How to Use Comfrey
Comfrey is a popular plant for its many medicinal properties. It can be used externally in the natural healing of bruises, bone fractures, sprains and swelling. Comfrey has also been used internally to treat many different ailments, such as bronchitis and stomach ailments. However, the internal use of comfrey has now been linked to liver disease and is no longer recommended. The following steps will help you to learn how to use comfrey.
Instructions
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Understand that comfrey is also known as "knitbone" because of its ability to heal wounds and regenerate new cell growth. It can be used as an ingredient in making an effective burn treatment. There are many different recipes for making a comfrey poultice on the internet. If you have serious burns, you should see a doctor.
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Know that comfrey can be used to treat inflammation. Take fresh or dried comfrey leaves and steep in boiling water to make a strong tea. Soak a cloth in the tea, wring out and apply cloth to the swelling. Leave soaked cloth on for about 10 minutes, then soak the cloth in tea again, and repeat.
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Don't only think of comfrey for bumps and bruises--it can also be used as a hair rinse! You can make a tea with comfrey leaves or roots and pour it over your hair in the shower--don't rinse--and have softer, stronger hair.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure to buy comfrey and other herbal supplements from a reliable source.
Because comfrey contains a significant amount of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which has been linked to liver damage, comfrey is recommended for external use only. Avoid using on broken skin. Pregnant and nursing mothers are also advised against using comfrey.
