What Is Comfrey Oil?

History

• Comfrey is a member of the borage family and its oil has been used as a healing herb for centuries. The ancient Greeks and Romans used it to stop bleeding and heal cuts. It is a plant native to Asia and Europe, but is also now grown in the United States and Australia.

Uses

• Comfrey oil is used to treat many ailments and injuries including burns, lacerations, rashes, psoriasis, eczema, insect bites, swelling, bruises, sprains, nerve pain, broken bones and arthritis. It is also used as a skin moisturizer and a wrinkle deterrent, and to diminish scarring and stretch marks.

Active Ingredient

• The roots and leaves of comfrey contain allantoin, which is known to break down red blood cells and possibly increase white blood cell production. This aids in the healing of wounds by accelerating new tissue growth.

How Comfrey Oil Is Made and Used

• The root and leaves of comfrey are ground up and added to canola oil. Comfrey oil can also be made by infusing oil with extracts from the plant's roots and leaves. The oil is rubbed directly onto the affected area of the body and provides long-lasting relief. It can also be used as a bath oil to soothe eczema and other itchy skin afflictions.

Warnings

• Comfrey oil should not be used on a dirty wound, as it can heal the skin over the wound and trap the dirt inside. It also should not be used on deep wounds as comfrey contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which have been linked to liver cancer. Therefore, avoid getting comfrey oil directly into the bloodstream. Comfrey oil should never be ingested.

Other Names

• Comfrey is also known as gum plant, healing herb, slippery root, knitbone and blackwort.