Health & Hellness

Comfrey is a common plant with purple blooms that is quite controversial due to its supposed toxicity when consumed. It is a very unassuming plant that grows very deep roots and is hard to get rid of, even if you were so inclined. It looks like your average weed, but don’t be fooled! This herb offers a powerhouse of healing.

When I was getting certified as an herbalist, this herb caught my attention more than many others. I was enrolled in Dr. Christopher’s School of Natural Medicine to become a certified herbalist and was blown away at the testimonials of people who had used comfrey to heal deep cuts, sores, fractures, etc.

Comfrey contains allantoin, a substance that promotes new skin cell growth. Dr. Christopher claimed that it could even regrow bones! I have not personally put this to the test, so I cannot speak to this exact scenario. 🙂

However, I can attest that I have experienced it’s healing on many deep cuts, sores, and wounds. This herb can easily be made into a very effective salve.

It is illegal to sell comfrey for internal use due to the fact that it contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which can cause liver conditions. But topical use is highly recommended. And very effective.

So when can you use comfrey? How should you use it?

If you have a cut or sore, make a comfrey tea and soak the affected area. If you do not have comfrey salve, you can create a poultice of this herb to place on your wound to promote healing. You can use comfrey salve topically to prompt tissue regrowth.

One of my younger sisters was playing outside one day when my brother accidently hit her in the head with an ax. Blood was everywhere and the cut was very deep. My mom was freaking out, worried her child was severely hurt. While she probably should have taken her to the hospital, she stayed calm, and covered the wound with a comfrey poultice. My sister quickly recovered.

When I was a teenager, I was tasked with cutting the shrubs. I thought I could handle the chainsaw and started hacking away! Not long after, the chainsaw cut right through my leather gloves and almost cut the tip of my little finger off. The cut was extremely deep- I actually still have the scar.

Rather than going to the expensive hospital, my mother butterflied my wound and covered it in a fresh comfrey poultice while I drank cayenne pepper to stop the bleeding. I continued refreshing the comfrey poultice every few hours for the next two days. Even though a small scar remained, my finger healed very quickly.

I highly recommend checking out Dr. Christopher’s comfrey testimonials here as I cannot make medical claims. But these testimonials speak for themselves.

In short, do not take this herb internally, or if you do, do so at your own risk. You may want to stock up on this incredible herb. It should be a staple in any herbal first aid kit.

You can click here to purchase comfrey leaf or plant at Mountain Rose Herbs. This is where I buy my herbs when I do not have them planted in my garden or when I want to create my own salves.

Happy Healing!