Comfrey to the Rescue

I move too fast. I think it’s because I feel like I have so many things to do and my body can’t keep up with my brain. This is why I grow Comfrey in my garden. Because I am constantly bumping into stuff…and banging my toes.

According to Herbal Academy:

“Comfrey (Symphytum officianale), a member of the borage family, is a fast-growing, leafy perennial. The Latin name is from the Greek symphis, which means “growing together of bones” or “knit together.” Comfrey has appeared in the Materia Medica since the Middle Ages and some references to the plant date back as far as 50 AD. True to its Latin name, comfrey was applied externally as a poultice for bruises, sprains and fractures. It was taken internally for a variety of medical aliments ranging from broken bones and gastric ulcers to the treatment of female disorders. Comfrey contains allantoin, a substance commonly used in the cosmetic industry. Allantoin promotes granulation and cell formation which aids in healing at the cellular level. It has both anti-inflamatory and keratinolytic effects and is useful in the treatment of skin conditions following post radiation in cancer patients.”

 

Yesterday, I was rushing into the garage, slipped and crushed my toes into the doorway of the garage, effectively removing parts of my toenails and causing great swelling and pain in my middle three toes. After a few choice words, some hopping about and then the hobbling…I went right for my Knit Together Salve and rubbed it all over my toes. Then I shuffled out to the garden and picked a huge handful of comfrey leaves to make a poultice.

Comfrey Poultice

• muslin or some thin cloths
• handful of clean comfrey leaves
• boiling water

Chop, cut or tear up the comfrey leaves.

Put the comfrey leaves bits in a heat-proof bowl.

Pour boiling water over the leaves just covering them.

Wait a minute or two.

Use a fork to pull out the leaves and place them on the muslin cloth.

Fold the cloth and place it on the affected area for at least 20 minutes (preferably overnight).

 

I wore my poultice overnight. After I wrapped my toes in the poultice cloth, I put a sock on to keep it all together for the night. The toes look much better this morning. It is amazing what comfrey can do overnight!

If you learn to recognise comfrey, you can use it as a great healer for bumps and bruises even on the go. Just pick a few leaves, crush them between your fingers to release their juices and apply them directly to the affected area for at least 20 minutes.