Comfrey, also known by the descriptive name “knit bone”, is an excellent plant with a long history of use in treating cuts, abrasions, bruises, torn ligaments, tendons, and broken bones. Comfrey has so many practical uses and benefits, I want everyone to know how to use comfrey!
Studying herbal medicine, it is one thing to read about the healing power of the plants, but another to personally experience it. The more I work hands on with the plants – growing, harvesting, making medicine, sharing and using the plants, the greater my trust in their healing properties.
I had the chance to observe some powerful healing, using this easy-to-grow plant with a long history of use, and I want to share this experience with you.
Comfrey – Symphytum officinale
Comfrey, also known by the descriptive name “knit bone”, has been used since ancient times, and was described by Dioscorides, an ancient Greek physician and botanist. The genus name Symphytum comes from the Greek word ‘sympho’, which means to “unite”, as in closing a wound or bone fracture.
My herbal teachers have personal stories to share of their experiences working with comfrey, either for themselves or their clients, and I understand comfrey is excellent at promoting the growth of new tissue and speeding the healing process. But until recently, I never had the opportunity to experience the healing power of comfrey for myself.
Healing with Comfrey – Our Experience
The opportunity to observe comfrey’s excellent ability to “knit a wound” presented itself when my husband sliced open his thumb. The cut was long and deep, and wild yarrow was the first plant applied to stop the rapid bleeding. Yarrow
Once we had the bleeding stopped, and the wound cleansed, a poultice of comfrey was applied. Ideally this poultice would have been reapplied for several days, but the busyness of modern life limited the comfrey applications. However, even with just a few applications of the poultice, the rapid closing and healing of this wound was remarkable.
Had we sought medical care at the local urgent care center, stitches would have been applied to close the wound (and likely a scolding for packing it with the yarrow!). Instead, comfrey sped the healing process.
Comfrey is a perennial plant that produces large leaves and bell-shaped flowers. I purchased my four plants from a local organic herb farm, and enjoy the many benefits of the plants all summer long. Late last summer I harvested the leaves and dried them, storing them in a glass jar. It was the dried leaves we used to make the poultice. You can purchase organic dried comfrey
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How to Grow Comfrey
Not only is comfrey good for you, it’s also good for your garden. Comfrey leaves are nutrient-rich and are beneficial in the garden. The Permaculture Research Center has this to say about comfrey in the garden
A fast-growing, herbaceous, perennial plant of the borage family, comfrey’s thick and tuberous roots create an expansive root system, allowing the plant to “mine” compacted soils for minerals and other nutrients which are often difficult for other plants to obtain. It is this ability to help cycle nutrients through the soil that has given comfrey its designation as a dynamic accumulator plant. Like daikon, stinging nettles, and other plants that function as dynamic accumulators, comfrey leaves make an excellent fertilizer, and provide a nutrient boost to compost mixes. Additionally, comfrey leaves are used as a green manure and mulch, being cut, then spread over planting beds and left to decompose on site, further helping to condition soils. Cutting and placing the first flush of comfrey leaves in trenches where potatoes are to be planted is thought to provide the tubers with nutrients that will result in an increased yield. It is important to use only the leaves of the plant when mulching, as any cut stems have the potential to take root.
Comfrey is hardy from zones 4 – 9, and will grow in full or partial sun. Comfrey would make a lovely addition to a perennial flower bed, however, I wouldn’t recommend comfrey for a small garden where planting space is at a premium as the plants themselves can often grow to 24 – 48″ wide. Because of the penetrating roots, I am not sure how well comfrey would do contained in a pot. Perhaps a large, deep pot would work.
Comfrey is a permanent part of my expanding perennial herb garden. The plants put out blooms all summer and I enjoy the abundant bees and pollinators that visit daily. New growth replaces the cuttings which are dried and saved for a winter supply.
If you want to learn more about how to grow comfrey, and the many uses of comfrey in the garden, Amy at Tenth Acre Farm has a great post about growing comfrey.
How to Use Comfrey for Healing
There are numerous ways to enjoy the healing qualities of comfrey, including:
- comfrey poultice
- comfrey compress
- comfrey-infused oil
- comfrey salve
Comfrey Poultice
The simplest way to use comfrey for a wound is as a poultice. Using fresh or dried leaves, combine with warm water and place over the wound, covering with a bandage. The poultice should be damp but not drippy. Sometimes herbs are mixed with other ingredients to make a paste, which clings better to the area being treated. Comfrey leaves tend to be quite large, so we simply used the moistened leaves.
Comfrey Compress
Another simple method is to apply a compress. With a compress, you make a strong “tea” by steeping the leaves (fresh or dried) in boiled water. A clean cloth is then soaked in the tea and applied (once cooled to prevent burns) to the injured area. Repeat this application, replacing with a warm compress cloth.
Comfrey Oil
Comfrey-infused oils can be made by infusing an oil with the fresh or dried leaves. Dried plant material works best to reduce the chance of the oil becoming moldy. Simply fill a jar 2/3 full with the leaves, cover completely with oil, tamping down to eliminate air bubbles. Place the lid and allow to infuse for 4 to 6 weeks, checking periodically to make sure the leaves remain completely covered in oil. After 4-6 weeks, strain off the leaves and store the infused oil.
This comfrey oil can be applied to the skin, or used to make a healing salve.
Comfrey Salve
Once you create your comfrey-infused oil, you can then create an excellent healing salve. The salve can be applied to cuts, scrapes, bruises, sunburn, insect bites and more.
Mountain Rose Herbs Blog has instructions for making a basic salve using herb-infused oils.
Safety
Not for Internal Use
Although some herbalists continue the tradition of using comfrey internally, mainly through teas and infusions, my use of comfrey is strictly for external applications. Comfrey leaf and root contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PLAs), a group of toxic compounds that can cause damage to the liver. (Source)
Infected Wounds
Comfrey is best used for treating broken bones, damaged ligaments, and tendons, and healing small wounds. The high levels of allantoin and rosmarinic acid found in comfrey cause rapid growth of new skin cells, which can cause a deeper wound to heal from the outside first, sealing in an infection.
Comfrey in the First Aid Kit
Comfrey is an excellent addition to our first aid kit to help with healing all kinds of cuts, abrasions, bruises, strained tendons, ligaments, and bone fractures. Dried leaves are easily stored for use when needed in making poultices or compresses, or in creating a healing oil, or comfrey salve. Even greater benefits can be enjoyed by combining comfrey with other healing herbs such as calendula, plantain, and yarrow.
If you would like to learn about the best herbs for creating an herbal first aid kit, I share simple instructions for a DIY Herbal First Aid Kit.
Even if you receive treatment from a medical center or physician, comfrey can be a powerful part of your healing process.
In health,
~Michelle
If you enjoy learning about herbal medicine, the Herbal Academy offers in-depth courses for all levels.
I pinned, you’ve got a great post here! I’m inspired to plant some comfrey. Thanks for sharing on the Homestead Blog Hop!
Thanks Jennifer
Hi I had a hernia operation 2 days ago. Would it be OK to to apply comfrey poultice to the wound? Many thanks PJ
I would recommend a calendula compress – make a “tea” with calendula flowers (fresh or dried), then strain off the flowers. Soak a clean cloth in the calendula tea and apply to the area. Once the wound has healed, the comfrey can be used (alone or in combination with calendula) to help lesson the formation of scar tissue. Wishing you quick healing!
Directions for making an herbal compress – https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/cooling-herbal-compress-3-easy-steps
I thought I read somewhere that you should not put comfrey on skin that is broken.. I have just got 4 new plants and they are growing nicely. I wonder if it would be safe to put comfrey on my feet where the skin is broken because of psoriasis.
Comfrey has high levels of allantoin, a substance known to promote new skin cell growth, as well as reduce inflammation. It is true that comfrey is not recommended for open wounds, however the reason for this is because the rapid skin growth can seal in an infection! We were careful to thoroughly flush the wound and cleanse it before we applied the comfrey. Comfrey does contain the pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are toxic to the liver, and these compounds can be absorbed through the skin. For this reason, I wouldn’t recommend comfrey for daily use.
Have you considered calendula and plaintain oil? Very mild plants, but with wonderful skin healing abilities. Inexpensive (we encourage the plaintain weeds in our garden!) and calendula is easy to grow, dry, and beautiful too!
Wow, very interesting! Thanks for sharing with us at the To grandma’s house we go Wednesday link party! Hope to see you there tomorrow!
I have a plant growing in my yard that I wonder what it is. If I am able to get a picture may I send it to you to see if you can help me. I believe it is an herb but not sure. Thank you
I will try!
Hi Michelle would you email me? I’m thinking about taking the introductory class and would love to know what your experience w the herbal academy was like.
Hi! Does the comfrey burn when using as poultice? I got a cut with come chicken wire today and I’m being a big baby. Even the hydrogen peroxide hurt me lol. Tia
Sorry I missed your comment yesterday! No, the comfrey poultice doesn’t hurt. Actually, I find it rather soothing. I hope you find relief and quick healing!
I tried growing comfrey in a large pot but it quickly outgrew the pot and the roots spread through the garden and new plants shot up. No problem where I’m growing it and I chop it back regularly and add it to my compost. Would not grow it where it would interfere with other garden plants.
If your comfrey is happy, it can definitely spread through the roots. I manage mine the same way as you – I keep cutting the tops back to ground level and using the leaves as mulch/in the compost.
Hi
I’m absolutely panicking bc I used comfrey ointment for 2 days and was applying it to my whole face every few hours on open wounds.
The wounds healed so quickly but have I done any damage to myself
I already have slight liver damage and high cholesterol
And suffer severe panic attacks
Please help
Blessings from Australia
Oh I wish I had seen this sooner! I would suggest you speak to your physician about your concerns.
Wishing you peace and health!
I dont think you could damage your liver in 2 days
Don’t worry too much.
Can I use fresh comfery leaves for my osteoarthritis pain and Scrillic joint pain, by soaking in my bath.
I got a stress fracture on my heel a few days ago. Got out my bag of dried comfrey leaves and began poultices, 2 or 3 times daily. Pain is greatly reduced, but I’m wondering if I overdid iert. Can a fracture heal too fast, thus insufficiently, if poulticing is overdone?
As I don’t have first-hand experience with comfrey for fractures (only skin wounds) I cannot say for sure. But none of my experienced herbal teachers have ever mentioned insufficient healing of fractures with comfrey poultices. Two-three times a day sounds appropriate.
I hope you continue to heal well.
When I was young (14) I fractured my ankle, full leg cast. I took Comfrey internally-as the FDA didn’t have a “ban” on it in the 70’s. I healed at the speed of sound… I was out of the cast in less than 4 weeks. The doctors were astounded. And, I don’t have liver damage… I took the herb capsules daily with Fenugreek and calcium supplements-per my Mom’s direction. We don’t take them internally, but my Son broke his Shoulder blade-bad, unrepairable surgically-We did poltices, Bone knit tea and homeopathic symphytum. Doctor said it would take 8-12 weeks for it to heal. in 6 weeks the doctors kicked him out. No more monitoring needed.
It’s wonderful you have enjoyed so many benefits from these herbs!
What do you recommend for bruising? As I have gotten older, every little bump seems to leave a bruise.
Comfrey is wonderful for treating bruises. There are two things you could try – create a compress – using comfrey leaf, make a tea, soak a cloth in the tea, and then apply to the bruise. I use two cloths so I can keep one immersed in the tea and then continually switching them out. Do this for 10-15 minutes three to four times a day. The other option is make a comfrey leaf poultice – the simplest way is to crush the leaves (to release the juices) and apply to the bruised area. You can cover with a bandage to hold the poultice in place. Hope this helps.
Hi
Just wondering if you know if I can mix comfrey oil into dsmo cream (with / without CBD oil) to put on my knee? I have 2 very old torn knee ligaments (typical sports injuries) that have recently acted up with bouts of pain or instability from my knee to my thigh?
Also, can I buy the comfrey oil or another perhaps better form of it at a reliable source?
Thanks so very much!
(I just have little time or space and am dealing with my sick cat and will soon be moving to Mexico. And so preparing this myself is difficult at the moment.
Thx again!
Vanyöska
I don’t have experience combining comfrey oil with either the CBD or the DMSO, so I cannot say if it is effective or safe. From what I’ve learned, comfrey is probably most suited to more acute injuries, while the CBD and DMSO seem like they would be more beneficial for your more chronic pain. I use and trust Mountain Rose Herbs for all the herbals I can’t grow/make myself: https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/comfrey-herbal-oil/profile
very interesting! I was told about comfrey by a friend who has used it for a long time. I have finally had the need to use it because I broke a bone in my foot and I’m hoping to heal most thoroughly and quickly as possible. I’m using dried comfrey leaves and boiling them to make a tea and putting it in a container that I can set my foot into once it is just warm. Is that an OK way to use it? How often can I do that throughout the day? And, the question I can’t find answer to is for how long can I continue to use Comfrey treatment if I’m going to be in a boot for 6 weeks can I do a soak each day for that long? I look forward to any help you can offer! Very grateful.
Using comfrey leaf tea is an excellent plan for supporting healing for our broken bones. I can’t find specific recommendations for frequency, but I believe using dried comfrey leaves infused in water as a soak 2-3 times daily for 4-6 weeks would be a great way to support the healing process. I don’t have personal experience with comfrey for broken bones, but my teachers have seen impressive results. Rosalee de la Foret, a respected herbalist has a good discussion on comfrey. It’s a long article, but informative. The second half of the article specifically addresses external use for comfrey. https://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/benefits-of-comfrey.html
I hope you enjoy a quick recovery, and do let me know how it is going!
Thank you! Very grateful for your insight and reply.
Hi, awesome read! I was wondering if I can apply this to a child (7 years old). She haves a deep cut in her wrist. Took her to ER stitched her up and gave me two choices to leave it like that or go thru surgery. We didn’t put her thru surgery just because I went to different doc ok so long story short she has a flexor tendon laceration she is moving good her hand. Can I apply comfrey to her wound. I have been applying on calendula cream. But if anything comfrey I’m very much interesting. Thank you in advance!
I’m sorry about your daughter’s injury! I wouldn’t apply comfrey to a deep wound. Calendula is excellent and there is good evidence supporting the use of Solomon’s Seal and Gotu Kola for supporting soft tissue healing.
Where can I buy Comfrey?
Comfrey leaf or live plants?
Comfrey leaf can be purchased through Mountain Rose Herbs and Frontier Herbs (excellent companies!)
Mountain Rose herbs: https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/comfrey-leaf/profile
Frontier Coop: https://www.frontiercoop.com/frontier-co-op-comfrey-leaf-cut-and-sifted-organic-1-lb/?gclid=CjwKCAjw5vz2BRAtEiwAbcVIL3Yj3J0gVpBPxH6Ux1TODyGUQbQuLm3K2hk6mwW5cnHzW5qnHzjnTBoC_ioQAvD_BwE
hi, i found a pigeon with an injured leg about six weeks ago. took it to the bird rescue. they said the bone was shattered. they are caring for it but said the bone did not knit and that it will have a limp but will be fine. i did not think of comfrey till today. might that help? or is it too late? and how to keep it on a bird’s leg? thank you.
Hi, I was wondering how long would it take roughly or long should I do a comfrey poultice on a completely torn ACL