Comfrey

Comfrey (also written sometimes as comphrey) is a perennial type of herb that has a black root that resembles a turnip. Comfrey is a member of the Boraginaceae family and yields flowers that are shaped liked bells in the colors pink, white, purple and cream. Both the leaves and the roots of the comfrey plant have been used for medicinal purposes for many centuries. Comfrey was first found growing in Europe and in particular in the British Isles. It is also widespread in western Asia and today is found growing in plenty in North America.

Comfrey not only is used for medical purposes but also is an important component of organic gardening. Comfrey is made up of a substance called allantoin and it is often touted as one of the most healing of all plants. Allantoin encourages the growth of new cells and is a substance that absorbs easily into the surface of the skin. Comfrey has properties that soften the skin and applied topically it can decrease irritation, puffiness and redness of the skin. Comfrey is both moisturizing and rejuvenating to skin. Comfrey has also been shown to help reverse the signs of aging of the skin.

Comfrey is an herb that is regarded as one that must be used with utmost caution. While it can work wonders when applied topically, it is not wise to take comfrey internally as some sources say that it can be damaging to the liver. When using comfrey for health conditions always use only a small portion of it at a time and pay close attention to the area that was treated.

Besides a variety of skin ailments, comfrey has been shown to encourage the healing of wounds as well as sprains and bruises to the skin. Applied to the skin, comfrey can also help coughs, thrombophlebitis and chronic skin ulcers.