Comfrey, Symphytum officinale, is a plant that was used by the Greeks over three thousand years ago. During the Middle Ages, comfrey was a popular remedy for broken bones. In fact, it earned the nickname "knitbone" because its leaves, when applied as a poultice to reduce the swelling around fractures, did a good job of healing those fractures.

Comfrey's properties are anodyne, astringent, demulcent, emollient, expectorant, hemostatic, refrigerant, and vulnery.

As an external remedy, comfrey has many uses, and has demonstrated amazing healing properties. A poultice made from the fresh leaves, is said to be excellent for bad bruises, sprains, swellings, sprains and boils. A poultice of the fresh leaves is also said to be excellent for sore breasts, ulcers, burns and gangrene. Heating the pulp of the root makes it an effective external poultice for bronchitis, pleurisy, and for pulled tendons. And the rootstock added to one's bath water, is said to make the skin more youthful.

Comfrey's most important ingredient is the substance, allatoin. Allatoin is believed to be a cell proliferator, able to strengthen skin tissue and help heal ulcers, and is often used in ointments for skin problems. Because allatoin is present in the urine of pregnant women, in their milk, and in those parts of plants which are related to growth, it is believed that allatoin is closely related to the growth and multiplication of cells.

Comfrey is an amazing, natural healer!