Comfrey is a perennial flowering herb growing in different states of North America. Also known as boneset, knitbone, bruisewort, this herb is very versatile in terms of benefits. When it comes to benefits of comfrey, it has immune medicinal value. Having rough and spiky leaves, this plant grows short. Both leaves and root are used medicinally, but the root seems a little bit more potent as well as mucilaginous than the leaves.
In fact, its leaves and roots are often used for a variety of Ayurvedic and natural herbal medicines. Due to its extensive usages as well as advantages, comfrey is popular in recent days. The following list will reveal top benefits of comfrey for hair, skin and health that you may not know.
8 Benefits Of Comfrey That Surprise You
1. It Serves As Topical Skin Treatment
Comfrey leaves could be used in the form of paste to help heal diabetic sores. You could apply it on abrasion, skin ulcers, and irritation. In addition, it will provide moisture, thereby helping soothe the skin and leaving it supple and soft.
On the other hand, comfrey leaves could be used on open wounds. A poultice made from freshly chopped comfrey leaves can be applied directly to the wound after being covered with a bandage to help treat skin infections. This should be changed daily, and the wound should be cleansed with clean water and a mild soap. This will prevent the build-up of germ which may cause infection on the impacted area.
2. It Reduces The Appearance Of Fine Lines And Wrinkles
The tannin in comfrey acts as anti-inflammatory and astringent agents, helping shrink pores. This herb can re-knit collagen. Containing allantoin, which could promote healing and regenerative properties, the herb is beneficial in sealing the moisture and brightening dried and dull skin. Additionally, it replenishes the human skin and eliminates wrinkles and fine lines.
3. It Relieves Inflammation And Pain
Greeks and Romans often use comfrey leaves to heal the fractures. Having anti-inflammatory properties, comfrey leaves are beneficial for the process of healing pain. Also, comfrey can help cure arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
4. It Soothes Throat Problems
You can use comfrey leaves for mouthwashes and gargles in order to relieve ulcers. Thanks to the soothing effect and expectorant properties, this herb can positively affect the mucous membranes within the body, thereby helping clear cough and supplying a relief in sore throat sufferers. You can use this herb to cure the majority of respiratory problems and ailments.
5. It Eases Digestion
The tea made from comfrey leaves can stimulate the secretion of digestive juices within your stomach. It accelerates the digestion of food and prevents some digestive problems like acidity, heart burn, due to the soothing effect. That is why comfrey is often used for digestion-related discomforts.
6. It Relieves Diaper Rash
One of the most appreciated benefits of comfrey is treating diaper rash in babies. The extracts of this herb are popularly used to make ointments for diaper rash. These ointments are mild, so it does not impact the delicate baby skin.
7. It Cures Bone Fractures
Aside from handling superficial wounds, the oil of comfrey can be applied to fracture bones and torn ligaments, where casting is impossible like ribs.
8. It Is Good For Hair
Comfrey leaves are a great ingredient for hair masks. The turban therapy use comfrey leaves and the tea made from this herb are highly effective for the hair. They nourish and make the hair shiny, soft and smooth. If you apply it as a rinse after shampooing, this could help prevent hair issues such as dryness, dandruff and breakage of the hair.
Additionally, comfrey is also a potential ingredient in hair dying. The chemical based dyes severely damage the hair in the long run, so if you want to prevent your hair from artificial dyes, you had better use natural dyes enriched with the comfrey. Because of the healing property, comfrey does not harm your hair but nourish it with the essential nutrients. Also, this herb is proved to fight dandruff.
How Safe Is It?
Despite of many benefits of comfrey for health and beauty, this herb is not recommended for internal use due to the liver damage caused by the pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Those people with hypersensitivity and allergic reactions to this herb should avoid external use as well. Especially, women getting pregnant or nursing, infants, or those with kidney or liver disease should definitely not use this herb. If you use comfrey extensively or internally, liver damage may occur.
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