Herb Notes: The Benefits of Comfrey

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale or "common comfrey") is a prolific plant that has an infamously mixed reputation as an incredible healing herb and potentially risky herbal ally. We'll get into all of this in the comfrey Herb Note.

Want to learn more about the healing gifts of comfrey?

Let's dive into 3 benefits of comfrey...

1. Comfrey for Broken Bones

Topical applications of comfrey on a properly set broken bone can help heal the bones. Comfrey is a cell proliferant that increases cell growth and granulation—this is how comfrey supports the healing of bone fractures. To experience the bone health benefits of comfrey, apply a topical comfrey poultice or a comfrey salve to the affected area.

2. Comfrey for Sprains and Strains

Just like comfrey can topically support tissue repair for bones, it can also support tissue repair for ligaments and muscles. A topical application of a comfrey poultice, comfrey ointment, or comfrey salve can help reduce swelling and pain intensity and promote healing.

3. Comfrey for Your Garden

Comfrey is a hardy perennial herb that will quickly proliferate in temperate regions—with its tenacious, deep roots it's very hard to get rid of once planted. Just as comfrey can support tissue growth in humans, comfrey can also support the growth of other plants in your garden. You can make a comfrey tea with comfrey leaves (letting it steep for several weeks) and spray this on your other plants to support their growth.

Comfrey Contraindications

There are several key contraindications to keep in mind when working with comfrey. First, if you're working with comfrey topically, avoid using it on dirty, infected, or puncture wounds; comfrey could heal the surface level skin without eliminating the infection.

Second, avoid applying comfrey topically to an area with a broken bone that hasn't been set yet: as Rosalee de la Forêt notes in her Comfrey Monograph, "Because of comfrey's amazing cell proliferation effects, there are concerns that using comfrey topically over a broken bone that hasn't been correctly set may heal the bone out of place."¹

Third, all species of comfrey contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which can potentially cause serious damage to the liver when taken internally. So, it's especially important to avoid internal usage of comfrey for small children, pregnant folks, and people who are lactating. To learn more about comfrey's contraindications, check out the Comfrey Monograph: there will be more information in the "Special Considerations" section.

Want to Learn More About Other Common Herbs' Benefits?

Now that you've learned a little bit about the health benefits of comfrey, you might be wondering how you can learn more about the medicinal properties of other common plants.

Well, here’s the easy way to get more info about some of our favorite herbs: download a FREE deck of our top 12 Herb Notes here. You’ll learn all about the medicinal properties of common herbs like elderberry, dandelion, and more.

Here are a few frequently asked questions about comfrey and its medicinal properties...

What other medicinal plants could I use for sprains and strains?

Other plants you could apply in topical salves and liniments for sprains and strains include arnica, yarrow, ginger, and more.

Should I work with comfrey roots or comfrey leaves?

You can use both the comfrey leaves and comfrey roots for topical preparations of the comfrey plant. The slippery root is even more moistening and demulcent than the leaf.

Is comfrey helpful for dry, irritated skin?

Yes, topical applications of a comfrey ointment, comfrey oil, or comfrey salve can help soothe dry skin. If there's broken skin present, be sure to avoid using comfrey on dirty, infected, or puncture wounds because comfrey could potentially heal the surface layer of skin without eliminating the underlying infection.

What kind of comfrey products should I apply topically?

There are a variety of comfrey products you can apply topically: these topical comfrey preparations include but are not limited to a comfrey poultice, comfrey lotion, comfrey salve, comfrey oil, comfrey liniment, and more.

Written by Tara Ruth

Tara Ruth is an herbalist and the Communications Director at LearningHerbs. She graduated from the California School of Herbal Studies’ Community Herbalist Program and is a total herb nerd. Tara is passionate about teaching folks how to become confident home herbalists. In her free time, you can find Tara hiking in the forest and waving to all the plants along the way.

Footnotes

1. de la Forêt, Rosalee “Comfrey Monograph.” HerbMentor. Accessed May 6th, 2024. https://learningherbs.com/herbmentor/