The healing properties of comfrey: how the lark will help with fractures and bruises

Comfrey medicinal. Botanical illustration from the book "Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen", 1887.

Ancient sources indicate that in ancient Rome comfrey was widely used as a powerful tool for healing wounds for warriors. The plant was also noted by the ancient Greek physician Dioscorides. And, despite the fact that even at the dawn of the formation of medicine, it was known about the medicinal properties of comfrey, its study by scientists began only in the 19th century. But traditional medicine never lost sight of this medicinal herb and recommended the use of comfrey medicinal for joints and in the fight against inflammation.

Botanical description

You can meet a herbaceous plant in forests and ravines, in meadows and meadows, near swamps and rivers. Comfrey can grow near dwellings. He feels comfortable in gardens and even vegetable gardens. You can distinguish a medicinal plant, popularly nicknamed the larkspur, by the following characteristic features.

• Stem. A branched erect stem can reach one meter. It is densely covered with light dense hairs.
• Leaves . In the lower part of the stem, large petiolate leaves grow, the length of which reaches 15 cm and the width is 5 cm. The upper leaves of the comfrey are sessile. They are rough to the touch and have coarse hairs. When the leaves are rubbed, a faint cucumber odor appears.
• Flowers. Bell-shaped flowers form paniculate inflorescences. They are located at the ends of the stem and multiple branches of the plant. Comfrey flowers can be purple, blue, and sometimes lilac and even purple.
• Fruit. Large black fruits are distinguished by an oval or round shape. Four to five of these nuts are formed in one flower.
• Root. The plant has a black rhizome with long root-processes. The root cut is white, very juicy, sweetish in taste.

The root is mainly used for treatment. However, in folk medicine, it is believed that the leaves are also beneficial. The rhizome is dug up in early spring or after the growing season, in the fall. The leaves are harvested during the flowering period of the grass.

The use of comfrey officinalis in folk medicine

The medicinal properties of comfrey are dictated by the content of biologically active components that endow the plant with various healing effects. Allantoin is noted among them. This substance is a natural antibiotic with pronounced antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Allantoin endows the larkspur with the ability to accelerate regeneration and restore bone tissue. That is why comfrey herb is useful for the treatment of pathologies of the ODA (musculoskeletal system). The healing properties of comfrey are the following positive effects on the body:

• restoration of bones and soft tissues;
• stimulation of healing of injuries and wounds;
• relieving pain, spasms;
• relief of inflammation.

In official medicine, comfrey is used to prepare a variety of ointments, creams, balms for the treatment of joints. Especially popular is the balm based on the larkspur (comfrey) dr. Taisa. The herb is highly appreciated by homeopaths. On its basis, a homeopathic preparation for the treatment of ODA ointment "Simfitum" was created.

Comfrey is used not only in medicine. The herb is used in cosmetology. The extract of medicated larkspur is added to the bath to provide effective softening and moisturizing of the skin. The aromatic procedure eliminates acne, inflammation, and promotes tissue regeneration.

Contraindications

Zhivokost can cause serious harm. It is important to remember that comfrey is poisonous. The plant contains alkaloids (consolidin, cinoglossin, laziocarpine), which have carcinogenic properties and, in the case of a large accumulation in the body, can lead to the appearance of tumors. Therefore, the plant is not used in oncology. In addition, these substances can act on the central nervous system. Therefore, the side effects of the abuse of comfrey sometimes manifest themselves in the form of paralysis and difficulty in breathing. Doctors cite the following contraindications to the use of a larkspur:

• pregnancy;
• hypotension;
• liver disease;
• allergy to larkspur;
• lactation period.

The use of the larkspur must be agreed with the doctor. Even when it comes to the use of external means.

Recipes

Comfrey roots are used for the preparation of medicinal infusions, various decoctions. They are used as raw materials for the manufacture of ointments. A medicinal powder is prepared from the roots and even squeezed out of juice. And fresh leaves, rich in ascorbic acid, are used not only in medicine, but also in cooking. They are added to salads to give the dish a spring flavor. Traditional healers recommend the following recipes for medicines.

From articular pathologies

Peculiarities . To reduce joint pain, reduce inflammation provoked by arthritis, arthrosis or rheumatism, it is recommended to resort to a healing ointment. This tool is used for the formulation of compresses. A thin layer of healing ointment is applied to the affected area. Compress paper is applied on top. The joint is then wrapped in a woolen scarf. Such a compress is kept for at least four hours. Repeat the event every day for ten days.

Compound:

• comfrey root - two tablespoons;
• pork fat - four tablespoons;
• pharmacy "Dimexid" - one teaspoon.

Preparation

1. The root is carefully ground to obtain a powder.
2. Comfrey is combined with pork fat.
3. Dimexidum is added.
4. The ointment is kneaded.

After injuries and from skin ailments

Peculiarities . A decoction of the larkspur promotes bone regeneration in case of fractures. It is used to eliminate pain, relieve inflammation after sprains, bruises. The drug is recommended for washing bleeding wounds. This remedy will help get rid of skin problems and effectively accelerate the maturation process of boils. Healing compresses can help relieve arthritis pain. Compresses are applied for four hours, carefully wrapping the source of discomfort with a woolen scarf. It is recommended to repeat the procedure ten times.

Compound:

• comfrey root - 100 g;
• water - 1 l.

Preparation

1. Zhivokost is slightly crushed.
2. The rhizomes are poured with water and simmered over low heat for ten minutes.
3. The broth is filtered.

From osteomyelitis and varicose veins

Peculiarities . For the treatment of osteomyelitis, as well as varicose veins, compresses from a medicinal decoction are recommended. Such compresses are put on all night. The recommended course of treatment can last from two to three weeks, depending on the severity of the pathology.

Compound:

• comfrey root - one tablespoon;
• water is a glass.

Preparation

1. The dry root is slightly crushed.
2. It is placed in water and boiled for 20 minutes.
3. The solution is filtered.

For tuberculosis of bones and gout

Peculiarities . For the treatment of tuberculosis of bones and gout, an internal intake of infusion of larkspur is recommended. This remedy can be used to treat rheumatism, arthrosis. Take the infusion in a tablespoon. The medicine is taken three times during the day and preferably before meals. One course, on average, lasts two weeks.

Compound:

• comfrey root - 15 g;
• milk - 250 ml.

Preparation

1. Comfrey rhizome is crushed to a powder state.
2. The milk is brought to a boil.
3. Shredded larkspur is poured with hot milk.
4. The container is covered and insisted for half an hour.
5. Filter the drink.

For pain with intervertebral hernias

Peculiarities . For the treatment of intervertebral hernias, compresses from larkspur tincture on vodka are recommended. In case of severe pain, it is necessary to rub the disturbing areas with the drug. In addition, for ten days, compresses from tincture are placed on those areas of the spine in which hernias are found. After the course, take a break for ten days. Then the treatment is repeated. To make comfrey tincture at home, use the following recipe.

Compound:

• comfrey root - 50 g;
• vodka - 0.7 l.

Preparation

1. The dry root must be slightly soaked in plain water.
2. The soaked raw materials are poured with vodka.
3. The medicine is insisted, shaking occasionally, for two weeks.
4. Be sure to filter.

From bleeding

Peculiarities . To stop bleeding, it is recommended to apply the powder obtained by crushing the larkspur root directly to the wound. This remedy will disinfect the wound and accelerate healing. But, as the reviews show, fresh comfrey juice copes with bleeding faster and more efficiently. This liquid can be used not only for wounds, but also in case of nosebleeds. To eliminate the problem, turundas are being prepared. They are soaked in larkspur juice and inserted into the nasal passages. When the gauze is completely filled with blood, the turundas are replaced with new ones. This can be repeated three times.

Compound:

• larkspur root (exclusively freshly dug) - 100 g.

Preparation

1. Comfrey is carefully washed under water and cleaned.
2. Fresh raw materials are crushed.
3. The gruel is placed in cheesecloth and the juice is squeezed out.

From prostatitis

Peculiarities . Phytotherapists recommend using candles from larkspur and black poplar buds for the treatment of prostatitis. Such a remedy provides a strong antiseptic effect due to poplar buds and an effective reduction in the inflammatory process due to the inclusion of comfrey in suppositories. Candles are put on for a month every other day, at night.

Compound:

• cocoa butter - 30 g;
• comfrey root - 30 g;
• black poplar buds - 20 g.

Preparation

1. The cocoa butter is melted.
2. Powders from comfrey roots and poplar buds are poured into this mixture.
3. The drug is carefully mixed.
4. The mixture is spread on a sheet of foil. By rolling the foil, a "tube" with a diameter of 10-12 mm is formed.
5. The preparation in foil is placed in the refrigerator.
6. They are waiting for solidification.
7. The foil is then unrolled. The frozen tube is cut into "candles" 3-4 cm long.
8. From the ingredients specified in the recipe, you should get ten suppositories.

Traditional medicine recommends taking comfrey preparations inside for gastritis and bronchitis. However, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at the beginning of this century withdrew all comfrey domestic drugs from the market. This was due to the discovery of carcinogenic properties in the plant, that is, the ability to cause tumors. Therefore, it is dangerous to take comfrey inside.

However, if a larkspur is growing in your garden, then do not rush to dig up the roots. An effective lifeguard at your fingertips. Pay attention to the leaves. If the lower back is ill or the joint has made itself felt, then comfrey treatment can help you. Tear fresh leaves into pieces and attach to the sore spot. Wrap with clean gauze and let the compress sit for 10-12 hours.