Herbal medicine

Has many benefits for First Aid, Wounds, and Joint Pain

DIY, seems to be what I am always doing, especially as I live in Cambodia. Last week, my husband had quite an eventful day. He injured his knees while playing with our dogs in the garden. Given his background studying naturopathy at university and my preference for natural remedies over pharmaceutical medicines, unless necessary. I immediately reached for my trusted comfrey balm.

Comfrey has a rich history of medicinal use spanning thousands of years. Comfrey has an amazing ability to alleviate pain and stimulate healing. Recent peer-reviewed studies have affirmed that topical comfrey preparations, such as comfrey balm and comfrey cream, are highly effective herbal remedies for pain relief.

What is comfrey?

Comfrey, scientifically known as Symphytum officinale, is a perennial herb native to Europe and Asia, belonging to the Boraginaceae family. It is widely cultivated for its medicinal properties. The plant is characterized by its hairy, lance-shaped leaves and bell-shaped flowers that come in colours ranging from purple to white or pink, arranged in clusters.

Both Common comfrey (Symphytum officinale) and Russian Comfrey (Symphytum × uplandicum) are noted for their vigorous growth and invasive nature in certain regions. They spread easily, often sprouting new plants from small root fragments left in the soil. Despite their propensity to spread, these plants are highly valued in permaculture gardening circles for their deep-rooted ability to absorb nutrients from the soil. Their foliage is frequently harvested and used as nutrient-rich mulch or as a soil amendment.

The decision to grow comfrey in home gardens is a subject of debate due to its aggressive growth habits. My decision was because I love to try anything new, my latest is gardening. Effective management of comfrey plants requires regular cutting to contain its spread. But this practice provides ample material for creating herbal preparations such as my comfrey balm.

For those unable to grow comfrey themselves, dried comfrey leaf or root can be purchased online to make homemade balms. Alternatively, ready-made comfrey balms are available from small-scale producers on platforms like Etsy. Catering to individuals seeking natural skincare products without the need for DIY preparation.

Why use it?

The benefits

Comfrey is revered for its proven ability to reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and accelerate skin healing. This herb contains allantoin, a compound known for its role in fostering the growth of new cells and promoting tissue repair.

Historically, comfrey was ingested for diverse ailments, including broken bones. However, given its potential toxicity when ingested, comfrey is now predominantly used externally in the form of herbal balms or creams. Current knowledge advises against internal use due to potential liver damage risks. Nevertheless, comfrey remains widely used topically for pain relief and treating minor wounds.

Crafting balms is straightforward, requiring minimal ingredients and equipment, making it easy to make at home. Moreover, these balms are user-friendly and boast a long shelf life of 1-2 years, maintaining their efficacy without losing potency.

I rely on my DIY comfrey balm to alleviate my chronic low back pain. Which came from a car accident many years ago. Also as a hairdresser, I suffer from arthritis in my fingers, a common issue in my profession. My confrey balm heals this within a day and i usually do not have to use the balm again for a few months. Another condition of being a hairdresser is the varicose veins. My next job is to find a natural cure for them.

Comfrey in Medicine

Back Pain

Research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine highlighted the efficacy of topical comfrey creams in treating acute back pain. The study showed a significant reduction in pain intensity by 95.2% among those using comfrey creams, compared to 37.8% in the placebo group. Remarkably, relief was reported within approximately one hour of application. The study concluded that comfrey root extract exhibits potent and clinically relevant effects in alleviating acute back pain.

Osteoarthritis

Studies have demonstrated that comfrey salves can effectively reduce pain and improve mobility in individuals with osteoarthritis. In a study focusing on knee osteoarthritis, comfrey creams reduced pain by over 50% over a three-week period, compared to 10-15% with placebo.

I once shared my DIY comfrey balm with a friend from my writing group. She was suffering from arthritic and very painful knees. Within a few days of using the balm, her pain almost completely disappeared. After years of enduring discomfort, she was understandably shocked and grateful for the unexpected relief.

Another study supported these findings, acknowledging occasional instances of topical skin reactions to comfrey. While comfrey effectively relieves pain and improves mobility, it doesn’t seem to target the root causes such as inflammation or cartilage breakdown linked to osteoarthritis.

Sprains

Comfrey’s analgesic properties are beneficial for managing pain associated with joint sprains. Research suggests that topical applications of comfrey are comparable in effectiveness to synthetic prescription pain-relieving gels. Notably, these studies focused primarily on pain relief and did not investigate whether comfrey creams contribute to the actual healing of sprains.

From my personal experiences, I can affirm that comfrey effectively heals sprains. Just as the saying goes, “you are what you eat,” similarly, “you are what you experiment on.” This is why many pharmaceutical companies now prioritize human testing over animal testing.

These findings highlight comfrey’s efficacy as a powerful natural remedy for alleviating pain in conditions such as back pain, osteoarthritis, and sprains. However, it’s crucial to seek advice from healthcare professionals before using comfrey products, as they may cause skin reactions and primarily aid in symptom management rather than disease modification.

Precautions for Using Comfrey

1. Do not ingest comfrey! – Comfrey isn’t for internal use, and you should never ingest it in any form. Older herbal recommendations for consuming comfrey for bone healing are no longer advised due to the risk of liver poisoning and potentially fatal consequences in high doses.
2. Variability in constituents – Comfrey varies in its chemical composition based on the strain. Historical strains used for internal consumption are no longer cultivated or identified. Without specific chemical analysis, it’s uncertain whether some strains are safer than others, making internal use risky.
3. Potential for skin reactions – Some clinical trials have reported skin reactions in a small number of individuals using comfrey topically. Always perform a small patch test before widespread use to check for allergic reactions. This precaution applies to all topical herbal remedies, including comfrey salve.
4. External use only – Comfrey is strictly for external applications. Using comfrey in a balm is a safe and effective way to harness its benefits while avoiding the risks associated with ingestion. Plus if you make the balm yourself you know the quality.

Making Comfrey Salve

DIY an Infused Oil

Creating your comfrey balm is a straightforward process. It begins with preparing a comfrey infused oil, which is then combined with beeswax, melted in a pan and poured into jars. Yep. it is as simple as that to create a healing balm.

Heres how –

1. Comfrey leaves – Use dried comfrey leaves or roots to make the infused oil. Dried herbs are preferred as they won’t cause the oil to spoil during the infusion process, unlike fresh herbs. I usually cut the leaves and leave them hanging in the kitchen until they are dried, this usually takes a week. But I live in hot Kampot,Cambodia.
2. Find a Jar – Prepare a large jar that can accommodate comfrey leaves and enough oil to cover them completely for infusion. IYour jar size depends how much balm you want to make.
3. Carrier oil – To extract the beneficial compounds from the comfrey plant, you will need a carrier oil. Some popular choices include olive oil, coconut oil, and sweet almond oil. It is important to choose a carrier oil that is easily absorbed by the skin and does not clog pores. I use the neutral oil, olive oil. I our this all over the leaves ensuring they are completely submerged. This is to extract the beneficial compounds from the comfrey.
4. Infusion Time – Seal the jar tightly and place it in a cool, dark place for 4-6 weeks. Shake the jar gently every day to agitate the herbs and promote extraction of their properties into the oil.

Heat Infusion Method (for quicker results or when using fresh herbs)

1. Chop Fresh Herbs – If using fresh comfrey herbs, finely chop them to increase the surface area and enhance extraction.
2. Combine the Oil and the Herbs – Place the chopped herbs in a heatproof container and cover with your chosen oil.
3. Heat Gently – Create a double boiler setup or use a slow cooker on low heat to warm the herb-oil mixture. Heat gently for several hours (up to 10 hours), ensuring the oil does not boil.
4. Strain the Oil – After infusion, strain the oil through cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer to remove the plant material. Squeeze the cheesecloth to extract as much oil as possible.

Creating the Comfrey balm

DIY

Ingredients –

1. Beeswax – Beeswax is used to give the comfrey balm its solid texture and helps to seal in moisture, creating a protective barrier on the skin. It also adds a slight natural scent to the balm.
2. Comfrey oil – After infusion, strain the oil through cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer to remove the plant material. Squeeze the cheesecloth to extract as much oil as possible.
3. Optional ingredients – Depending on your preference and the desired effect of the balm, you can add additional ingredients such as essential oils, vitamin E oil, or herbal extracts. Essential oils like eucalyptus, lavender or tea tree oil can enhance the soothing properties of the balm. While vitamin E oil acts as a natural preservative. Herbal extracts like calendula or chamomile can add extra healing benefits. I use eucalyptus, as I love the smell and it is also good on joints.

Method

Prep Time: 5 mins

Active Time: 20 mins (Unless like me you get sidetracked by animals, teaching, writing or building.)

1. Stand a heatproof (usually glass) bowl in a pan of warm water. Make sure the water reaches halfway up the bowl
2. Gently heat the water and allow it to simmer for about 20 minutes or just when you see it bubbling
3. Add the infused comfrey oil to the bowl. As for how much it depends on how much you want to make
4. Add the chopped beeswax to the bowl too and stir. The more beeswax, the thicker the balm. As you can see I am a trial and error person.
5. Let it simmer until all the wax has dissolved.
6. Carefully remove the bowl from the pan and pour into the glass or metal containers you are using. If you are using glass make sure they will not break. As that is a real pain when they do, personal experience. Allow the mixture to cool and solidify.
7. Put a lid on it and keep it in a cool, dark place. They could be kept for several years.

Takeaway

Where to Buy Comfrey Salve

Making your own comfrey balm offers control over ingredients and saves you money, usually. Compared to commercially available options. However, finding standardized comfrey balms can be challenging due to varying potency in homemade preparations. You can actually find them. I researched several options, as I do. But, I found limited availability of standardized comfrey balms or creams. I will do some more research and get back to you.

Disclaimer

Always consult your doctor or a clinical herbalist before trying any new herbal remedy, as there’s always the possibility of unintended consequences, allergic reactions, or interactions with other medications. If you’re harvesting wild plant material, ensure you are 100% confident in your identification and consult multiple sources for verification. The following information is based on my research and personal experience, but I do not claim to have any certifications that would qualify me to advise you on your health. Please conduct your own research and verify with multiple reputable sources before proceeding with any herbal remedies.

Have you used comfrey to help a broken bone or for other uses? Please share below!