Herbs & Botanicals

Product Description

Botanical Name: Symphytum officinale

Plant Family: Boraginaceae

Botanical Description:
Comfrey, scientifically known as Symphytum officinale, is a perennial herbaceous plant with a robust root system and broad, lance-shaped leaves. It can grow up to 1 to 1.5 meters in height. The leaves are hairy and can vary in color from deep green to bluish-green. Comfrey produces clusters of bell-shaped flowers that can be purple, pink, or white in color. The plant has a thick, black, and branched taproot, which is the primary source of its medicinal properties.

Introduction:
Comfrey has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine for its healing properties. It has been valued for its ability to promote wound healing, reduce inflammation, and soothe skin irritations. Comfrey is rich in allantoin, a compound known for its tissue-regenerating and anti-inflammatory properties. Despite its historical use, it's important to note that internal use of comfrey has raised safety concerns due to its pyrrolizidine alkaloid content, which can be toxic to the liver. Therefore, only external use and topical applications are recommended.

Preparations:
Comfrey Poultice: Crush dried comfrey leaves or comfrey roots to create a poultice by mixing them with hot water until a paste-like consistency is achieved. Apply the poultice directly to the affected area and cover it with a clean cloth or bandage. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes before removing. Do not use internally or on broken skin.
Comfrey Salve: Infuse dried comfrey leaves or root in a carrier oil, such as olive oil or coconut oil, using a low, gentle heat for up to several hours. Strain out the plant material and mix the infused oil with beeswax to create a salve. Apply the salve topically to bruises or sore muscles as needed. Do not use internally or on broken skin.