Healing With Comfrey

A common herb used in Chinese medicine for the past 2000 years, Comfrey is a favored first aid supply in most herbal practitioners stock of herbs. Comfrey is not only an exceptional herb to use on external wounds to speed healing, but can be used internally to treat a variety of internal health conditions as well.

External Healing Uses of Comfrey

• One of the most common uses of the Comfrey plant is the external application which can be used to treat swelling, inflammation, burns, cuts and other external wounds. Many practitioners swear by this plant's power to heal broken bones, though while it may facilitate healing by reducing swelling and alleviating pain there is no real evidence that it actually speeds the bone healing process.

  The most common method of using Comfrey externally to treat wounds is by a poultice. The leaves of the plant are made into a thick paste and applied to the wounded area, then covered by a thin cloth. This paste helps to draw infection out of the wound and when it begins to dry it contracts the skin helping the wound to close. This helps to inhibit further infection from occurring.

  An ointment can also be made from the leaves of the Comfrey plant, and application of the ointment can be used to treat varicose veins, ulcers, gout, bruises, strains and sprains, and almost any other external wound that occurs. When a decoction from the plant is made, it can be used as a wash for the skin to treat acne, eczema and psoriasis, or as an eyewash for inflamed and irritated eyes.

Internal Healing Uses of Comfrey

• Comfrey can also be consumed to treat a variety of internal disturbances, though it should only be consumed under the supervision of a qualified herbal health practitioner. Some scientific studies have shown that long-term use of large doses of Comfrey may have some affect on the liver, though many herbalists question the validity of these claims. Even so, it is always wise to only take herbal supplements that are recommended and administered by qualified herbal specialists.

  Comfrey is often administered to be used internally to treat digestive issues, because it helps to aid in proper food digestion and helps with some digestive disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome. It is also commonly prescribed to help with throat issues like laryngitis and as an expectorant for conditions like bronchitis and dry coughs.