Nature has an abundance of exquisite flora, with plants and herbs possessing unique sets of healing properties. Comfrey is one such herb whose existence dates back to as far as 400 BC. According to ancient medicine, comfrey was used widely to help curb bleeding, solve lung problems, and also help heal broken bones.
The herb along with its medicinal uses was first discovered and put to use in Europe. This herb was then taken to various parts of the world by colonists and can now be commonly found growing wild in Canada, the US, and some parts of Asia.
Medicinal Compounds In Comfrey
It is a compound called allantoin, found in the roots and leaves of comfrey, that makes this herb so beneficial. Research suggests that allantoin helps the body grow new skin cells and also has the ability to help in regeneration of connective tissues. `
Comfrey also possesses high amounts of tannins and rosmarinic acid and tannins that help in skin cell growth. Other helpful compounds include mucopolysaccharides, vitamin B12, antioxidants, and proteins.
Skincare Benefits Of Comfrey Herb
Comfrey is known to be a skin-friendly herb. As mentioned before, comfrey is rich in allantoin, a compound which comes packed with chemicals that aid in cell regeneration and growth and helps protect your skin from damage. Because of this property, comfrey offers a number of skincare benefits such as:
1. Moisturization
Poultices and ointments made from comfrey leaf oil help nourish and moisturize your skin leaving it soft and supple. Being herbal in nature, this is perfect for those whose skin is sensitive to chemicals.
2. Skin Toning
Comfrey herbs have astringent properties, which helps draw the cells together so that your skin appears tight and toned.
3. Removal Of Blemishes
The allantoin contained in comfrey herb helps fight unwanted dark spots and blemishes on your skin. The moisturizing properties of this plant will also help smooth out rough and damaged skin and remove dead skin cells. Applying comfrey oil or ointments regularly will leave you with flawless, blemish-free skin.
4. Cures Skin Diseases And Conditions
The allantoin content in comfrey leaves and roots with their ability to repair damaged cells and produce new ones may help speed the healing of skin burns, insect bites and rashes, skin ulcers, and bed sores. It can cure various skin conditions like psoriasis, a condition where the skin becomes itchy and red and has scaly patches, and eczema, where patches of skin become rough and inflamed, causing painful blisters. You can either choose to directly apply comfrey ointment or a poultice made from the crushed leaves of the herb or by drinking comfrey tea made from comfrey root powder extract.
Hair Care Benefits Of Comfrey Herb
Who doesn’t crave for a healthy, lustrous mane? Opt out of using chemical products that will only damage the condition of your hair, you can get much better results by introducing comfrey in your hair care routine. This roots and the leaves of this herb is known to:
5. Control Hair Loss
Comfrey herbs contain plant proteins and are packed with essential minerals, antioxidants, and vitamin A. Applying comfrey oil directly into your scalp or drinking comfrey root tea can help reverse hair loss.
6. Conditions Hair
Store-bought shampoos and conditioners contain unhealthy sulfur compounds that strip your hair of all its essential oils. Comfrey, on the other hand, is a natural conditioner that can help solve dry scalp problems such as dandruff, and also conditions and nourishes the hair to make it look lustrous and shiny.
7. Detangles Hair
Mucilage, a plant protein, contained in comfrey helps relax your hair and easily detangles knots so you don’t have to go through hours of frustration after you step out of the shower.
Health Benefits Of Comfrey Herb
Comfrey is recognized as medicinal plants for its several health benefits. They are:
8. Treating Open Wounds And Diabetic Sores
Comfrey leaves can be crushed, juiced, and applied as a wet paste directly on open wounds and diabetic sores. This can help stop germ build-up that may be responsible for causing infections.
9. Healing Bruises And Bleeding
Comfrey leaves and roots are rich in tannins, a kind of compound that has an astringent effect on blood vessels. It is the tannin that is solely responsible for making comfrey herb so effective in controlling bleeding. Therefore, applying a poultice made of comfrey root powder and leaf juice, or drinking tea made of comfrey root powder can greatly help in curing nosebleeds, bleeding in skin wounds, and in reducing and speeding the healing of bruises.
10. Digestive Aid
Comfrey tea has long been used as an effective natural remedy for soothing the gastrointestinal tract to cure problems, such as indigestion, acid reflux, and heartburn.
11. Repairing Bone Fractures
Applying comfrey oil to torn ligaments or fractured bones when it’s not possible to place casts can help in promoting fast healing. The rosmarinic acid in comfrey aids in the regeneration of new cells and can even reconstruct torn and injured muscles.
12. Curing Dental Problems
Comfrey root powder is great for curing cavities and regrowing teeth, because of the ability of this herb to accelerate teeth and tissue growth.
You can use either dried or fresh or dried comfrey root. If you’re using the dried root, rehydrate it first by lightly boiling it for ten minutes. Blend in about a square inch of the rehydrated root with two or three tablespoons of water to make a liquid and swirl this around in your mouth for about 20 minutes daily. Ensure to rinse your mouth with this liquid in such a way that it reaches your gums and your teeth properly. Once you’re finished, spit it out.
13. Relieving Pain And Inflammation
Ancient Greeks and Romans turned to the comfrey leaves to heal fractures. The anti-inflammatory properties of this herb make it very effective in healing pain quickly. Drinking comfrey tea or applying a poultice directly to aching joints can also help cure rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
14. Curing Diaper Rash In Babies
Ointments and mild poultices made using comfrey leaf extracts can help relieve babies from diaper rash. This potent, yet mild herbal potion works gently on your baby’s delicate skin. It is, however, best to first test this ointment to see how your baby’s skin reacts to it. Apply a little bit first to do a small patch test. If that part of your baby’s skin doesn’t show any signs of irritation, you can continue applying the ointment.
Usage
Both the leaves and the roots of the comfrey herb are used in the preparation of various herbal potions. It is not known whether comfrey flowers can be used for medicinal purposes.
Methods For External Application
- Poultice – made from boiling, crushing, and juicing comfrey leaves
- Root Powder – Made from pulsing comfrey root
- Tinctures – made from dried comfrey herbs
- Oils – made from crushing comfrey leaves
Methods Of Ingesting Comfrey
- Tea – made from comfrey root powder extract
- Oral Capsules – made from comfrey leaves and root extractions
Today, comfrey is popularly recognized by both farmers and practicing herbalists for its versatility in medicine.
While there is no denying that comfrey has a myriad of wonderful medicinal uses, it is still important to keep in mind that just like any other alternative or traditional herbal medicine, ingesting or application of comfrey herb should always be under the supervision of a herbal practitioner or your doctor. Natural herbs are fantastic healers but only when they’re used correctly. They can be highly dangerous if the wrong part of the plant is used or taken wrongly.
If you’re using a new drug, you may even face certain side effects, or make a mistake in the dosage amount that could make you horribly sick. Therefore, stay in touch with your herbalist or doctor all throughout your period of usage, especially if you’re expecting, nursing, or are on any other medication.
