Medicinal properties of comfrey. Comfrey officinalis: properties and uses

Where does the herb Comfrey grow, what does it look like and what are its medicinal properties - let's see from the description below, look at its appearance from the photo and get additional information about the medicinal herb from the video.

Comfrey is official name a plant that many know as larkspur.

Rate it beneficial features people were able during the war and the epidemic, because it can be used to effectively treat severe fractures and injuries. Therefore, each field doctor definitely had a comfrey with you. Therapeutic effect of this plant is associated with its effects on bones and joints. With its timely use, damaged tissues begin to recover quickly, so it is often used for fractures, dislocations of joints and bruises. In other words, this plant is ideal for situations where it is necessary to disinfect a wound and speed up the process of tissue regeneration.

Description of the medicinal comfrey

Comfrey is one of the famous representatives of herbaceous plants that can be found in Europe and Western Asia.

In our country, this plant is represented everywhere in the European part, in the south Western Siberia, in the Crimea and the Caucasus.

The favorite habitats of this plant are broad-leaved forests, glades, wet meadows, coasts of water bodies, as well as forest ravines and the outskirts of swamps.

Often it grows near houses, in gardens and kitchen gardens, as well as in places where garbage is stored, where high humidity prevails.

Comfrey is a classic perennial from the borage family. In the process of growth, it forms a branched stem that can grow up to 1 m. At the bottom, the plant has a tetrahedral shape, it is decorated with large oblong-shaped leaves, having a length of 10-15 cm and a width of 5 cm. winged petioles, the leaves located in the upper part are sessile. characteristic feature leaves and stems of comfrey is the presence of hard hairs.

An adult plant has a short black root with a thickening. At the point of cut, the rhizome has White color The pulp has a sweetish astringent taste.

During the growing season, small tubular-bell-shaped flowers are formed. They grow in the form of panicles at the ends of the stem and branches. By themselves, they resemble a one-sided curl, which remains closed until flowering. When this time comes, the flowers begin to change: at this moment they can acquire a purple, lilac or purple hue. Flowers usually begin to open between May and June.

At the stage of seed ripening, four smooth black nuts are formed, reaching a length of 4-5 mm. They usually ripen in July-September. Each adult comfrey can produce 800-1000 seeds per season. For propagation, you can use seeds or divide the rhizome.

AT medicinal purposes use the roots and leaves of comfrey. The collection of roots should be done in early spring before the leaves bloom.

They can also be harvested in the fall, but only after when time will pass flowering. The collected raw materials must be thoroughly washed, cut and left in a drying room.

This process takes a long time, because during the growth of comfrey roots accumulate a large number of moisture. Comfrey leaves are harvested during flowering.

The roots of this plant are of great value due to the presence of biologically active substances in their composition: allantoin, alkaloid cynoglossin, saponins, tannins, etc.

Among experts, this family is called Symphytum, which in Greek means "to grow together." And this is quite logical, since the properties of comfrey allow you to treat bone fractures. The species itself is called officinale, which can be translated as "medicinal".

The name of this plant, which is popular among the inhabitants of our country, can be explained by the places where comfrey grows. Most often it can be found in damp low-lying places. It is also known under other names - borage, pharmaceutical omentum, pravokost.

Folk healers have long been able to get acquainted with the beneficial properties of the comfrey root. Preparations from this raw material are very effective in the treatment of bone fractures, wounds, kidney diseases, coughs, bronchitis, and pulmonary tuberculosis. They can also help with inflammation of the stomach and intestines, diarrhea, restore metabolism. As an external agent, they are used in the fight against diseases such as:

stomatitis;
purulent rashes;
skin cracks;
trophic ulcers.

For internal consumption, comfrey-based products are used in cases where it is necessary to achieve the fastest fusion of bones and tissue healing. Decoctions and infusions of herbs have unique properties, thanks to which you can stop bleeding. They also help with hemoptysis, chronic inflammation respiratory system, as well as in the development gastrointestinal diseases. External use of these agents is associated with the treatment of conditions such as:

dislocations;
fractures;
bruises;
inflammation of the veins;
skin diseases;
ulcers;
wounds;
rheumatic pains.

Videos comfrey

Application of comfrey root

No other plant can be compared with this plant in the treatment of joint diseases, because it has a healing, anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic effect.

Such healing properties of comfrey herb can be explained by the fact that a large amount of allantoin is present in its composition.

It's unique natural antibiotic, which has a powerful bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effect, perfectly cleanses the lesion, triggers the formation of new, healthy cells.

This plant is indispensable in the treatment of fractures, severe bruises and dislocations, as well as joint diseases, since it has the ability to relieve inflammation and swelling. But most importantly, it stimulates the cartilage healing process.

Healing tincture of comfrey roots

For this remedy, you need to take one tablespoon of crushed roots and pour one glass of hot boiled water. Next, the mixture is allowed to brew for 6-8 hours and filtered. When the roots increase in size, they are again poured with 1 cup of boiling water, but now the duration of the infusion is reduced to 30 minutes. After that, the infusion is filtered again. After the stages, two parts of the infusion are taken and combined. The finished product is drunk in two tablespoons every two to three hours.

This infusion helps in the treatment of chronic bronchitis, catarrhs respiratory tract. Effectively fights inflammatory processes, facilitates the process of sputum removal.

Medicinal infusion of comfrey roots

For this remedy, you will need half a glass of fresh chopped roots, which must be poured with 40 ° vodka in an amount of 0.5 liters. Next, the mixture is placed in a dark cool place. After 10 days, the finished tincture should be filtered. Means drink 20-30 drops. Reception scheme - 3-5 times a day before meals, adding to a small amount of water.

With the help of infusion and tincture of the comfrey plant, you can speed up the healing process for bone fractures, dislocations of joints, severe bruises, osteomyelitis, as well as wounds and purulent periodontal disease.

Also, these funds are effective as baths, washes, lotions, compresses, which can be combined with ingestion.

Drugs can alleviate the patient's condition with chronic inflammation, stomach ulcers and duodenum, diarrhea, dysentery, chronic bronchitis - relieve inflammation, pain in the intestines.

The beneficial properties of the infusion from this medicinal plant are manifested in improving metabolism, digestion and increasing appetite.

Medicinal decoction of comfrey roots

To prepare this remedy, you will need 1 tablespoon of the roots, which must be poured with one glass of hot boiled water. Next, the mixture is put on the stove and boiled over low heat for 10 minutes. Ready broth must be filtered.

The tool is intended for internal and external use in the treatment of conditions such as:

rheumatism;
gout;
wounds;
boils;
ulcers and other skin diseases.

Also, a decoction of comfrey root can help people who have uterine, hemorrhoidal and other types of bleeding, as well as signs of inflammation of the bladder.

It is useful to use a decoction of a medicinal plant to eliminate nosebleeds. This will require small swabs, which are moistened in a decoction, and then inserted into the nostrils.

Also, this remedy can be used to treat skin wounds, abrasions, bruises with hemorrhage.

A decoction of the herb can also be used for cosmetic purposes. To do this, lotions are made to eliminate the effect of dry skin, as well as poultices, which are effective against irritation, redness and peeling of the skin.

With regular use of a decoction of herbs, you can improve the condition of hair that has a problem such as alopecia areata - hair loss.

In conclusion about the herb comfrey

Comfrey is a fairly well-known plant in our country, which is often used as an effective remedy in the treatment of fractures. Moreover, the most valuable part of the comfrey are the roots, from which preparations are prepared.

The healing properties of comfrey are associated with its ability to act on damaged tissues, triggering the mechanism of their regeneration. Therefore, this remedy is appropriate to use not only for minor injuries, such as wounds and abrasions, but also for more serious conditions, such as fractures.

Based on the roots and leaves of comfrey, infusions, tinctures and decoctions are prepared, which can also help with other painful conditions. Therefore, during inflammatory processes occurring during internal organs, as well as weakened immunity, many experts advise using preparations based on this plant.

Video: Useful properties of Comfrey

Medicinal, medicinal herb comfrey - photo of a medicinal plant

Preparation and storage of comfrey

For the preparation of dosage forms, freshly harvested leaves and rhizomes are used. You can store the leaves for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator or in a dark, cool place. Since the plant is a perennial and its roots overwinter in the ground, they are harvested almost all year round.

Although it is possible to dig up the root in mid-March, it will be most successful to prepare it at the end of November. After digging, large roots are thoroughly cleaned from the ground with brushes (it is not recommended to wash the root), small ones are cut off and not used. Then cut thinly, air-dry strung on a thread. After the pieces of the root lose moisture, they are stored in clothes bags in dry rooms. If there is a risk of moisture ingress, they are clogged in clean, dry jars, periodically airing (in case of long-term storage). The maximum storage period is 3 years.

Application in everyday life

Comfrey leaves are rich in vitamin C, so they have a sour taste and are used in cooking as an additive to salads and summer soups. Finely chopped leaves from the top of the plant are suitable for this.

The viscous juice of the rhizome is widely used for the preparation of home cosmetic products. Combining in proportions 2: 1 juice of comfrey root and infusion of chamomile flowers, you can prepare a healing lotion for enlarged pores. Juice in its pure form is used as spot masks on severely inflamed skin, acne, minor scratches on the face.

The composition and medicinal properties of comfrey

The uniqueness of the composition of comfrey is due to the record, in comparison with all medicinal plants, the content of allantoin. This natural substance is a derivative of purine and has an amazing ability to stimulate the regeneration of cells in the human body, including the restoration of bone tissue.
In addition to allantoin, comfrey root contains tannins, many alkaloids, starch, sugars, vitamin B12, substances from the flavonoid group. The leaves and stems of the plant contain a lot of fiber and vitamin C.
Comfrey is effective, first of all, against many diseases of the musculoskeletal system - bone fractures, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, arthrosis, joint inflammation.
Zhivokost has a powerful hemostatic property, regardless of the source of bleeding - internal or external. Only the mechanism for stopping bleeding is different - with internal bleeding, active substances comfrey, acting on the source in a neurohumoral way. External bleeding is stopped thanks to allantoin and root mucus. Comfrey works even where the usual synthetic means for healing are powerless - on trophic ulcers, with osteomyelitis.
A positive effect in the fight against chronic bronchitis gives the use of a decoction of the root of the livestock, as it has a noticeable expectorant and anti-inflammatory effect.
Useful infusion of comfrey root on water for diseases gastrointestinal tract with an inflammatory component and hyperacidity. In this case, the astringent, enveloping and anti-inflammatory effect of the drug is manifested.
Milk infusion is used in the so-called tuberculosis of the bones, in combination with antibiotic therapy, as a supportive agent that stimulates bone regeneration.
Livestock ointment can be prepared at home and it will become indispensable tool in the fight against joint pain, trophic ulcers, slowly healing wounds, abscessing ulcers, bruises. This is an excellent decongestant after injuries and operations.
In homeopathy, there is a preparation based on comfrey - Symphytum. It is prepared from the fresh root, which is extracted before the flowering of the plant. It is used to form callus with cracked bones and fractures, wounds that are difficult to heal, impaired blood supply to the limbs.
In the modern pharmacological industry, comfrey extracts are used for the preparation of ointments, syrups, and cosmetics.
The high concentration of active components determined the toxicity of the plant. Some sources note cases of toxic effects of comfrey on the liver, a carcinogenic effect. It also has a powerful myostimulating effect and helps to reduce the muscles of the intestines and uterus, so it should be used with great care.

The use of comfrey in folk medicine

A decoction of the larkspur root for fractures, torn ligaments, bleeding

Per 1000 ml clean water take 100 g of finely chopped root and boil over low heat for 10-15 minutes. Then the broth is filtered, used as lotions, warm compresses. The decoction is applied to the painful, edematous area immediately after the injury only in a chilled state, and after 2-3 days - warm compresses followed by wrapping. Can be applied as emergency method, but a positive and lasting effect is achieved after 7-10 applications.

Comfrey root juice for bleeding (including nasal)

The freshly dug root is thoroughly washed, cut across, rubbed on a fine grater and with the help of gauze, the mucous juice is filtered. With nosebleeds, a cotton swab is impregnated with juice and injected deep into the nasal passage. If the swab fills with blood, the procedure should be repeated. Often 2-3 tampons are enough to stop the bleeding. With wound bleeding, the juice is dripped directly into the wound, it reacts with blood and speeds up the process of “baking” the wound.

Ointment from fresh comfrey roots from any pathology of the musculoskeletal system

Prepare 1 part of gruel from fresh roots while keeping the juice. Melt lard or lard in a water bath (1 part). Add gruel from the root to the fat, insist for a day in a dark place, store the ointment in glass jar under the lid in the refrigerator.

Ointment from dry roots from trophic ulcers

To prepare the ointment, you need 100 g of dry roots and 200 g of dried horse chestnut flowers. These ingredients are ground into powder, add 5 tablespoons of alcohol or vodka, stir until lumps appear. At this time, 400 ml of pork fat is melted in a water bath. Hot lard and an alcohol-herbal mixture are thoroughly mixed and sent to the oven or oven for languishing for 3-4 hours. final stage preparation of the ointment is boiling over high heat for 5-7 minutes. After that, the contents of the cauldron must be placed in several layers of gauze and forcefully deposited into a glass dish. This liquid is the ointment. About 100 ml of the finished product comes out of the above quantity.

The finished ointment is used at night, covered with polyethylene and wrapped in a warm cloth.

Aqueous infusion of dry roots for gastritis and gastric ulcer, constipation

Pour 2 tablespoons of dry matter with 2 cups of boiling water, keep in an open thermos for 15 minutes, then insist in a closed one for 5-7 hours. Strained infusion is taken in 80-100 ml of infusion half an hour before meals for a month and a half. Then they take a break of 2 months.

Alcohol tincture in the complex treatment of ulcers and fractures

Manifests high efficiency when used together with comfrey root ointment. To prepare the tincture, you will need half a liter of vodka and 100 g of dry root powder. After 2-3 weeks, the tincture is ready for use. Apply 40 drops to half a glass of water 30 minutes before meals.

Contraindications

Comfrey is contraindicated for allergy sufferers and pregnant women. Western medicine recommends avoiding its oral intake and does not use comfrey extracts for preparation medicines. Pregnant women are not allowed to take comfrey due to powerful action, stimulating the uterine muscles.

Comfrey - medicinal plant with numerous foliage, white hairs on the stems and a developed root system. It grows mainly in areas located near natural water bodies (rivers, lakes, swamps or streams).

Peat-mineral soils are considered ideal conditions for comfrey. For medicinal and prophylactic purposes, as a rule, the roots of the plant are used.

Tinctures, decoctions, mixtures for brewing, lotions or compresses are made from them. Folk medicine recipes based on comfrey have been known since ancient times.

What is useful comfrey?

The scope of comfrey as a medicine is diverse. On the one hand, it is a good anti-inflammatory agent, on the other - effective method treatment and prevention of many diseases.

All parts of the plant have useful properties, but the highest concentration of vitamins, minerals and macronutrients is concentrated in its rhizomes.

The benefits of comfrey for the human body:

the ability to stop external bleeding (an effective remedy for all forms of wounds, including cuts);
beneficial effect on the elimination of symptoms internal bleeding(for example, gastric or intestinal);
the ability to accelerate the process of bone tissue fusion (with dislocations, fractures and other injuries);
normalization of appetite;
helps to reduce the symptoms of hemorrhoids and other diseases of the colon;
reduces symptoms bronchial asthma, chronic lung diseases;
reduction of symptoms in oncological diseases;
lowering blood sugar levels;
has an antimicrobial effect on the human body;
beneficial effect on the respiratory system;
elimination of symptoms of diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
providing an anti-inflammatory effect;
elimination pain and consequences of bruises;
getting rid of symptoms;
the ability to accelerate the treatment of dental diseases;
acceleration of tissue repair process various groups(bone, skin, etc.);
restoration of the main functions of the epithelium;
acceleration of the healing process of burns varying degrees gravity;
strengthening the intestinal muscles (as well as a beneficial effect on the muscles of the female genital organs);
providing a therapeutic effect on skin(in case of damage, inflammation, skin diseases);
elimination of symptoms of colitis of any form;
increased vitality (especially during the recovery period after illnesses or operations);
lowering blood pressure;
stimulation of cell growth and regeneration;
elimination of symptoms of deviations in the performance of the nervous system;
acceleration of the process of expectoration of sputum;
improvement of metabolism and normalization of digestion.

Comfrey in medicinal purposes It is used in the form of tinctures, decoctions, baths, compresses, lotions or mouth and throat rinses.

The plant is part of some medicines or used to prepare home remedies for traditional medicine recipes.

All instructions must be followed in strict accordance with the recommendations. Otherwise, comfrey will harm the body.

Nutritional value and calories

The calorie content of comfrey is equated to traditional indicators herbal preparations. 100 g of the product contains no more than 1.2 kcal. Comfrey does not contain fats and proteins, and carbohydrates account for only 0.3 g. The nutritional value the roots and leaves of the plant do not differ.

Comfrey contains the following substances:

allantoin;
tannin components;
choline;
traces of essential oil;
glycoprotein;
coumarin;
inulin;
cellulose;
starch;
resins;
trace elements;
macronutrients;
vitamins of various groups;
potassium;
silicon compounds;
fructans;
phytosterol.

Is there any harm and contraindications?

Comfrey is one of the poisonous plants. This nuance must be taken into account when using it in any form. Excessive use or consumption of comfrey can have Negative influence to the central nervous system cause abnormalities in the functioning of the liver.

In addition, manufactured ointments should never be rubbed into the affected areas. They need to treat the skin around the wound or injured area. Decoction-based compresses are safer to use. They can be applied directly to the site of bruises or injuries.

Contraindications for the use of comfrey include:

pregnancy at any time;
lactation period;
childhood(most sources mention information about the prohibition of the use of comfrey up to 7 years, but for older children it is also better not to use it);
prone to allergic reactions.

It is better to use comfrey in any form after consulting a specialist or carefully studying the information about this plant. AT minimum quantities roots and leaves will not harm the body, but in case of an overdose, serious deviations in the performance of individual systems can occur.

Methods of application in traditional medicine

The most common area of application of comfrey is the treatment of the consequences of fractures and external inflammatory processes(ulcers, ulcers, etc.). However, due to the beneficial properties of the plant, it is widely used in the treatment of respiratory diseases, for rejuvenation and healing of the body.

AT alternative medicine there are hundreds of recipes that mention comfrey leaves or roots.

for bone fractures:

bandage from fresh leaves(leaves of the plant must be chopped with a knife or turned into gruel with a blender, the resulting mass is wrapped in a bandage and applied to the affected area, this method is most effective in treating the consequences of fractures after removing the plaster or as first aid);
compresses to improve the process of bone fusion (100 g of comfrey roots should be boiled in water for 10 minutes, strain the broth, moisten gauze or bandage in it, apply to a sore spot, repeat the procedures several times a day, in a similar way, you can treat diseases of the joints).

for bleeding:

in the treatment of diseases of the digestive system:

alcohol tincture (100 g of dry comfrey root powder should be poured with 500 ml of vodka or alcohol, the tincture should be infused for at least 14 days, after which it is filtered and consumed 40 drops dissolved in a glass of water before meals three times a day for one month) ;
water tincture (two tablespoons of crushed comfrey roots should be poured with 400 ml of boiling water, it is better to mix the components with a thermos, after 15 minutes the resulting tincture can be poured into a glass container, where it must be insisted for another 6 hours, it is recommended to use the product before meals for 50 ml ).

in cosmetology:

solution for acne (10 g of comfrey powder should be diluted with half a glass of boiling water, insist, cool, wipe the face with the resulting solution daily until the desired result is obtained, it is better not to use such a remedy for the prevention of acne, but to use it only if there are problems with the skin);
gruel for rejuvenation (a small amount of comfrey powder should be mixed with any vegetable oil, mixed until smooth and applied to the face thin layer, it is necessary to wash off the mask after 20 minutes, such a tool helps to normalize the process of cell regeneration and their restoration, it is recommended to use this technique in the presence of the first signs of aging, it should be applied once a week).

The history of the use of comfrey in medical purposes contains many interesting facts. For example, it was widely used by ancient alchemists as a means that could instantly stop the blood and save a person's life.

AT different times The plant has been given different names. The most common references are larkspur, goatbeard, black grass, medicinal leaf, slippery root. All types of comfrey are poisonous, so when using traditional medicine recipes, it is important to observe safety measures.

It is difficult to imagine an herb that heals broken bones, but there is one in nature. This is comfrey, or larkspur, - a powerful perennial from the Burachnikov family. The proposed article contains information about what comfrey looks like, how and why it is used in folk medicine how to properly grow it in a personal plot and who should not take plant preparations.

Comfrey photo

Thick stems of comfrey easily grow to a height of 1.2 m. They branch profusely and overgrow with large, up to 15 cm long, alternate leaves, in which the length of the petioles decreases as they move up. The whole plant is abundantly covered with light, hard hairs, giving it a characteristic roughness.

The rhizome of the larkspur goes to a depth of 50 cm, providing the plant with a safe wintering and reproduction by shoots. Outside, the rhizome is covered with almost black bark, on the cut it is white, juicy, it seems greasy to the touch. The root system of the plant enters into symbiosis with soil nitrogen-fixing bacteria, due to which it accumulates a large amount of protein. To supplement the botanical characteristic, it should be indicated that:

flowering occurs in May-July;
the color of the corollas is blue or purple;
flowers are collected in an inflorescence curl;
nuts fruits ripen by September.

In folk healing practice, comfrey is used, and in total this genus has 19 plant species that differ in height, leaf shape and structure of underground organs.

The whole plant is abundantly covered with hairs, giving it a rough texture.

Chemical composition and application

Comfrey grass is rich in plant mucus, organic acids, tannins and pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The main medicinal component of the live cost is the nitrogenous compound allantoin, the content of which in the roots reaches 0.8%. The World Health Organization has included allantoin in the list of topical astringents and topical analgesics.

Its main application is the healing of injuries with bruises, cuts, dislocations, fractures, pain in the amputation stump. The substance is also used in cosmetic creams for the care of sunburnt, weathered and excessively dry skin. Ointments with comfrey are used to treat psoriasis, acne, acne.

The use of comfrey in folk medicine as remedy more varied. Infusions and decoctions of the plant are used as an effective remedy for the treatment of mastitis, periodontal disease, boils, as well as rinses for diseases of the larynx and oral cavity, for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases.

Comfrey herb is rich in plant mucus, organic acids and tannins

Medicinal properties and harm

Useful properties of comfrey and contraindications to its use are associated with chemical composition plants. Allantoin improves the nutrition of dividing cells, promoting bone fusion by accelerating the regeneration of periosteal tissues. It also softens the keratin of the skin, stimulates the exfoliation of dead cells and their replacement with new ones. The osmotic properties of allantoin make it possible to cleanse wounds by removing bacterial waste products.

Rosmarinic acid in the composition of comfrey root has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. Due to the property of choline to improve capillary circulation, hematomas resolve faster. The saponins contained in the herb and root have an antimicrobial effect.

However, livestock preparations are used with caution due to the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in them. These substances are able to block the work of the nerve ganglia, thereby causing partial paralysis. They also have carcinogenic and mutagenic properties, as confirmed by studies on rats. The ratio of benefits and harms of the plant is such that comfrey is banned for use in the United States and many other countries. The plant is contraindicated for children, pregnant women and people with chronic hypotension.

Comfrey is banned in the US and many other countries

Distribution and cultivation

In nature, comfrey occupies a vast area, including forest and steppe zone European part of Russia and further west to the Atlantic. The plant prefers well-moistened fertile soils of damp meadows, forest edges, river floodplains. Larkspur fruit can spread by sticking to the soles of shoes, so it often grows along roadsides and in front gardens.

This is an extremely undemanding plant, the only whim of which is the inability to grow on acidic soils. At home, planting a plant is desirable through seed stratification for 2 months on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. In the northern regions for early placement plants in the garden grow seedlings starting from the end of February.

For livestock, a slightly shaded place is selected: near a fence or outbuilding, in a lowland, along a garden path. In the first year of life, the plant forms only a rosette of leaves, so it needs frequent weeding. Subsequently, it will itself crowd out the weeds. Comfrey does not need to be protected from frost, but it will have to be systematically thinned out so that it does not take up too much area.

Comfrey prefers well-drained soils

Collection, preparation, storage and recipes

For medicinal purposes, comfrey roots are used, since by winter they accumulate maximum amount allantoin. Harvesting of raw materials is carried out in late autumn or after the snow melts. The roots are dug up, rinsed, dried, cut into pieces and dried at a temperature of 40 degrees. It is allowed to store them in cloth bags, cardboard or wooden containers for no more than 3 years.

Can also be used fresh root live cost. It is rubbed on a grater, mixed with a small amount of vegetable oil and applied to bruises, bruises, sore joints and ligaments. In winter, to prepare a similar gruel, the powder of dry roots is poured warm water, after softening, squeeze out excess liquid and mix with oil.

To prepare comfrey infusions, pour a tablespoon of the root crushed on a coffee grinder with a glass of boiling water and leave it under a flannel cap for 2 hours. After filtering, they are used as compresses or drink 1 tablespoon every 2 hours for fractures.

You can also prepare a medicine from comfrey root in the form of a tincture. To do this, 2 tablespoons of the root is poured with a liter of high-quality vodka and left in a dark place for 2 weeks, shaking daily. Ready tincture is used for rubbing in diseases of the joints.

Comfrey roots are used for medicinal purposes.

Comfrey is borage or not?

Like many other plants, larkspur has received many names among the people, and among them is borage. The fact is that the leaves of the plant, crushed in the fingers, emit a distinct smell. fresh cucumber. This phenomenon is due to the presence of a small amount of similar essential oils in comfrey and cucumbers. Therefore, comfrey and borage are one and the same.

But with a plant called larkspur, comfrey has nothing to do. They even belong to unrelated families. Nevertheless, their purpose in folk medicine is similar - to treat damage to the skeleton.

Can comfrey be used for oncology?

Before passing a verdict, is it possible to use comfrey when malignant neoplasms, it is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis and determine the stage of the disease. The peculiarity of this plant for the treatment of cancer is that the alkaloids contained in it can stimulate carcinogenic processes. Therefore, it is used only externally and in strict accordance with the doctor's prescriptions.

Comfrey in oncology is used only externally.

A rough-gray comfrey with bright blue flowers, suddenly appearing on the edge of the garden, is a useful guest. It is beautiful in itself, is an excellent honey plant, in the fall its large shoots can be cut off and added to the overripe compost. And if you prepare a little dry root, there will always be a supply in the pantry folk medicine for the treatment of annoying and painful injuries.

Comfrey is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Burachnikov family. It has long been famous for its healing properties and is widely used in folk and official medicine and also in homeopathy.

There are also folk names of this plant - tallow root, fatty root, bone breaker, but its most popular unofficial name is larkspur. Comfrey is called larkspur for its ability to perfectly splice bone tissue at fractures. But this is not the only advantage of this plant.

Comfrey officinalis has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antimicrobial action improves digestion and stops bleeding. This plant is most famous and effective in the treatment various diseases joints, ligaments, bones and spine.

Comfrey can grow up to 1 meter tall. Its stems are erect, densely covered with dense hairs and have significant branching. The leaves of comfrey are large and have an elongated shape. The flowers are collected in inflorescence panicles-curls. Their color can vary from light pink to dark lilac.

The fruit of the larkspur is a nutlet, inside of which there is 1 small seed. The roots of the plant are very powerful and sprawling. The surface of the roots is black, while the inside is white and oily.

Comfrey grows almost throughout Europe, as well as in the southern regions of Siberia and the Urals. You can find this plant on other continents.

The whole comfrey has healing properties, but the most popular use of the roots. They are harvested in autumn, at the highest concentration useful substances. Before drying, the roots are thoroughly cleaned from the ground, washed and cut into pieces up to 20 cm long.

If comfrey grass is needed to prepare the medicine, then it should be harvested during the flowering period.

Healing composition of comfrey

As mentioned above, medicinal properties possesses the whole plant, due to its rich composition. Comfrey contains:

allantoin (a purine derivative that has the ability to stimulate cell regeneration and restore bone tissue);
alkaloids;
tannins;
vitamin B12;
vitamin B4;
potassium;
inulin;
triterpenes;
tannins;
protein compounds;
organic acids;
essential oils;
glycosides;
resins;
substances from the flavonoid group.

What effect does comfrey have on the body?

Due to its rich composition, comfrey has a number of positive effects in the treatment of a wide variety of diseases:

Indications for use

Even ancient physicians knew at least 100 ways to use comfrey for the treatment of various diseases. And in modern times, a list of diseases in which comfrey has positive influence, quite extensive and varied:

Application features for joints

Comfrey is considered one of the most effective means for the treatment of joints. Rumor has it that Ivan the Terrible himself got rid of joint problems with the help of this plant.

Due to its properties to regenerate damaged tissues, reduce pain and swelling, improve blood circulation, comfrey helps to get rid of joint stiffness, reduces pain and improves their mobility.

Comfrey is included in many ointments, tinctures and preparations for internal use in official medicine. There are even more preparations with comfrey in the composition among dietary supplements.

You can prepare medicines yourself by preparing raw materials on time or by purchasing comfrey at a pharmacy.

Contraindications for use

Despite such a variety of indications, there are still contraindications for use. This is:

hypersensitivity to comfrey and its constituent substances;
pregnancy;
lactation period;
reduced blood pressure;
childhood;
liver disease.

Important! It should be taken into account that comfrey poisonous plant! It contains in large quantities toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids and glucoalkaloids. These substances, when accumulated in the body, can provoke mutagenic and carcinogenic effects.

Therefore, the use of comfrey officinalis inside should be limited and performed only after consulting a doctor. Even the ointment is not recommended for more than 2 months a year.

How to prepare medicines from comfrey raw materials at home?

The popularity of comfrey among the people says a lot a variety of recipes cooking medicines based on it. Some means may be used to various diseases.

For example, having prepared an ointment, it can be used to treat joints, burns, thrombophlebitis, wounds and other diseases.

Now about each dosage form details:

Powder. It is quite easy to prepare it. To do this, dry comfrey root is ground to a powder state. This remedy heals wounds and ulcers on the skin well, stops bleeding. It is enough to sprinkle the powder on the affected area. Comfrey is also used in this form for oral administration in diseases of the joints, digestive organs and respiratory system. Livestock powder is mixed with honey in a ratio of 1:2 and taken 1 teaspoon, diluted in ½ glass of water, 3 times a day before meals.
Tincture. It is necessary to take 75 g of comfrey roots, soak them in water and pour 1 liter of vodka or 40% alcohol. Then leave in a dark cool place for 2 weeks to infuse. Every day you should shake the container with the future tincture well. When it is ready, you can begin to use it to treat various diseases. In diseases of the joints, they are rubbed daily for a course of 10 days, then they take a break for the same period and repeat the procedures.

For hernias, comfrey is used in the form of a tincture, compresses are made with it on the localization sites in courses of 10 days.

To treat inflammation sciatic nerve rub the sore spot along the nerve for 10 days, 3 times. Then make a 3-day break and repeat another course.

For fast healing fractures apply compresses moistened with this tincture, diluted in a ratio of 1: 2 with water. The exposure time is 2 hours. This procedure is carried out after removing the plaster.

Infusion of comfrey officinalis in milk. Such a somewhat unusual infusion is used for. To prepare it, you will need to soak 1 tsp. dry crushed comfrey roots in cold boiled water throughout the day. Then squeeze them and pour 1 liter of milk. Then put in the oven to languish for 4 hours. The resulting product is filtered and stored in the refrigerator. Take 1-2 teaspoons 3 times a day after meals. The course is 7 days. From the 8th day they switch to a different reception. For this 3 tablespoons milk infusion mixed with 6 tablespoons of cottage cheese and take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day.
Ointment. Comfrey is introduced into, wounds, frostbite, fractures, gout, rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis etc. There are several ways to prepare it.

For the first method, you will need 100 g of powdered comfrey roots, 20 g of crushed dry leaves of the same plant and 40 g lard. The roots and leaves are poured with melted lard and set to languish for 3 hours. Then the ointment is filtered and used for rubbing and compresses.

The second method is more laborious, however, and the effectiveness of the prepared ointment will be higher. It is used only for the treatment of joints and spine. 20 g of fresh larkspur roots are rubbed on a fine grater. Add to the resulting slurry 40 g of melted pork fat and 10 ml of dimexide, which can be purchased at any pharmacy.

This ointment is best used for compresses. It is applied to the fabric and applied to painful places, covered with polyethylene and wrapped in woolen cloth. The exposure time of the compress is 5 hours. The course consists of 10 procedures.

Infusion. For more effective treatment joints, it is desirable to take comfrey inside in the form of an infusion along with rubbing sore spots. To prepare it, place a tablespoon of crushed comfrey roots in a thermos and pour a glass of boiling water over it. Close and leave for 10 hours to infuse (it is better to cook at night). Ready infusion is drunk in small portions throughout the day.

More about outdoor products based on this medicinal plant can be read in our article.

Many begin to self-medicate with the help of plants, believing that they are not capable of harming health. However, it is not.

Even herbal preparations can be harmful to health. Therefore, it is very important before using comfrey to seek the advice of a doctor who can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment.