Some information about Comfrey, the herb

·              The Constituents of the fresh herb are : mucilage, steroidal saponins, allantoin, tannins, alkaloids, inulin, vitamin B12, protein

·              Action :  Comfrey can act as a cell proliferator, astringent, wound healer, expectorant (though I wouldn’t advise it taken internally unless you know what you’re doing)

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·              Application  - Aerial parts/root

o        Tincture Traditionally prescribed for gastric ulceration or oesophageal damage - take advice before using internally though

o        Poultice (Puree and use the leaves only) these can be applied to minor fractures, broken toes, ribs, hairline cracks in larger bones

o        Cream This is traditionally used for bone or muscle damage including osteoarthritis

o        Infused oil This is traditionally used for arthritic joints, bruises, sprains and other traumatic injuries

·              Application - Root

o        Decoction This is traditionally prescribed for inflammations of the digestive tract - but not that I would recommend

o        Poultice (Make a paste of root with a little water) and some say these can be used on varicose ulcers - but I would not like to do this without checking with a Doctor.

Danger ! Cautions

Topical applications should be used with care and not on broken skin

If in doubt, check with your herbalist or Doctor before using any herbal product.

My Use of Comfrey

My mother and my mother in law used Comfrey for painful problems with their legs   and other limbs after falls and bumps that did not break the skin. My mother in law used the fresh leaves of what she called Knitbone after she cracked bones in her foot after a fall,  and bound them against the sore limb using a bandage which she changes every day or two. My mother used to use the Oil of Comfrey on painful bruises or knocks on her legs and arms. I have used the fresh plant in a number of therapeutic ways that I’ll go through when I look at methods of using herbs another time.