Comfrey Knitbone what it is and how to use it

One of the most prevalent herbs in herbal concoctions Comfrey is a major player in any herbal remedy but what is it exactly and how is it used?

Comfrey–long known as “Knitbone” is a flowering herb with a  deep tap root, and adorable purple flowers that grows to roughly 3 ft tall when mature. It makes a great companion plant to help enrich poor soils and even help ward off certain pests. We use it on the farm around our apple trees to help with ground cover, soil fertility, and as a pest deterrent.

It’s the tap root that gives this herb it’s power. The deep tap root mines minerals deep in the soil that are not available to other plants on the surface. Thus it’s leaves are packed with valuable nutrients that make it a great grazing supplement (goats are known to give more milk when supplemented with comfrey due to it’s high calcium content). It also benefits the soil when it drops its leaves in the fall thus laying it’s cache of deep soil minerals right on the surface to decompose and enrich top soil for surrounding plants.

It earned the nickname “Knitbone” as it has been used for centuries to help mend broken bones. Taken as a tea, or used topically, it’s been known to speed healing of bone injuries. The afore-mentioned calcium combined with a substance called allantoin helps to speed the body’s recovery to injury and damage.

Not just for bones, the allantoin in Comfrey helps promote cell growth as well inhibiting infection and reducing inflammation on all tissues, particularly skin issues. This makes it a go-to for things like cuts, bruises, stings, dry skin, eczema, and more.

 

How to use it:

Comfrey can be infused in to tea, salve,  or pressed into a poultice. It can also be made into fertilizer tea or used as livestock supplemental feed.

 

Here’s a couple simple recipes:

Comfrey Salve:

Add 1/4 cup dried Comfrey leaves to 1 cup liquid oil of your choice (olive, sweet almond, or jojoba work best)

Heat herbs and oil over very low heat for atleast 4 hours–overnight is best.

Remove from heat and use a clean cheesecloth to strain herbs from the oil.

Return oil to pan and add 1.5 TBS of beeswax

Stir until beeswax is melted.

Add 1 tsp vitamin E (optional)

Add Essential oils to suit (also optional)

Pour hot salve into light protected jar or multiple small jars (colored glass, metal, or tinted plastic)

Allow to cool and solidify and voila! You have comfrey salve to use topically

 

Comfrey Poultice:

Mash fresh Comfrey Leaves and mix with a small amount of water. Apply directly to the skin and wrap. Replace poultice as needed. Do not use on open wounds this way.

 

Comfrey Tea:

Add 2 tsp dried leaves to 8 oz of water and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and simmer covered for 10 mins.

Then strain herbs (or you can use a tea bag beginning with step one)

Break out the sweetener—yeah… this one doesn’t taste great. It should also be noted that consuming large amounts of cComfrey internally has been shown to have negative effects on the liver. Check with your Doctor concerning internal use of Comfrey.

 

Comfrey Tea as Fertilizer:

Comfrey makes a WONDERFUL fertilizer. Simply steep water in comfrey leaves (either fresh or dried) on low head overnight, remove the leaves and water away!

No time to make your own? We sell Fix It Salve that uses Comfrey as one of  the main ingredients. You can find it Here.

 

The information contained in this blog is for informational purposes only and should not be used as medical advice. Nothing on this page is intended to treat, cure, or diagnose any medical issue. Please consult a physician for all medical concerns.