Comfrey is an herb that has immense medicinal value. The plant grows short, and has spiky and rough leaves. Its root-like stem, roots and leaves are used to prepare various Ayurvedic and natural herbal medicines.
When provided with suitable conditions like damp soils, part shade and heavy sunshine, it can be grown in any backyard. Its extensive usage and advantages have made it very popular in recent times. Listed below are a few benefits of Comfrey leaves.
Romans and Greeks used Comfrey leaf to heal fractures. Comfrey leaves have anti-inflammatory properties that make its application beneficial for quicker healing of pain. It also helps cure rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Skin ulcerations, burns, lacerations, abrasions and all kinds of skin irritations can be relieved by the application of Comfrey leaf ointment. Astringents made using Comfrey leaf juice also relieve one from surface wounds. It helps in quick recovery from injuries.
Comfrey leaves can be applied as a paste or its juice can be used on open wounds. This prevents germ build-up that can cause infection on the affected area. Diabetic sores can also be healed with the use of Comfrey leaf paste.
Use of Comfrey leaves for gargles and mouthwashes is popularly used to relieve ulcers. It has a soothing effect on the mucous membranes in the body that helps clear cough and provides relief in case of a sore throat. This is an effective herb that can cure most respiratory problems and diseases.
Herbal tea made using Comfrey leaves stimulates the secretion of digestive juices in the stomach. This helps in quick digestion of food and prevents problems like heart burn, acidity and other such problems. The soothing effect it has on the digestive tract prevents digestion-related discomforts.
Comfrey enriches any compost and makes it more effective. Piles of comfrey leaves are dried with heavy water buckets on them to make a saturated liquid fertilizer. These have a pungent smell but are very effective in the preparation of manure, and add fertility to the soil.
Ointments made using Comfrey leaf extracts are effective to relieve babies from the very common problem of diaper rash. These are mild and have a soft effect on the baby’s skin. However, since a baby’s skin is very delicate, care must be taken to see if the ointment suits the baby or not.
Application of herbal oil made using Comfrey leaves can cure cold sores. It moisturizes the skin and prevents dryness. Regular use of the ointment is beneficial in keeping various kinds of skin problems at bay. This is a lengthy process and needs patience if you want to witness its effectiveness.
Comfrey leaves are used to make hair masks; turban therapy done using Comfrey leaves and tea made from the herb are excellent for the hair. These condition, nourish and make the hair soft, shiny and smooth. If used as a rinse after regular shampooing, this can prevent hair problems like dandruff, dryness and breakage of hair.
Use of herbal tea made of Comfrey leaves can bring immense comfort to women who have heavy periods and abdominal cramps. It eases the pain and also cleanses the body fast. However, this again is very relative as the same formula might not work for every woman.
Comfrey, in its various forms, has a lot of benefits. Undoubtedly it is a natural way and is preferred before resorting to medicines and other methods of treatment for any illness. But care should be taken about its suitability and dosage. There is no single formula that will benefit all. Moreover, excess intake of any kind of herb is not advisable.