Comfrey

Comfrey, also known as Blackwort, bruisewort, gum plant, healing herb, knitback, salsify, slippery root, and wallwort, is a perennial plant common in moist meadows and other moist places in the U.S. and Europe. The rootstock is black outside, fleshy and whitish inside, and contains a glutinous juice. The angular, hairy stem bears bristly, oblong lanceolate leaves, some petioled, some sessile. There are also tongue-shaped basal leaves that generally lie on the ground. The whitish or pale purple flowers have a tubular corolla resembling the finger of a glove and grow in forked scorpioid racemes from May to August.

Comfrey can be used as an anodyne, astringent, demulcent, emollient, expectorant, hemostatic, refrigerant, and/or vulnerary. A decoction of the rootstock makes a good gargle and mouthwash for throat inflammations, hoarseness, and bleeding gums. Drink it to take care of most digestive and stomach problems, for intestinal difficulties, for excessive menstrual flow, and to stop spitting blood. Powdered rootstock can also be taken internally for bloody urine (hematuria), leucorrhea, diarrhea, gastro-intestinal ulcers, dysentery, and persistent coughs. Externally, use the powder as a hemostatic agent, and make a poultice for wounds, bruises, sores, and insect bites. The hot pulp of the rootstock makes a good external application for bronchitis, pleurisy, and for the pain and inflammation of pulled tendons. Add the rootstock to your bath water regularly for a more youthful skin.

Historical Benefits:

• Assists with mouth and throat irritations.
• Aid for certain intestinal disorders.
• Helps heal wounds, bruises, and insect bites.

Home Page || Back || Product Index