COMFREY

Comfrey roots, like most perennial roots, contains compounds that can harm your liver & may also be carcinogenic.
Eating or taking any form of comfrey by mouth is considered unsafe, due to the pyrrolizidine alkaloids that comfrey contains, dangerous chemicals that can cause cancer, severe liver damage & even death when you consume them.

Comfrey leaves are not only rich in proteins, they are a great source of folic acid, many vitamins & every mineral & trace mineral we need for a strong immune system, a calm nervous system & a happy hormone system.

Comfrey is rich in vitamin B12, which is important to vegetarians, as very few plants have B12. It is also rich in vitamins B1, B2, C, E, A & pantothenic acid plus calcium, iron, manganese & phosphorus.

Comfrey roots & leaves can provide natural healing properties for all different types of ailments because of its high allantoin content which makes cells grow faster. When applied externally to bruising, sprains, arthritis or any inflamed tissue, it acts as an anti-inflammatory & pain reliever.
Comfrey is used in alternative herbal treatments to treat ailments & problems, such as healing wounds & fractures, stimulating cell growth.
It reduces inflammation & controls bleeding.
Comfrey may be used topically as a salve or poultice on cuts, bruises, abrasions & burns.
Some other afflictions comfrey will help are: sciatica, boils, neuralgia, varicose veins, bed sores,insect bites, tumors, muscular pain, pulled tendons, gangrene, shingles & skin problems.

Comfrey has been used internally for treatment of gastric & duodenal ulcers, chronic bronchial disease, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, glandular swelling & rheumatism.
Comfrey herb has anti-inflammatory, analgesic & decongestant properties which make it suitable for treatment of bone fractures & sprains & strains.

Drinking a few drops of Comfrey in water can help with a variety of bronchial complaints, particularly whooping cough.
Boiling the crushed root yields a mild remedy for diarrhea & other gastro-intestinal problems.

PRECAUTIONS:

Comfrey has toxic substances that can cause severe liver damage & even death.
The toxic substances in comfrey can be absorbed by the skin. Even creams & ointments should be used for only a short time.
When taking comfrey internally, great care must be taken to prevent liver toxicity & damage.

Use only small amounts of creams with comfrey for no longer than 10 days at a time.

Do not use any comfrey product for more than 4 - 6 total weeks in a year.

Do not use comfrey on open wounds or broken skin.
Do not use comfrey if you have liver disease, alcoholism, or cancer.
Children, the elderly & pregnant or breastfeeding women should not use any comfrey products, even ones for the skin.

Most herbalists limit its use internally to short term applications some say it should only be applied externally, others point to the fact that a cup of comfrey contains less cancer causing potential than a can of beer.
Comfrey contains alkaloids, so does any number of things, including tomatoes & potatoes.

RECIPES:

Comfrey ointment:

take 3/4 cup of comfrey oil & mix it in the glass bowl with 15 g of grated beeswax.
Melt the beeswax & oil together, stirring until they are combined.
Pour into a jar while still hot & liquid.
Will set & gel as it cools.

Healing Salve for Wounds:

¼ cup beeswax
1 cup infused comfrey oil
20 drops tea-tree essential oil
1 tsp of goldenseal powder
3 tbsp olive oil

Shave or cut the beeswax into small chunks.
In a small saucepan, warm the infused comfrey oil & the beeswax.
Mix goldenseal powder with olive oil.
Heat the ingredients over low heat until the beeswax is just melted. Don't allow the ingredients to boil.
Remove from heat & add the tea-tree essential oil, add the olive oil-goldenseal mixture. 
Then pour the salve into a sterilized containers & store in a cool, dark, dry place for up to 1 year.

Quick & Easy Healing Salve:

½ cup all-vegetable shortening (at room temperature)
10 drops tea-tree essential oil
10 drops calendula extract
In a small bowl, whip ingredients together, using a small whisk or spatula, until thoroughly blended. 
The salve should have the look & feel of fluffy, orange butter-cream frosting. Store in a labeled plastic or glass container in a cool place for up to 3 months, or refrigerate for up to 1 year.

Syrup :

Soak 2 tbsp of comfrey root in 2 cups of water overnight.
Bring to a boil & simmer 30 minutes. Strain.
Combine the remaining liquid with an equal amount of honey, or a 3 parts honey/1 part glycerin mixture.
Heat until just before boiling, turn down & simmer again for 5 minutes.
Cool, store in a glass jar away from heat & light.
Take 1 tbsp 3-4 times a day.

Tea, if you have access to fresh leaves, you can use them as a poultice or skin wash.
Comfrey root is infused in oils & used in salves for healing skin.
Comfrey salves, ointments & teas are best known for the topical treatment of burns, skin ulcerations, abrasions, lacerations, flea & insect bites & just about & skin irritation.
Fresh leaves can be applied to bruises, fractures, sprains & other injuries.

Compresses are an simple & fast way to use the healing power of comfrey on troubled skin.
Soak a clean cloth in a strong decoction of the root or leaf.
Apply directly to the affected skin area.

Tincture:

Grind the dried roots into a coarse powder.
Cover completely with vodka or brandy.
Place in a cool, dark cupboard & shake daily.

BEAUTY:

Comfrey's skin-healing agents make it an invaluable cosmetic herb.
You can add comfrey to your bath water to soften skin, using a muslin tea bag filled with dried or fresh leaves or root, hanging under the running spigot & soaking it in the bath like a big teacup.
Comfrey has more mucilage than marshmallow, which is why it has a softening effect in skin & hair products.
Comfrey tea, made from root or leaves, poured over hair as a rinse, makes hair soft as silk.
You can make a nice hair tonic by making tea from stinging nettles, comfrey, rosemary & mint. Strain tea, then pour over hair as final rinse in shower. You do not need to rinse it out. Hair will feel stronger, shinier & softer. Make fresh before each use.
Comfrey sitz bath are useful for itchy vaginal tissues in menopause, using comfrey tea, for a 5-10 minute soak.
This makes the vaginal tissues stronger, softer & more flexible.
Comfrey root compresses are also recommended for this purpose.
A compress is made from comfrey root soaked in boiling water for a half hour to an hour, strained & then a towel is soaked in it.
The towel is then applied to the woman's genitals as she reclines.

Comfrey oil:

place the roots in a blender or food processor with olive oil to cover & grind as fine as possible.
Transfer to a large glass jar & allow to soak for several weeks before straining.
Filter through a wire mesh strainer with cheesecloth or in a coffee filter.
Use as a compress or poultice.  

MAGIC:

Comfrey is for prosperity & protection magic for the home & for land.
It can be used in a ritual, or hung about the home, or planted on the land for this purpose.
Wear or carry it for protection & to ensure safety during travel. Tuck some into your suitcase to
prevent them from being lost or stolen.
Also used in money spells.

A strong decoction of comfrey leaves can be employed as a cleansing bath to help strip off negative energy & cleanse the body of any malignancy.

An incense made from dried comfrey leaves & roots to drive away evil spirits, aid in concentration, whet one's psychic abilities & allow for the easy & painless severance of unhealthy relationships.