How to Extract Allantoin from Comfrey

Comfrey is a readily available herb that contains allantoin, a chemical that encourages cell proliferation. It has been used externally for skin care, wound care, joint care and the care of bone fracture sites; internally, comfrey may be used with great caution for minor respiratory complaints. There are several ways to extract the allantoin from the comfrey herb for medicinal and cosmetic use.

Things You'll Need

• 16 oz. dried or fresh comfrey leaves and stems, divided
• Cutting board
• Knife
• 8 oz. 100-proof vodka
• 16-oz. jar with tight-fitting lid
• Coffee filters
• Bowl
• Funnel
• Dark glass bottles with stoppers
• Labels
• 8 oz. olive oil
• Pot
• Strainer
• Mortar and pestle
• Bandages

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Instructions

• 1

  Rinse the fresh leaves and stems and pat them dry. On a clean cutting board, chop them as finely as possible. If using dried herbs, chop them into small pieces.

• 2

  Pour 8 oz. of 100-proof vodka over 4 oz. of chopped comfrey leaves and stems in a clean jar. Cover and shake the jar; shake the jar once daily for 14 days. Strain through a coffee filter into a bowl. Pour the extract through a funnel into small dark glass bottles and label. Take a few drops three times a day for minor respiratory complaints.

• 3

  Mix 4 oz. of chopped comfrey leaves and stems with 8 oz. of olive oil in a pot and warm on the lowest heat setting for two to four hours. Strain through a coffee filter into a bowl. Let sit until cool. Pour off through a funnel into small dark glass bottles, taking care not to include any sediment that has settled to the bottom of the bowl. Label the bottles. Use externally for skin, wound and joint care.

• 4

  Macerate 4 oz. of comfrey leaves and stems with a mortar and pestle and apply externally over sites of small fractures such as toes, ribs and nose where it is difficult to place a cast or brace. Cover with a bandage. Change dressing frequently, adding fresh herbs.