Comfrey, a multi-purpose garden herb.
Category:
Herbs for Health | Posted:
Wed Oct 31, 2007 8:38 am
COMFREY : a multi purpose garden herb.
Comfrey, the
Latin name of which is
Symphytum officinale, grows mostly in North America and Europe, but thanks to globalization it is available in its medicinal form almost all over the world ( I use it in India! ).
It is a shrub that can be very
easily cultivated in the garden.
Comfrey root has been used as an
external remedy for centuries to
heal fractured bones.
It also helps to
heal wounds and abscesses in the skin.
A poultice made from roots boiled in water or freshly pounded tender leaves is every effective in these conditions.
Both these properties are due to the high content of
allantoin, a mucilagenous substance which encourages rapid growth of epithelial and certain other tissues. Allantoin is found in the roots and leaves of the Comfrey plant.
Though famed for its use in treating fractures and wounds, Comfrey can be used as a
mouth wash and
throat gargle too.
Internally, Comfrey is used along with other herbs
to reduce bleeding from any part of the body - as in
Gastric ulcer, bleeding from the Urinary tract, excessive mestrual flow, bloody diarrhea or dysentery.
When fresh Comfrey is not available, you can use it in the form of
ointments and pills, available in herbal pharmacies all over.
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