Comfrey

comfrey

Comfrey is an herbaceous perennial plant that is cultivated and also grows wild in various locations throughout the world.

While there are many varieties of Comfrey, Russian Comfrey is the variety most often used for medicinal purposes. Russian Comfrey is also referred to as Bruisewort, Blackwort, Knitbone and Healing Herb.

The use of Comfrey is restricted in many countries, including Canada, the United States and the U.K. The restrictions apply mainly to the internal use of this herb, and are in place because it contains PAs or hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids. PAs have been known to cause liver disease, which can lead to liver failure.

Comfrey also contains allantoin, a natural compound that speeds up the replacement of body cells. Because of this, it is capable of producing rapid healing for sprained or broken bones, bruises, cuts and open wounds.

Herbalists have different views on the safe use of Comfrey taken internally. Some feel that taking Comfrey internally is quite safe, while others believe that certain variations of this herb are safe, while others should be avoided. Others use Comfrey strictly for external applications.

Comfrey is widely regarded for it's external applications, and people who have never tried it are often amazed by it's healing capabilities. It can be mixed with aloe vera, oil, petroleum jelly or beeswax to create a salve that does wonders for various common ailments.

Staph infections, for instance, are killed quickly by a simple application of comfrey or comfrey salve directly on the infected area. Open wounds heal quickly, and usually leave no scar behind. External applications of a Comfrey poultice or salve are known to speed up healing of torn tendons and ligaments, and even broken bones

It not only speeds up the healing process, it also provides instant pain relief when applied directly to an injury. It also works well to reduce swelling and inflammation.