Common comfrey

Common comfrey – Symphytum officinale

In the Middle Ages and antiquity, the healing power of ointments and comfrey compresses for sores and bone damage was appreciated. It has long been used for injuries to wounds that have festered and have not healed. Allantoin has been considered to be the main active substance that stimulates the formation of new tissue and breaks down secretions from wounds. Good healing must have been helped by tannins and mucus. It had often been added to cosmetic products, face waters, skin creams and sunscreens before. Today we use comfrey and its preparations externally when there is no damage to the skin. The use of comfrey quickly relieves symptoms of sprains, bruises, contusions, dislocations, and muscle and joint diseases. In inflammation of the oral cavity and pharynx, we use it for rinsing. It successfully relieves pain and stimulates the formation of new tissue. In the autumn or spring, we dig up extremely brittle roots with black bark — hence the name black comfrey. It grows on wet meadows along streams, rivers, along roads, and as a field weed.