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.
How to Make Comfrey Tincture
Posted by Rachel (Reinholds, Pa) on 02/11/2012
★★★★★
Comfrey Tincture:
If you can't find it in the store, simply chop some comfrey root from your garden like you would onion for a meatloaf.
Fill a small jar 2/3 - 3/4 full of this coarsely chopped root. Then fill the jar with 80 - 100 proof vodka. That is all. Let the jar set for two - four weeks or more. Strain out the liquid and bottle it in a dark bottle and there you have it!
A wonderful, but slimy, comfrey tincture that really works miracles!
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.
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!!!
Comfrey and Calendula Oil
Posted by Tanja (Munich) on 06/02/2022
Hello! I was interested in making an oil for inner adhesions with comfrey and calendula. In Germany here it is very difficult to get the dried comfrey leaf. I have found a supplier who offers comfrey "herb". Now I don`t know if this is the whole plant or what... anyway, would that also be ok to use for that oil or must it be the leaf?
Thank you very much!
Best,
Tanja from Munich
Comfrey Toxicity
Posted by Rj (Ct) on 04/24/2018
Dr. Christopher products no longer contain comfrey? As of when? I just purchased the comfrey ointment.
Comfrey Toxicity
Posted by Idot 13 (Ireland) on 02/13/2022
It is about time someone standing up for the people s rights.
Broken Bones
Posted by Mary (Arcadia, Ca) on 09/27/2017
Dear Mama to Many,
Would love your recipe for your comfrey gel.
Thank you very much,
Blessings, Mary
Comfrey Side Effects
Posted by Marla (Brentwood, Tn) on 02/01/2016
Dear Mama to Many,
Did I understand that you make your own comfrey salve? If yes, will you share your recipe? Also, I live in Middle Tennessee --- is this plant readily available to buy as I would like to plant some. I am just now learning about this plant!
Thanks again,
Marla
Where to Buy: Canada
Posted by Mary (Arcadia) on 02/05/2016 50 posts
You can buy Comfrey leaf at Mountain Rose Herbs.com in the USA I went there to check it out they also carry powder as well. Good luck to all of you.
Mary
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.
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.
Comfrey Toxicity
Posted by Teena (Melbourne, Australia) on 04/25/2018 233 posts
Dr Christopher's comfrey ointment has written on it for external use only, much like most comfrey products sold here.
Comfrey Toxicity
Posted by Yeahright (Nashville) on 04/25/2018
Comfrey has been removed from all of Dr. Christopher's ingestible products.
Comfrey Toxicity
Posted by Cindy (Illinois, USA) on 05/08/2024 529 posts
The thing is, if one fights, they will just dig their heels in. You can't fight corruption. Fortunately, you don't have to. If you refrain from attacking those who attack you, karma will find a far better, far more creative and far more painful way to get her due. Karma has the whole of creation at her fingertips. She can part seas, if that's what it takes. It really is best to leave them alone and let her do her thing.
Broken Bones
Posted by Cindy (Illinois, USA) on 05/08/2024 529 posts
The awesomeness of a real crock pot is that the bottom isn't heated.
If you have an old one, you can create distilled water, as needed. With the all glass lid, all you have to do is add water, float a bowl in it and put the lid on upside down. REMEMBERING to let it cool before you try to remove the bowl.
Recently burned my fingers making distilled water this way which is the cause of my renewed interest and deeper dive into comfrey, LOL! Which I'll be planting, as soon as the root cuttings arrive. I also bought seeds....and a root crown...going a bit overboard...but that's my "style"! ROFL!! Or, at least, that's my STORY - but I'm sticking to it!
Where to Buy: Canada
Posted by Michelle (Fort Mcmurray, Alberta, Canada) on 12/20/2013
Where can I buy comfrey? I am looking to buy seasoned comfrey root or tincture. Please help me:)
Where to Buy: Canada
Posted by Ed2010 (Canada) on 12/21/2013
★★★★★
You can buy comfrey roots in any herbal stores. It is widely available in GTA. I bought mine from Herbies-Herbs in Queen Street, Toronto. Or look for the brand Celebration Herbals, it has comfrey tea bags Good Health
Where to Buy: Canada
Posted by Joanne (Victoria, Bc) on 01/20/2014
★★★★★
You can buy bulk from any health food store worth its salt, or from Wild Rose Herbs from Calgary. Also, Community Foods in Calgary, although I can't say where in Edmonton. Any health food store can tell you.
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
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.
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.
Deep Wounds, Tennis Elbow
Posted by Madelyn (Idaho) on 02/05/2021
Was it comfrey leaf or comfrey root?
Comfrey Toxicity
Posted by Cindy (Illinois, USA) on 05/08/2024 529 posts
THAT'S a whole other experiment. Even more exciting than the 4 C's - charcoal, cayenne, comfrey and castor oil.
Where to Buy: Canada
Posted by Atilla (Winnipeg, CA) on 11/04/2014
Hey there EC geeks was just wondering if you would know where if anywhere in Canada, comfrey aka "bone knit" might be available from. Just did a keyword search with Google and you guys topped great list. :) Please and Thank You.
Comfrey Side Effects
Posted by Marla (Brentwood, Tn) on 01/14/2016
I also live in TN and would like to know where your herbalist are as I really need to see someone. Thanks!
Comfrey Side Effects
Posted by Marla (Brentwood, Tn) on 02/03/2016
Thank you for this recipe! I have one more question regarding the comfrey. Right now I have comfrey root powder---should I use this powder form? I have seen dried leaf comfrey for sale--is this the type of comfrey I should get? I am looking forward to making this, just need to get all the ingredients now.
Staph
Posted by Bonnie (South Carolina) on 10/03/2015
I love comfrey and always have it growing in my garden. However, the tincture will not work well for broken bones, sprains, and such. You really need a whole herb compress as water is a much better menstruum for comfrey.
Staph
Posted by Mary (Arcadia, Ca) on 10/07/2017
How much dried Comfrey do I put in a smoothie. Cup or tablespoons?
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.
Comfrey Side Effects
Posted by Marla (Brentwood, Tn) on 02/03/2016
Mama to Many,
Thanks again for sharing your knowledge!
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
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
Russian Comfrey (Symphytum X Uplandicum)
Posted by T. (U.S.) on 05/14/2024
★★★★★
Where Can You Find Russian Comfrey (Symphytum X Uplandicum) for Sale in the U.S.?
Does anyone know where to find Russian Comfrey (symphytum x uplandicum)? I hear it is the best for repairing bones, teeth, etc. I thought I had the right Comfrey before (symphytum officinale), but I recently heard that that form of Comfrey is best for inflammation, not tissue repair. I really need some help finding Russian Comfrey here in the States.
Russian Comfrey (Symphytum X Uplandicum)
Posted by Cindy (Illinois, USA) on 05/15/2024 529 posts
The Bocking comfreys are genetically modified. You understand that, right? They were designed to not seed to increase yields. Some animals won't even eat #14 unless it's all they can get. And even then, some just plain won't eat it. The most complete food on the planet and animals don't want it? THAT'S why we want non-GMO plants.
Russian Comfrey (Symphytum X Uplandicum)
Posted by Madelyn (Idaho) on 05/15/2024
Hi Cindy, what type would you recommend? The officinale?
Sprains
Posted by Bethbs (England) on 05/13/2024
★★★★★
Having badly sprained an ankle and had to walk on it for a mile or so, at the first opportunity, of course I raised it and applied ice without any noticeable diminution of pain. I couldn't move my toes and the pain was excruciating right up to and beyond the knee. Application of a paste made from several large comfrey leaves, liquidised with water and flour to make a fairly stiff, spreadable compress, held in place with Cling Film and an elastic bandage, seemed to provide very effective relief within a couple of hours.
It was removed overnight for convenience but replaced next morning when the pain had returned and again seemed to reduce that pain very quickly and effectively.
I wouldn't normally post a remedy after only one trial, since coincidence and placebo effects may play a part but I'm not planning to have another sprain. I am convinced the comfrey took down the pain extraordinarily quickly.
Traditionally known as Knitbone, the roots of Comfrey are said to be even more efficaceous than the leaves. I've also read that the ankle can be soaked in an infusion of comfrey leaf or root. I haven't tried these methods.
Comfrey is, however, a potent liver toxin so shouldn't be taken internally or applied to open wounds.
I should also add, as a caveat, that after 2 days of use, I've noticed a bit of a tic on the fingers on that side, which may or may not be coincidence, may or may not be related to absorption of the comfrey; or may be related to insult to the nerves, due to the accident.
Gum Recession
Posted by El (Walton, WV) on 04/28/2022
Thought I should share one my experiences with Comfrey - I have gum recession which caused a loose tooth - so I thought "comfrey causes skin to grow so maybe I could fatten up my gum around the loose tooth" - it worked but didn't secure the tooth - it just made the gum thicker in the area where I put it and because it wasn't normal, my attention kept being drawn there to this little mound as well as my tongue :-) It's been a year and has gone down about half.
Gum Recession
Posted by KT (USA) on 04/29/2022
Did you try using Black Walnut to mineralize and strengthen the tooth or did you lose it?
KT
Chickens
Posted by Zark (Emerald City) on 07/27/2017
How did it go? Hope your chicken bounced back :)
Broken Bones
Posted by Rita (Tampa, Florida) on 09/27/2017
My mother is 87 years old. About 3 months ago she broke her neck vertebrae C2. The doctors said she is too old to go through the surgery and that she would have to wear a neck brace the rest of her life. The only time she doesn't have the neck brace on is when she's showering . So she basically where's it 24/7 . In your opinion, do you think the comfrey ointment would heal my moms neck? I suppose it's worth a try, it surely can't hurt.
Hair Rinse
Posted by Joyce (Lansdowne, Pa) on 01/24/2014
★★★★★
I have been using comfrey tea as a hair rinse for over a year and have not experienced any side effects. I brew the tea from dry comfrey leaves.
General Feedback
Posted by Ed2010 (Canada) on 11/21/2013
Dear EC,
Lately, I am testing with Comfrey Leaves and Roots. Although there are widespread information about the usage of Comfrey in Internet.
Comfrey has incredible healing powers for respiratory, skeletal, digestive systems, especially for skeletal systems.
I request you too include section about Comfrey, so the people can advice how to use comfrey.
There are some ways that comfrey should not be taken, but varying info are available online. Some say you can take Comfrey Root Tea, some say you should not take comfrey root tea.
I tried both Root Tea and leaf tea. Leaf Tea was great.
Soon I will post how to use comfrey based on my experience
Good Health
EC: Hi Ed2012, we've had a comfrey page for quite some time! It was one of the first pages we created on Earth Clinic. Looking forward to hearing your feedback!
General Feedback
Posted by Bee (New York, US) on 12/30/2014
I have noticed something very strange .. I am weaning off of a beta blocker and down to 12mgs. but I don't even think it's doing anything anymore and someone had mentioned that around here on the posts.. What I find very interesting is that doctors will give patients 12mgs of a beta blocker to control their hbp . Okay I have read countless stories online about people taking 12mgs. or 6mgs. of this drug and reporting their bp going down.. I think it doesn't even work at that low dose ... So now I am wondering is this like a placebo effect where people's minds are actually believing this drug is working and so the bp goes down.. There is a lot of connection as we know between mind and body... Just another reason for the health industries to push the drugs even when they don't work..and making us think they are working.. Ha. I am not one for conspiracy theories but this makes me wonder..
Nephritis
Posted by Norma (NYC) on 01/11/2024
Comfrey is a shrub. What parts did you eat raw? Leaves, flowers, roots?
Nephritis
Posted by anthony (texas) on 04/22/2024
I know this is an old post but I try it anyways since I would like to try this fast.
Hi Brian,
How many lemons did you juice from Friday 4 PM until Sunday noon?
Did you drink the lemon juice while chewing the raw comfrey leaves?
Or you drank the lemon juice on empty stomach 1- 2 hours away from the raw comfrey leaves?
These details would be critical to know.
Thank you very much
