Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
If you're looking for a natural remedy to soothe aches, pains, and inflammation, comfrey salve is a time-tested herbal solution you can make at home. Comfrey has been used for centuries to help with bruises, sprains, sore muscles, and even minor joint pain.
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is a fast-growing perennial herb with broad, hairy leaves and purple bell-shaped flowers. It contains compounds like allantoin and rosmarinic acid, which are believed to help accelerate skin cell regeneration and reduce inflammation.
While comfrey is highly effective when used externally, remember that it should not be applied to open wounds due to the risk of trapping the infection beneath the skin.
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Why Use Comfrey Salve?
A salve made from comfrey allows the beneficial compounds to absorb through the skin, offering localized pain relief for:
- Bruises
- Muscle strains and sprains
- Arthritis and joint inflammation
- Minor back pain
- General soreness
The Perfect Comfrey Salve Recipe
I recently found a fantastic, easy-to-follow comfrey salve recipe on the YouTube channel, OldAlabamaGardener. You can watch his video below, but I also typed up the instructions for those who would rather read.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried comfrey leaves
- 2½ cups organic olive oil
- 2 ounces beeswax (about 2 one-ounce sticks)
- 800 IU Vitamin E (from gel capsules or liquid)
- 4 oz glass jars or containers (for storing the salve)
Instructions:
1. Dehydrate Your Comfrey
If you're harvesting fresh comfrey from your garden, you'll need to dry it first. Air drying or using a dehydrator on low heat is important as high heat can destroy comfrey's beneficial properties and turn the leaves dark brown. Once they're fully dried, crumble the leaves by hand to prepare them for infusion.
2. Infuse the Oil
Combine:
- 1 cup of dried comfrey leaf
- 2½ cups of organic olive oil
Use a crockpot on low (around 125°F) to infuse the comfrey into the oil for 8 to 10 hours. Leave the lid off to avoid condensation and keep the temperature low. This long, slow infusion draws out the healing compounds from the herb.
3. Strain the Infused Oil
Once infused, pour the mixture through several layers of cheesecloth into a clean container. Squeeze well to extract as much oil as possible. Discard the leftover plant material.
4. Melt the Beeswax
Using a double boiler setup (or an Instant Pot with a bowl on top), melt 2 ounces of beeswax.
Avoid using your regular cooking pans. You should designate a separate pan for making herbal products like this.
5. Mix and Add Vitamin E
While the beeswax is still warm:
- Stir in the infused comfrey oil.
- Add 800 IU of Vitamin E, which acts as a natural preservative. If you're using gel capsules, poke a hole and squeeze the contents into the mixture.
Mix thoroughly to combine.
6. Pour Into Containers
Carefully pour the liquid salve into glass jars or tins.
7. Let It Cool
Let it cool overnight before sealing with a lid.
Storage Tips:
- Store in a cool, dark place.
- The salve should last about 6 months.
- Label your jars with the date of creation for easy tracking.
Important Safety Note:
Do not use comfrey salve on open wounds. Since comfrey encourages rapid skin growth, it can seal a wound from the outside before it heals fully inside, potentially trapping an infection.
This DIY comfrey salve is easy to make in batches, and it makes a thoughtful gift for friends and family interested in natural remedies. Be sure to check out OldAlabamaGardener on YouTube for more traditional homesteading wisdom.
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