Comfrey
Health Benefits

  1. Home
  2. Herbs
  3. Comfrey

Comfrey: The Comforting Herb

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Sort by Default New Loved
Staph
Posted by Anita (Theodore, Al, Usa) on 11/04/2011
 ★★★★★

I am SOLD ON Comfrey!

Called the "Miracle Herb", it is a miracle in so many ways!

Someone on this site mentioned Comfrey for the healing of boils caused by staph.

I LOVE it! I even grow it in my garden, now. You can make a poultice of it for broken bones, sprains, tennis elbow, gout, and usually one treatment will amaze you!

I plan to make a paste of it and baking soda to place on my red areas on my scalp for Folucitis (caused by staph _ MRSA found via a nasal culture. ) If I can locate it, I may try the tinture.

You can also buy Comfrey in dried leaves, roots, and some places sell the tinture.

Because comfrey contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) which are toxic to the liver, I feel it has received a bad rap.

Andrew Hughes, researched Comfrey for over 30 years, and was around 90 or 94 when he wrote the book "Comfrey, the Miracle Herb". He said his entire family had consumed lots of Comfrey on a daily basis for that many years, receiving only benefits.

Comfrey is very nutritious and you can make green energy drinks from it, using other greens and juice, like pineapple. A friend of mine likes celery in hers.

You should consult your health care provider, if you have any liver problems.

I personally have had Hepatitis C, and use Comfrey without fear.

Surgical Wounds
Posted by Gloria Gaye (Clearfield, Utah) on 06/26/2011
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

In 1995, I was living in a small rural town without medical facilities when my bowel ruptured. When my husband got me to the hospital in a neighboring town, they did emergency surgery and removed 14 inches of my descending bowel. Because I had peritonitis, they weren't able to close the incision completely. It had to heal on it's own. I was taught by a home health nurse to pack the opening, which went from my breastbone to my pubic bone and was gaping open about four inces across. Each day I would wet yards and yards of gauze with sterile saline, fill the wound and cover it with a dressing. I was told it would take three months for the sides to pull together and close. I had comfrey growing in my yard, and decided to do what I could to help myself. I made strong comfrey tea with the sterile saline and soaked the gauze in the tea before packing the wound. I don't have to tell you how gross it looked with the green gauze soaked with body fluids, but I watched, each day, facinated, as tiny translucent, flesh colored globes of granulation tissue grew in the bottom of the wound. The home health nurse came ince a week and was amazed at how rapidly the wound was closing and how free of infection it remained. When I went for my six week checkup, the doctor said, "Your nurse has told me what you've been doing. I want to see this. " When he removed the dressing (which I'd put on for his benefit) he said, "Well, I'll be --------. " All that was under the dressing was a clean white scar, completely healed. I've used comfrey, as have these other people, for many purposes, for many years, but this was the most spectacular. Right now I'm using it as a poultice on a biopsy of a cancer on my nose while I'm waiting the results. Whatever the outcome, I know I'll heal well with comfrey.

Soil Conditioner
Posted by Tinam (Brisbane, Qld, Australia) on 04/12/2011
 ★★★★★

Comfrey is great for churning soil. If you have useless soil, plant some comfrey and you'll have good soil in no time. It is very hard to get rid of once you decide to plant other crops as even the smallest piece of root left in the ground will propogate, however, it is probably a great companion plant regardless, and you can use the leaves and root to make a good insecticide by steeping in a bucket of water for a week and then spraying on plants. Add garlic to the steeping solution as well.

Sprains, Bruises, Tooth Infection
Posted by Patricia (Roseburg, Oregon Usa) on 04/12/2011
 ★★★★★

We have lots of comfrey growing and use it for a number of things.

We make poultices for sprains and bruises by putting the roots and leaves in the blender with a bit of water. We don't cook it. Then we drink the leftover liquid. Can add juice or honey, etc. , to make it taste better. We don't worry about toxicity. My daughter got a bad sprained ankle 3 days before a hike. We made the poultices twice, she drank some of the stuff. Ankle was fine for the hike.

Another daughter cured an abscessed tooth by drinking the blended comfrey roots and leaves for a few days. But be careful about planting it in an area that will be tilled. It only takes a tiny piece of root to make a new plant, and is hard to get rid of in the garden. Plant it in an out-of-the-way place where it can take over.

Prolapse
Posted by Connie (Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA) on 09/06/2009
 ★★★★★

Comfrey for Prolapse... Comfrey is supposed to be phenomenal stuff. Google "comfrey uses". Some people say not to ingest it, only to apply it topically; but at least one site says that fear is from poor laboratory studies, and that it's safe to ingest. It is said to work by speeding the healing process dramatically.

Neck Injury
Posted by Ryan (Perth, Wa) on 08/27/2009
 ★★★★★

A month or two ago I felt the need to crack my neck but i think i did it on a bad angle or had something in there at the site. As when i did so, it made a terrible sound that resulted in some pretty intense sharp pains. the back of my neck bulged half an inch out over a few hours and it became seriously painful. As the day progressed i lost most of the range of motion in my neck and the pain only got worse.

I researched and ended up at 'disc bulges' and a recommendation for a 'cold anti-inflammatory cream like Comfrey' or something to that effect... and periodic ice pack treatment.

I put something frozen on it ten minutes in each hour and that seemed to help a little until i could get somewhere to do something proper about it. I then went to a health food store and got some Comfrey cream they had... and it really was amazing, on the first application it went from a serious 8/10 pain level down to 4/10, it was like pouring water onto a fire.

I alternated between ice pack and the comfrey cream every 30-60 minutes and that kept the pain well down.

I did make the mistake of trying to lie down and sleep... very, very silly. not for a day or two of this treatment could i lie completely down without all of the pain returning. i recommend sleeping mostly sitting up until most of the pain is gone, its not worth risking setting it off again.

Apparently the reason it works is because if the muscles around the joint/disc become inflamed they will swell up and that will then put pressure on the joint/disc causing the pain. the comfrey is a 'cold acting anti-inflammatory' it is anti-inflammatory and the net effect of the cream is cooling which reduces swelling. the cold from the ice pack also directly reduces swelling.

I also took some anti-inflammatories internally to speed up general recovery, ginger, tumeric, omega 3.

Ryan.

Nephritis, Kidney Disease
Posted by Jacqui (Scottsville, Kentucky) on 06/24/2009
 ★★★★★

I was facinated with Brian of Australia Comfrey remedy for his kidney troubles.

I am a New Zealander living in Kentucky USA..as a child my Mum(part Maori) always added a few leaves of Comfrey into the cabbage etc,she also told me when I had babies to add a leaf or two into my babies vegetables,and I always did that.

Over my life I have ALWAYS grown Comfrey in my garden,it makes a wonderful tea for the garden plants,and my Mum would use it in her compost. The common name for Comfrey is Knitbone..because it knits together,it is an ancient herb.Unfortunately withing the last 20years some silly persons have over indulged (OMG they must have drunk buckets of Comfrey tea) consequently comfrey has been labelled now. I believe EVERYTHING in moderation.. I have heard of someone dyeing from drinking too much water..if you understand what I mean.

Since living in Kentucky a long way from my Homeland, I have been able to buy a Comfrey plant,and my Comfrey is my treasure, I make a tea from her..I can gargle with the tea..I can add honey and a little ginger powder if I had a cold or flu..comfrey is great for the lungs..bladder etc.

Comfrey leaf if crushed (roll the rolling pin over to crush stalk) and put on a cut with gauze,and wrapped in plastic wrap,within 24hours cut will be sealed, do the same thing for bruising,grazing etc.. back in New Zealand many of the horse trainers use Comfrey for their horses legs when hurt.. Comfrey can also be dried out in the sun and kept air tight to use throughout the Winter..hope you are all healed now Brian.

Regards Jacqui

Nephritis, Kidney Disease
Posted by Brian (Wendouree/Ballarat, Victoria/Australia) on 08/27/2008
 ★★★★★

When 7 years old, I nearly died with nepthritis [ kidney disease ]. At 39 year old, the pain in that area made me almost weep and it needed to be stopped. I felt something inside said to fast, take only lemon juice and eat "raw" comfrey - I did this from 4.00 pm friday until lunch time sunday and I have never had a pain there since and I am now 68years old. "I thank God for Comfrey" - since then I have spoke to people who have also been set free of disease in the kidneys through comfrey and its healing "alantoin". I only ate about 7 hand sized leaves over 3 days.

Digestive Issues
Posted by Romona (Olivet, Michigan) on 03/19/2009

I'm looking for my recipe. I'll get back to you as soon as I find it. Also you can email me and I'll send it to you. Thanks Romona

Digestive Issues
Posted by Janice (Coloma, Mi) on 03/17/2009

Ramona, I would love to know how to make comfrey salve. I also grow it in my yard and I am looking for different ways to use it.

Broken Bones
Posted by Romona (Olivet, Michigan) on 03/16/2009
 ★★★★★

My granddaughter broke her arm. It was a clean break so they just put a cast on. I ordered some comfrey capsules and had her take one twice a day. She continued her dance classes and did her recital with her cast on. When they removed the cast the doctor couldn't believe how fast she was healing. He said to her mother to keep doing what she was. So after the cast was removed she continued to give her the capsules and applied the salve on the arm around the broken area. It was many years ago and we all use it a lot. The kids are living in Florida now and I just sent 2 jars of salve to them in the mail. They were just about out and didn't want to be without because it works so well. Can't wait to tell them about eating it.

About a month ago I stubbed my toe very hard. I expected it to hurt bad, but nothing happened until a few hours later and then it started swelling and hurting real bad. Turned all black & blue. Before bed I couldn't take it anymore so I put some Comfrey salve on it and sprayed it with a pain killer spray that I had and slepted all night. I awoke in the morning with very little pain. It took a little while to heal but I believe that salve helped it to heal faster.

Romona

Digestive Issues
Posted by Romona (Olivet, Michigan) on 03/16/2009

Hay Zella, I have used Comfrey for alot of things. I even make Comfrey salve from my plants in my yard. I would love to have a copy of your Comfrey uses. I want to know all of its uses. I've never heard of eating it but am looking foward to trying this when spring brings up new plants. I pick the leaves, dry and store them for winter use. Please email me and let me know. Thanks Romona

Broken Bones
Posted by Howard (Shawnee Mission, Kansas) on 01/03/2009

The name Majestic Mountain Sage is correct. However, in reordering, I found that using Majestic Mountain Sage in a Google search produced a string of websites for other suppliers, none of which was Majestic Mountain Sage. The correct name for contacting Majestic Mountain Sage is thesage.com. Other suppliers of allantoin are primarily Chinese and European manufacturers seeking manufacturing contacts. None that I could find offered small qunatities of allantoin, If anyone knows of a source for allantoin USP (allantoin that meets the United States Pharmacopoeia standards) please post the information. Thanks.

Broken Bones
Posted by Howard (Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66201) on 12/21/2008
 ★★★★★

Ted from Bangkok correctly pointed out that allantoin is the active ingredient in comfrey. It is available on the Internet from companies like Majestic Mountain Sage. I'm not sure if it dissolves in water, but it can be stirred into water with no problem. I wouldn't suggest using DMSO as a solvent. When I broke my lower leg I simply applied the powder to the skin above the break, but the location isn't critical. Anything in contact with the skin is absorbed to some extent and is carried throughout the body. How much did I use? Whatever made me happy. There is no record of allantoin being toxic, and no recommended dose size for its use. I never had a cast because three different doctors failed to recognize a clean break in my left tibia as the cause of the swelling and pain in my leg. The swelling evidently served me well as a cast. I am a biological scientist but not a physician.

Dog Back Leg Paralysis
Posted by Katie (Edison, NJ) on 11/02/2008
 ★★★★★

Comfrey Compress for a Dachshund

My doxie's back legs became paralyzed. The vet "guessed" that he had intervertebral disk disease and suggested a $5,000.00 surgery. After my research - I put him on strict crate rest, gave him supplements, chinese herbs and pumpkin (for fiber). I also gave him comfrey compresses - 3x's a day- which he would settle into. It took 3 1/2 months for him to walk again. The interesting thing was that when he got better, he would not sit for the compresses. I took it as "I'm ok now and don't need it anymore.") A big thanks to this website for it's valuable information.

Digestive Issues
Posted by Zella Sauer (Terre Haute, Indiana) on 09/17/2008
 ★★★★★

Hello, First let me say I love this site!

I plan to try many many things here.

I came here because of a gallbladder attack. I was sooo sick with this last attack, and I am not working and have no medical insurance. So I started out with AVC in apple juice and wow !! I felt much better (((but a very wonderful side effect occurred, which I wasn't expecting.... I have been holding water a lot lately in my ankles, and I have been drinking lots of water to help rid my body and eating very little to no salt, but still some puffiness.... I have been using ACV for 3 days now and my ankles and lower legs are TINY again !!! I can't believe it !!!) I have since then been reading all the wonderful things ACV does so I am a believer and will be taking it from now on.))) I did start out drinking the regular kind from the store in apple juice, but I have bought the organic ACV now...

My second subject is LETTUCE. I wanted faster relief on my gallbladder and eating a chunk of lettuce makes your stomach and gas build up from all of this ease down quite fast ...and it works! THANKS

My third subject is comfrey.... comfrey has many many used more than just bones.... I have it growing in my yard, and ((of course I haven;t been using it for about 1 month)) but that was me being dumb))) anyway I have a whole read out on comfrey and all of it's cures... but it may be too long for here. One thing it is for is the digestive system in your body. I usually cut me about 8 to 10 leafs each morning and bring them to a simmer and eat them. They are delicious and taste like rough spinach. My mom drinks comfrey tea. It is supposed to heal any upsets in your digestive track from your stomach right on down to your bowls, and ground comfry root is powerful stuff. Here is a small readout on just a few of it's healing powers......

((Tea of the leaves or decoction of the root was traditionally used for arthritis, respiratory problems, persistent coughs, pleurisy, bronchitis, bronchial pneumonia, lung disease with dry cough, lung congestion, quinsy, whooping cough, consumption, metritis, periostitis, gastrointestinal ulcers, ulcerative colitis, internal hemorrhage (lungs, bowel, stomach), bleeding piles, bloody urine, bladder infections, prostate infections, cystitis, leukorrhea, excessive menstrual flow, scrofula, anemia, wasting disease, DIGESTIVE & STOMACH PROBLEMS, spitting blood, colds, nasal congestion, diarrhea, and dysentary.))

I know a lady of 98 still going strong, a dear friend of my mom's, gave a plant to my mom and she in turn gave me some starts from it years ago, to help us with stomach problems and I did use it for 3 months once ... and was wonderfully healthy and no digestive problems at all... then I moved and my landlord would not allow me to pull it up. So it took me years to find it again and only this year, I have plenty... so along with my AVC, lettuce and comfrey I plan to get healthy and well.... ohh and I am just starting to use organic coconut oil on my skin ... will let everyone know .... :)

Thanks again !!!

Comfrey Alternatives
Posted by Ted (Bangkok, Thailand) 392 posts
 ★★★★★

You can get around the comfrey problem for internal use as comfrey's active ingredient is allantoin. What you need is to dissolve allantoin, which is not soluble in water. However, it is soluble in DMSO and this can help with fractures. You can mix about 100-5000 mg of allantoin to 2 cc of DMSO. Of course you should add water to 10-20 cc at which you can apply to the skin or drink for internal purposes. It has help some people heal fractures and this is one way to avoid poisonous alkaloids from comfrey. Some people added aloe vera extracts and oil to improve healing.

Dosages for DMSO mixed with comfrey on a per day basis is estimated to be about 10 drops per day based on mixture I mentioned. Please understand that use of DMSO will result in you getting garlic odor. You can reduce this if you halved your dosages or drinking diluted hydrogen peroxide will also help reduce the smell. The reason why it smells garlic is because your body is hungry for oxygen. What it does is it takes out the oxygen component from the DMSO to get DMS. Now if the water you drink is high in hydrogen peroxide (water with not over 0.5% food grade H2O2), then the oxygen will come from H2O2 component more readily, reducing the garlic smell somewhat. Of course you can try MSM which is an DMSO with one more oxygen, this will get rid of the problem and will also help with healing of fractures. Of course, MSM is not as good of solvent for allantoin as DMSO.

Broken Bones, Bruising
Posted by Carol (OKC, U. S. A.) on 04/15/2007
 ★★★★★

...Comfrey compresses healed not only the deep bruising (in 3 days), resulting from a stubbed, broken toe but also, bone -- after all, the common name for comfrey is "knit bone". Raspberry tea healed my indigestion after I was forced to eat "junk food" for 3 days whilst staying with my husband's cousin.

Broken Bones
Posted by Donna (Ukaih, California)
★★★★★

I used a comfrey poultice on my granddaughter's arm and it healed so rapidly, the doctor was amazed. My 90 yr old mom just broke her arm and I'm using a comfrey compress. I'm told it will take 3 months or more for it to heal, so we'll see, but I have faith that it will heal much faster!!!

Broken Bones
Posted by Ann (Union County, NJ) on 03/03/2007
 ★★★★★

I fractured my right fifth metacarpal the beginning of this month. I saw the orthopaedist and he set it with a cast. I used a tincture of comfrey acquired from the local healthfood store. I applied with a q-tip under the cast at the site of the fracture once or twice a day. I went back to the doc for my followup visit two weeks and two days after the injury, the doc kept asking, three times, "When did this injury had occur?" He could not believe how fast it had healed, he left the cast off and now I have a soft splint. Now I apply the comfrey tincture on a bandaid and leave it on overnight. I hope to be splint free when I go for my next two week checkup. Not bad for a 58 year old female.


Previous Page 1 2 3

Please note that we use cookies necessary for the functioning of our website, cookies that optimize the performance. To learn more about our cookies, how we use them and their benefits, please read our Privacy Policy