Used for thousands of years as a medicinal herb, comfrey is known for its usefulness in the speeding of healing wounds. Though it has recently become controversial to use comfrey internally due to potential liver damage, its benefits when used externally remain unchallenged.

Comfrey is high in calcium and vitamin C, and contains allantoin, an anti-inflammatory substance that aids in healing at the cellular level. It has even been called “knitbone” traditionally thanks to its cellular healing properties.

It’s worth considering growing comfrey in your garden not only for its medicinal uses but also because it grows almost anywhere and can be used to make an amazing fertilizer “tea.” This concoction of steeped comfrey leaves stinks but is high in calcium, phosphorous and nitrogen, and contains three times the potassium of regular “manure teas.” Be aware though, if you are going to plant comfrey, that this hairy member of the borage family is invasive and may best be kept in a pot to stop it from spreading indiscriminately.

Home herbologists may infuse oil or make a salve or poultice with comfrey leaves or root to use as a healing home remedy.

Comfrey can be found along with chickweed in the herb-infused oil that we use as a base for our Ouch! Balm, Barkin’ Good Paw Salve and Lip Service Lip Balm.