What does a comfrey look like?
What is worth knowing about this plant? Comfrey (Symfutym officinale L.) is a perennial plant from the coarse-leaved family (Boraginaceae). It is also called livestock. It grows almost throughout Europe and Asia (up to eastern Siberia), it is considered a common plant. It grows wild in wetlands and is also cultivated in gardens as an ornamental plant.
The erect stem is branched, angular, reaches a height of about 1 meter. The leaves of the plant are very long (about 50 cm), rough, pubescent. The root is taproot, thick and branched, goes into the ground up to 80 cm.
It has attractive purple-violet flowers, rarely white, resembling hanging tubular bells, collected in drooping inflorescences. Bloom from May to August. The fruit of the comfrey is a thorn.
The root and leaves are used for medicinal purposes, successfully used for fractures, burns and frostbite.
Due to the content of potassium, calcium and phosphorus, as well as vitamins and protein, it is sometimes used as a fertilizer in the household, and in some countries is grown for animal feed.
How to grow comfrey?
Easy to grow, can grow in full sun or partial shade. It is important that the substrate is fertile and sufficiently moist (does not tolerate drought).
You can grow it from seeds that are sown in autumn or spring. Comfrey is a frost-resistant species. It should be added that in addition to valuable medicinal properties, it also has a decorative function. It can also be used for the production of natural fertilizers and plant protection products.
Comfrey: uses and indications
What is a comfrey? What helps comfrey? This is one of the best herbs nature has to offer. Comfrey root has valuable analgesic properties, due to which it is used primarily for problems associated with the musculoskeletal system. Therefore, comfrey oil or ointment brings relief in the treatment of conditions such as: rheumatoid arthritis, pain associated with injuries, and dislocations.
Additional information ! With diseases of the joints. comfrey can work real miracles. By rubbing infused leaves on the diseased joint and adjacent bones and muscles, it restores the mobility of the joints and regenerates them. Comfrey ointment should also be used during the recovery period after bone fractures.
Due to its properties, comfrey is used primarily in the supportive therapy of diseases of the musculoskeletal system and dermatological diseases:
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- degenerative changes in the joints;
- discopathy;
- muscle and joint injuries;
- bone fractures
- states of muscle tension
- supports regeneration after injury,
- relieves symptoms of osteoporosis
- heals wounds,
- relief from burns and frostbite;
- pressure ulcer prevention;
- soothes skin irritations;
- facilitates changes accompanied by psoriasis, dermatitis.
In folk medicine, it is considered effective in the treatment of bone fractures, after physical exertion to relax muscles, and also promotes nutrition and skin regeneration.
Note! Not recommended for internal use. The discovery of poisonous substances contained in the plant led to a significant decrease in interest in the plant for many years, but it is perfectly safe when used externally.
It is also not recommended to use comfrey for deep wounds or ulcers, as there is a risk of these compounds entering the bloodstream and damaging the liver. Manufacturers, in turn, try to minimize the content of alkaloids in their preparations in order to make them safer.
You can use compresses prepared from fresh comfrey leaves. It is enough to tear them off, crush them, put them on a wounded or bruised place, bandage them and leave them on the skin for an hour.
Regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties are used for skin inflammation and all kinds of irritations, as they have a calming effect. Also reduces hematomas and bruises, regenerates and nourishes the skin.
The chemical composition of comfrey
One of the most important components of comfrey is allantoin, which has healing and regenerating properties (supports the formation of connective tissue), and therefore accelerates the healing of wounds and injuries. It is used for psoriatic lesions, sunburn, atopic dermatitis, frostbite and bedsores.
Comfrey preparations can be safely used for a maximum of 10 days.
Active substances:
- mucus;
- allantoin;
- tannins;
- starch;
- asparagine;
- saponins;
- acids;
- mineral salts (with a large amount of silicon);
- beta-sitosterol;
- amino acids.
Asparagine supports recovery processes after treatment. Tannins with anti-carcinogenic and astringent properties coagulate proteins, due to which they have an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin and mucous membranes, and inhibit minor bleeding.
Due to the fact that comfrey also contains allantoin, a heterocyclic urea derivative, this plant has a beneficial effect on our skin. The raw material can be found in many cosmetic products that help soften and moisturize the skin, as well as speed up the process of tissue regeneration. It is widely used in cosmetics to soothe dry and inflamed skin, as well as to care for very problematic skin.
How to prepare comfrey ointment?
Ointments are made from comfrey root. Comfrey can only be used externally as an ointment or gel for application to the skin. An infusion of leaves can be added to the bath for rheumatic diseases, gout, bone pain, damage to the intervertebral discs, as well as for varicose veins and bone fractures, regeneration and softening of dry skin.
Comfrey larkspur ointment can be purchased at any pharmacy, but it is easy to prepare at home. The root is obtained in spring or autumn in the second or third year of vegetation. It should be dried, after which you can make an ointment for compresses at home.
The root must be thoroughly washed, dried and finely ground with a blender or meat grinder. Depends on the recipe what to add to the grated root. Oil (such as olive oil, lard, coconut oil, shea butter, or petroleum jelly) can be added. The oil is heated to about 60 C, which helps to extract the valuable ingredients of comfrey.
Oil with comfrey is then left for two weeks in a tightly closed container – stirring from time to time. Then the mixture is filtered and poured into a vessel that is well insulated from light. Comfrey oil prepared in this way is a semi-finished product used for the production of ointments, but it can also be used in this form.
In the production of ointment with comfrey, a glycerin extract is used. The dried root is poured with glycerin (available in pharmacies) and left for a month. Then filter and pour into a separate vessel.
The last step in the preparation of comfrey ointment is the combination of semi-finished products. You can add beeswax or lavender oil to them by melting in a water bath. Mix thoroughly and pour into sealed containers until solidified. Comfrey ointment should be stored in a cool place, but not longer than a month.
Comfrey tincture: how to prepare and what are its properties?
Comfrey tincture, used for rubbing diseased joints and limbs, effectively restores their mobility.
Comfrey roots should be washed, cut into small pieces and put in a bottle, tightly filled to the neck. Pour them with food alcohol, close and leave for 14 days in a warm place (in the sun or near a radiator or stove). Comfrey products can be bought at pharmacies with various supplements.
