Comfreyhensive Skincare: Confessions of a Comfrey Immersive

References are made throughout this article to various ointments:

• CC - Original

• AC - Arnica & Calendula

• CP - Chili Pepper

• CB - CBD

• PR - CBD Premium

Backstory

I use comfrey a lot. My wife does, too. For a variety of conditions between us, this will be an account of our mostly positive, advantageous uses of comfrey. It’s a practical guide to using comfrey, both from a medicinal approach as well as practical tips. 

I have a comfreyhensive plan on treating numerous, everyday skin conditions. It’s comfrey - and supplemented with additional healing herbs: arnica, calendula, chili pepper and CBD-dominant hemp. Except for the Carolina Reaper chili pepper, we grow these herbs on our small medicinal farm in upstate NY. These herbs thrive in the Catskills’ sun, soil and water. Comfrey’s growth response to a helpful shovelful of dried horse manure (as an annual fertilizer treatment) is impressive.

Full Disclosure

I am not a medical professional and the comments below are based on my own research, what I have gleaned from others and my own direct observations. I encourage you to consult with your doctor if you have concerns or issues prior to applying these homeopathic ointments.

Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids

You may have seen the general FDA ‘warning’ to not use comfrey more than 8-12 weeks in a year as a topical application. Over the years, this has been a common query from customers.

We never use the comfrey root in our ointments. We focus on harvesting the larger leaves. I’ve been using comfrey ointments daily for nearly five years now, each day, treating Trigger Finger symptoms, occasional rashes, sunburn, sore muscles, knee pain, cold sores, dry/cracked skin, bee stings, surgical wounds. 

At an annual checkup two years ago, my PCP ordered a kidney test [PAs develop in the kidney.]. It came back negative, ie, nothing there. Note that, practically speaking, I have been using comfrey daily, as a topical, for nearly 4-5 years to treat varying conditions.

I never ingest comfrey (as a tea or otherwise) nor do I suggest it to you, either. I adhere to the FDA warning to NOT ingest comfrey.

Usage

Our ointments consist of coconut and Greek olive oils. The coconut oil is actually fractionated, or MCT, oil. These two oils are inherently, well, oily. We add a small amount of beeswax so that the, otherwise, liquid oils will solidify. If freshly applied, the oils can stain your clothing. Generally speaking, apply at night just as you go to sleep. Or during the day, as needed. In practice, the oils ‘melt’ on contact with your skin and are absorbed quickly.

Socks, Gloves nd ‘Tubes’

For your hands, go to the hardware store and get a multi-pair package of black cotton gloves. These are inexpensive, washable and work well. Get a cotton t-shirt for chest and shoulder coverage. Had open-heart surgery lately? A cotton t-shirt will be what you need on that sternum cut. And, of course, cotton socks protect your sheets. If your knees or elbows are the object of your attention, knee and elbow ‘tubes’ will serve you well. 

To make a cotton ‘tube’ you can pull over your knee or elbow, buy an inexpensive pair of cotton socks, preferably a tall pair like a soccer sock. Cut the sock off right where the heel begins - you now have a convenient ‘tube’ you can pull over your knee or elbow.

Presenting Conditions

Trigger Finger [CC, CB, PR]

I created Catskills Comfrey ointments specifically because of my completely positive response to applying a poultice of comfrey leaves to my increasingly discomforting attacks of Trigger Finger (TF). I had tried sea salts; no good. But the morning after I had applied a comfrey poultice to both my hands, the effects were dramatic: significantly reduced attacks and less intense. That was five years ago. 

I no longer apply daily. My hands remain less affected by TF. One of my fingers  will always ‘fire’ when I pull a cork out of a wine bottle but, otherwise, I’m managing quite well without any appreciable discomfort. Early on, I was officially diagnosed with TF by an orthopedic surgeon. He told me to return when the symptoms got worse; I’ve never returned.

About a year ago, I noticed my hands stiffening. No amount of the Original seemed to help. But when I began using the CBD ointment, after about two weeks, my hands loosened back up. I no longer apply the CBD ointment as frequently, maybe 2-3 times per week.

Dupuytren’s Contracture

Comfrey seems to have no discernible benefit or impact on Dupuytren’s. Methinks the internal damage is already done - and comfrey cannot undo it.

Surgical Wounds - Open-Heart Surgery [AC]

In August 2019, I had triple-bypass open-heart surgery. There are two surgical cuts in this operation: one to open up your sternum (This is called the ‘zipper’.) and is a vertical cut to literally open up your chest and allow the surgeon to get to your heart. The 2nd cut is either along your leg or forearm to harvest an artery to replace or supplement the closed arteries feeding your heart. In my case, the single requisite artery was harvested from my left forearm.

Two weeks after the surgery, I began applying directly the Arnica & Calendula ointment over the two wounds. It was soon apparent the results were clearly beneficial. Now, eighteen months later, the scar on my forearm is barely noticeable and my sternum cut is largely mitigated and reduced.  Medical professionals have been impressed, without exception, with my results when I physically show them the two cuts.

I did develop a small keloid on the sternum below the breastplate and though it is slightly raised, it is smallish. Comfrey appears to have little impact on developed keloids.

If you are faced with an upcoming surgery and wish more detailed information re a viable protocol both before and after your surgery, please contact me directly. Your surgeon will probably NOT be receptive to applying our ointment on top of the surgical ‘skin’ they apply to hasten healing. No prob. 

I followed my surgeon’s advice and did not start a direct application until his ‘skin’ began to peel off, about two weeks later. Incidentally, if you know where your cuts are to be made, we encourage you to ‘prep’ your body and apply a daily ‘dose’ of ointment to the general area up to two weeks prior to your surgery. Methinks (I am not a medical professional.) it is extremely helpful to saturate the area with comfrey, arnica and calendula PRIOR to any actual cutting. 

Surgeons often recommend arnica to reduce post-surgical bruising - and comfrey aids in the wound’s closure.

Broken Bones & Sprains [CC]

Comfrey is often called ‘knitbone’ or ‘boneset’. These are apt names. The benefit of comfrey is, of course, its active ingredient, allantoin. Allantoin is a cell-proliferant, encouraging cell-growth. And what do you need when you are mending a broken bone (or cut rib cage)? New cells to fuse the bone back together.

An initial clarifying event occurred several years ago when my wife cracked her pelvis in several places after falling off her bicycle. It was very painful and she could not sleep (as the body’s torso pivots through the pelvic region). After three weeks of severe discomfort, we applied a comfrey poultice - and she was able to sleep peacefully and WITHOUT pain the entire night. Yes, we believe in the therapeutic benefits of comfrey.

Be mindful that the local body mass surrounding your broken bone or sprain can impact the efficacy of the allantoin. The benefit of a topical is that you can apply to the specific part of your body that needs it (whereas an oral remedy is diffused throughout your entire body); conversely, if a large amount of body mass surrounds the bone, the ointment’s concentration may be significantly reduced before it gets to where it is needed. Fingers, hands, toes, feet, arms, wrists and ankles are all good candidates for this purpose; hips not so much.

Sunburn [CC, AC]

If you get sunburned, you want this ointment on your skin. Sunburn results in lots of dead skin: comfrey can help replace the dead cells quickly and calendula offers a soothing feeling.

Cold Sores & Acne [CC, CB]

Squeeze out as much liquid or pus from your cold sore or acne as possible before applying. A little bit goes a long way. Response is pretty quick. There are good reports that CBD is helpful in treating acne.

Wasp & Bee Sting [CC]

For some reason, comfrey acts effectively on wasp stings - like within a minute of application - but not so much on bee stings. Try it anyway on any sting or bug bite you receive. It may help and it won’t hurt (anymore than you’d experience anyway).

Knee, Back and Joint Pain [CC, CB, PR, CP]

I am currently (Feb 2021) treating my left knee with comfrey, CBD and chili pepper. I occasionally get recurring bouts of knee pain - and the combination has been effective in mostly eliminating the pain for several days. Then the pain recurs - and the ointment is re-applied.

Abrasions & Small Wounds [CC]

Be very careful with open wounds. Comfrey can close a wound so fast it can trap an infection inside. Small abrasions and cuts or broken skin can be quickly cleared up with comfrey. Absolutely make sure your wound is fully clean before applying any comfrey ointment.

Dry & Cracked Skin [CC, AC]

The coronavirus has focused attention on dry/cracked skin. The Arnica & Calendula blend is ideal for this, as the comfrey hastens the re-supply of new cells and the calendula offers a soothing response while the skin closes up. Use liberally at night before going to sleep on cracked skin found on your hands, lips and feet.

Tattoo Healing [AC]

The Arnica & Calendula ointment is ideal for aiding healing after you have gotten a tattoo. Our ointment is completely ‘clean & green’; no synthetic anything. Arnica reduces bruising, calendula is soothing and comfrey hastens closure.

Feet [CC]

The Original ointment is ideal for your feet as a general treatment. Totally softens them up - and which may be primarily due to the carrier oils of fractionated/MCT coconut oil and Greek olive oil. Fully cover your toes and between them to reduce infections. 

Callus

My general observation is that comfrey has no discernible positive effect on callus other than to remove any scaling or dead skin immediately surrounding the callus itself; in effect, the treatment over a period of time will more clearly define and isolate the callus with a surrounding, healthy area of softer skin.

Rash [CC, AC]

Generally speaking, if you have a rash, use the Arnica & Calendula blend. The calendula offers an immediate, soothing response. I am currently treating a waist-band rash presenting on my lower belly and back where the elastic waistband of my insulated underwear rests against my skin. This ointment will not cure the problem but it is quick in offering relief from the itchiness that arises. Apply immediately whenever discomfort arises.

Similarly, we have received good reports on using the Original or Arnica & Calendula on rosacea, psoriasis, eczema and poison ivy. Calendula is often associated with treating diaper rash.

Keloids

Comfrey seems to offer no apparent  benefit in reducing or eliminating keloids.

Oral Rinse (dried comfrey only)

This requires dried comfrey. I regularly perform an oral rinse with a comfrey tea made from dried comfrey. It seems to minimize and repair sore areas in my mouth.

Eye Rinse (dried comfrey only)

This requires dried comfrey. Occasionally, I get minor infections, tiredness or soreness in my eyes. Rinsing them with a concentrated amount of comfrey tea (very little boiling water on a tablespoon of comfrey) can be effective in removing the infection.

I have wet macula degeneration in my left eye, necessitating a physical injection directly in my eye every two months. Occasionally, this leaves my eye bruised and sore. An eye rinse, as described above, is effective in significantly reducing the soreness overnight rather than experiencing a diminishing soreness over 3-4 days.

Neuropathy, Singles and Sciatica [CB, PR, CP]

We are currently running a small trial to determine if a combination of comfrey, arnica, Carolina Reaper chili pepper and CBD is effective in mitigating neuropathic discomfort. This includes shingles and sciatica. Neuropathy often develops in combination with diabetes and chemotherapy.

An informal survey of users presenting with these varied conditions does show a beneficial impact. What is the final formulation? We do not know yet [Feb 2021].

Kitchen and Small Burns [CC, AC]

Like sunburn, small burns can create a large quantity of dead cells which need replacement. Comfrey is especially proactive in providing the requisite new cells - and calendula creates a soothing aspect during the process.