Comfrey

50g (1.76oz)

Medicinal Name: Symphytum officinale

Common names: boneset, knitbone, bruisewort, black wort, salsify, ass ear, wall wort, slippery root, gum plant, healing herb, consound, or knit back

Properties: vulnerary, demulcent, astringent, expectorant

Treatment: gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, ulcerative colitis, broken bones, fractures

Description:

Comfrey is renowned for its impressive wound-healing properties. With its high percentage of mucilage as well, Comfrey becomes a powerful healing agent in gastric and duodenal ulcers, hiatus hernia and ulcerative colitis.

Its astringency will help haemorrhages wherever they occur, internally or on the skin. In cases of bronchitis and irritable cough, it will soothe and reduce irritation while helping expectoration.

Comfrey may be used externally to speed wound-healing and guard against scar tissue developing incorrectly. It may be used for any external ulcer, for wounds and fractures as a compress or poultice.

It may be used for any external ulcer, for wounds and fractures as a compress or poultice.

Preparation: put 1–3 teaspoonsful of the dried herb in a cup of water, bring to the boil and let simmer for 10–15 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day. For external applications it can be used as an ointment, poultice or compress

Caution: Only use on advice of herbalist or naturopathic doctor. Care should be taken with very deep wounds, however, as the external application of Comfrey can lead to tissue forming over the wound before it is healed deeper down, possibly leading to abscesses.