How to Use Comfrey to Heal Wounds

Comfrey is an herb which has been used for centuries in folk medicine. Containing a substance called allantoin, comfrey helps new skin cells to generate. In addition to being used to treat wounds, comfrey salves and ointments are also used for sprains and fractures. Comfrey was historically used to treat gastrointestinal illnesses, but the FDA advises against this practice now because it was discovered that comfrey contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids , which can be toxic to the liver. Comfrey leaves can be used to make a salve, cream or poultice to apply to the unbroken skin of a wound.

Things You'll Need

• 2 cups olive oil
• 1/2 ounce dried comfrey leaves
• 1/2 ounce dried lavendar flowers
• 1/2 ounce dried calendula flowers
• 1/2 cup beeswax
• crock pot
• strainer
• cheesecloth
• 1 quart bowl
• jars or tins for storage

Instructions

1. Add all of the dried herbal ingredients to the crock pot and pour enough of the olive oil in to reach about two inches above the herbs.

2. Turn the crock pot on to low and allow the herbs to heat for about five hours, stirring at least once throughout this stage.

3. Place the cheesecloth in the strainer and strain the oil into the one quart bowl, squeezing the excess oil from the herbs.

4. Return the strained oil back to the crock pot and add the beeswax.

5. Stir the oil and beeswax mixture on low until the beeswax is thoroughly melted.

6. Pour the comfrey and beeswax mixture into individual jars and allow to cool before capping.

7. Apply the cooled comfrey salve liberally to bumps, strains and bruises. The salve may be reapplied as often as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a permanent marker to label the salve, including the date of creation.

• Unused comfrey salve should be discarded after one year.

• Do not apply comfrey salve to broken skin.

• Do not use comfrey salve internally.

References

• University of Maryland Medical Center
• Annie's Remedy
• Herbal Remedies Info