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Comfrey is very often used for aching joints or skin problems. The most popular are comfrey ointment, tincture and oil. Healing properties are mainly found in the comfrey root. Its cultivation is not difficult. Check out how to make comfrey ointment. Also find out where to buy comfrey and its price.

Comfrey( Symphytum officinale ) is known for its many healing properties. In Poland, it is considered a common plant. It occurs in Europe with the exception of the southern part, in Central Asia, Asia Minor and Siberia. Comfrey belongs to the plants of the borage family. Its flowering period is May and June.

Comfrey grows wild and grows in humid areas, most often around rivers and ponds or lakes. It can also be found on the edge of forests or roadside ditches. It is also grown as a medicinal and ornamental plant.

Comfrey - what does it look like?

Comfrey is aperennial , which can reach a height of 30 to 150 cm. Its flowers are most often in shades of purple-purple, they can have a violet color, less often as white.

Comfrey - properties and application

Comfrey is a very valuable herbherbal raw material . It owes its properties to many substances. The comfrey root consists of 15% mucus. Also includes:

  • allantoin
  • asparagine
  • silicon
  • tannins
  • amino acids
  • fructans
  • polyphenols
  • essential oils
  • beta-sitosterol

Comfrey has a positive effect on skin diseases or damage. It is also used for problems with joints.

Comfrey for joints

Comfrey root has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. For this reason, it can be used externally on painful areas.

It will bring relief in case of rheumatoid arthritis. It will also help relieve pain in the event of an injury.

It also works great in the treatment of rheumatic diseases, spine and joint injuries, bone fractures, inflammation of the tendons and muscle pains.

Comfrey -effect on the skin

Comfrey is especially valued for its content of allantoin, a heterocyclic urea derivative. It has a very positive effect on the skin:

  • affects the formation of connective tissue
  • accelerates the wound healing process
  • has astringent properties
  • soothes irritations
  • accelerates skin regeneration
  • alleviates the symptoms of psoriasis
  • prevents pressure ulcers
  • soothes sunburn
  • supports the treatment of frostbite
  • alleviates changes in the course of atopic dermatitis

Due to the content of allantoin, comfrey has found its application in cosmetics. It is used in the production of natural creams or ointments.

Comfrey ointment - how to make?

Comfrey ointmentsoothes joint and muscle pains, accelerates the healing of wounds and burns. It also has a strong moisturizing effect. It is rich in allantoin and provitamin B5.

Comfrey ointment is usually bought in stores with natural products or at a pharmacy. However, you can do it yourself. How?

The dug up comfrey root should be thoroughly cleaned of soil and washed. Then dry it thoroughly.

The dried root should be thoroughly blended (this can be done with a blender, meat grinder or coffee grinder).

The resulting mass should be put in a bowl, add a few drops of 40% alcohol and pour glycerin.

The mixture created in this way must wait about 30 days to strain it through gauze and combine it with fat.

Traditionally, the fat used in comfrey ointment is goose lard. However, it can be replaced with shea butter, coconut oil or cosmetic petroleum jelly.

To make the ointment process less time-consuming, instead of making glycerate yourself, you can use ready-made comfrey oil.

Comfrey - contraindications to use

Comfrey rootcontains alkaloids . These are toxic compounds that can lead to liver toxicity. Therefore, comfrey cannot be taken internally. However, it can beused externallyin the form of ointments, creams, compresses, rubs, pastes, etc.

Comfrey - tincture

Comfrey can be made into a tincture.Comfrey rootshould be thoroughly washed under running water, dried and placed in a glass dish. You should pour alcohol over it or, close the vessel and put it in a dry place for about 2 weeks. After this time has elapsed, pour it through the gauze.

The tincture is used externallyin the form of compresseswarming . It can also be rubbed directly into sore spots.

Comfrey contains alkaloids, therefore comfrey tincture cannot be drunk due to the risk of poisoning!

Comfrey - where to buy

Comfrey ointment can be purchased at a pharmacy or natural stores. Its root and oil are most often bought in stationary or online herbal stores.

Comfrey - price

Comfrey root can be purchased in the price range from 6 to 10 PLN for 100 g. Comfrey oil costs about 15 PLN for 50 ml. The ointment, on the other hand, costs about PLN 12 for 100 g.

Comfrey - cultivation

Growing comfrey is relatively simple. Comfrey is not a problematic and too demanding plant. It prefers a moist substrate, preferably soil mixed with humus.

The comfrey should be provided with moderate sun exposure. The closer the growing conditions are to the natural conditions in which comfrey grows, the larger it will grow.

Comfrey is a fairly large plant, so make sure you have enough space when planting it. Best planted at intervals of approx. 50 cm.

Comfrey is an expansive plant, so if we allow its seeds to spread naturally, there may be a problem with excessive spreading of comfrey.

Comfrey can be propagated by seeds or by dividing root cuttings.

About the authorWeronika RumińskaA graduate of Polish philology with an editorial and publishing specialization at the University of Warsaw. She developed her interests related to the editor's work already during her master's studies, actively cooperating with Poradnikzdrowie.pl on the editorial path and social media. Privately, a lover of good crime fiction and horse riding.

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