supplements containing comfrey and advised against any internal usage in 2001. Studies have found that it contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are toxic to the liver. Never use comfrey on an open wound or broken skin. People with liver disease, cancer or a history of alcohol abuse should also avoid even the external use of it. Studying herbal medicine, it is one thing to read about the healing power of the plants, but another to personally experience it. The more I work hands on with the plants – growing, harvesting, making medicine, sharing and using the plants, the greater my trust in their healing properties. They’re also simple to use and can store for extended periods (1-2 years) without spoiling or losing potency. Comfrey cream and comfrey ointments also work well, and I’ll cover those later on.

Healing with Comfrey and How to Use Comfrey Healing with Comfrey and How to Use Comfrey

Unlike drugs, dietary supplements are not regulated in the United States, meaning the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve them for safety and effectiveness before products are marketed. Choose a supplement tested by a trusted third party, such as USP, ConsumerLab, or NSF when possible. Leave the pots on one side with their lids off until the solution has solidified. Once hardened, your salve is ready for the next burn, sprained ankle, bee sting, or graze. Can a comfrey ( Symphytum officianale ) root extraction help ease aching joints and muscles? Many of those following the folk use of comfrey up to present-day think so. Additionally, there is scientific research demonstrating comfrey’s effectiveness at soothing muscle and joint pain, some of which are highlighted in this post.

Comfrey root extracts have been used by herbalists and in folk traditions for centuries to soothe aches and pains. Recent studies have suggested topical benefits, but more research is needed. As a Licensed Massage Therapist, I have personally made this comfrey cream recipe multiple times and given jars to my clients. Many have said that it has helped them with a variety of aches and pains! Legal status: Topical (on the skin) comfrey products legal in the United States; oral products are not; in 2001, the FDA) urged oral (taken by mouth) comfrey products be removed from the market. Research suggests rhodiola and ashwagandha work well together, but you may want to take them at different times of day. READ MORE Crunch up your dried leaves, cutting up the stalks if necessary. By doing this you reduce the surface area of the leaves thereby increasing the potency of your oil. Simple Food How to Stop Stress Eating Breaking the Pattern 7 Things to Do With Basil Beyond Pesto How to Make Herbal Infused Honey – Flavorful, Medicinal Easy Fermented Garlic and 5 Recipes

Use Comfrey to Help Heal Broken Bones - RemedyGrove How to Use Comfrey to Help Heal Broken Bones - RemedyGrove

Some clinical research supports the claim that comfrey has wound-healing powers. For example, a research review published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine found some evidence that comfrey can help heal abrasion wounds. The authors note that topical applications of comfrey appear to be safe, but more research is necessary to learn about the potential risks and side effects of using comfrey on your skin and wounds. Joint pain 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 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. Its name is “derived from the Latin word for ‘grow together’” and, for a long time, it was commonly known as Knitbone. What Do You Need to Make Comfrey Salve?Comfrey ointment can be used for relieving pain from sprains, arthritis and inflammation, as well as rubbing into bruises. Comfrey is said to help scar tissue to form, so this ointment may promote the healing of cuts and bruises. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. We’ve used grapeseed oil in the past and are currently using organic olive oil sourced from a local supplier. Other oils, like avocado and jojoba, are also effective, but substantially increase the cost of making your salve. Comfrey has some amazing benefits for cell regeneration and can be used to treat bruising, muscle aches Comfrey varies in constituents based on the strain, and it’s possible that the strains of comfrey consumed in medieval Europe were kept specifically for internal use. Those strains are no longer kept (or if they are, their ID and use aren’t certain). These days it’s impossible to know if some strains are safer than others without individual chemical analysis, and even then it’s not worth the risk.

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

In a study of 712 children with superficial wounds, applying a 25% comfrey cream for one week or up to two weeks (2-4x day) offered a strong benefit to risk ratio (Kucera et al., 2018). If you would like to learn about the best herbs for creating an herbal first aid kit, I share simple instructions for a DIY Herbal First Aid Kit.

Even if you receive treatment from a medical center or physician, comfrey can be a powerful part of your healing process. Smith, D. B., & Jacobson, B. H. (2011). Effect of a blend of comfrey root extract (Symphytum officinale L.) and tannic acid creams in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multiclinical trials. Journal of chiropractic medicine , 10 (3), 147-156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcm.2011.01.003 Salehi B, Sharopov F, Boyunegmez Tumer T, et al. Symphytum species: a comprehensive review on chemical composition, food applications and phytopharmacology. Molecules. 2019;24(12):2272. doi:10.3390/molecules24122272