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aussieannie Forum All-Star
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Posted: June 04 2009 at 4:16pm | IP Logged
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which I have just blogged about here.
Comfrey is an incredible plant IMO!
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wifemommy Forum All-Star
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Posted: June 04 2009 at 4:44pm | IP Logged
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Anne We have soooo much comfrey on our farm. It never dies just spreads I will definately be trying the poultice .... Annie
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aussieannie Forum All-Star
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Posted: June 04 2009 at 4:46pm | IP Logged
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Yes, once it takes hold, it is hard to get rid of. It's those deep, deep roots that make this herb so special, that also make it hardy!
Wow, I'd love to have that much comfrey!!
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Stephanie_Q Forum Pro
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Posted: June 04 2009 at 5:59pm | IP Logged
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Interesting. I was just reading about using comfrey in the garden.
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aussieannie Forum All-Star
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Posted: June 05 2009 at 11:24pm | IP Logged
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Yes, great to use in building up the nutrients in the garden itself, great for composting.
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mayappleridge Forum Rookie
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Posted: June 08 2009 at 4:32am | IP Logged
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Also good for post birth bathing. Helps heal those little tears and stretching after the birth.
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Betsy Forum All-Star
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Posted: June 08 2009 at 6:51am | IP Logged
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Alright, I need a miracle here....so I purchased three comfrey plants this weekend at the farmers market. How long before I can use their leaves?
Thanks!
Betsy
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aussieannie Forum All-Star
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Posted: June 08 2009 at 7:00am | IP Logged
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Is there not many leaves on the plants Betsy? There is no reason why you can't pick all the leaves, if you think there is enough.
I've made a comfrey oil as well BTW. I dug up a comfrey plant and used the roots and leaves, cleaned them, cut them up finely and then put them in a dark, sterile bottle. I filled it with a good, cold pressed oil (can't remember which now, either sunflower or extra virgin olive oil) I then sat the bottle out in the sunlight outside for a couple of weeks (minimum of 2 and longer if you wish) Every day I walked past it, I gave it a good shake.
I then strained it when the time came and I've been using that for different things. My daughter badly hit her shin 2 days ago, a nasty, black blood blister developed and late that night in bed the shin area was badly swollen. My husband went in while she was sleeping and massaged the oil into the shin, the next morning the swelling was completely gone. Great stuff!
I made that bottle from fresh comfrey plant but I now have dried comfrey roots and leaves and will make it from that next time time.
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aussieannie Forum All-Star
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Posted: June 08 2009 at 7:02am | IP Logged
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I imagine floating around in comfrey after birth would be MOST helpful, especially for grazes/cuts etc.
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Betsy Forum All-Star
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Posted: June 08 2009 at 7:08am | IP Logged
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aussieannie wrote:
Is there not many leaves on the plants Betsy? There is no reason why you can't pick all the leaves, if you think there is enough.
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Thanks, this helps. They are small plants. Maybe 10 leaves. I have them planted in the ground now...so I might be able to pick half from all of them and get enough.
Annie (sorry for all the questions), for the oil do you need to use the roots too? I am so encourage by your testimonials!
Betsy
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aussieannie Forum All-Star
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Posted: June 08 2009 at 7:13am | IP Logged
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I'd definately pick half if not more there Betsy, they'll grow back and probably quickly.
You don't have to use roots but I believe it makes it more potent, but leaves are also powerful, so if you didn't have roots, I'd go ahead with just leaves, absolutely.
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aussieannie Forum All-Star
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Posted: June 08 2009 at 7:20am | IP Logged
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Betsy, I found this on Isabell Shipard's site:
Quote:
Leaves or roots applied as a wash, poultice or ointment are used for bruising, sciatica, boils, rheumatism, neuralgia, varicose veins, bed sores, wounds, ulcers, insect bites, tumours, muscular pain, pulled tendons, gangrene, shingles and dermatological conditions. A local grandmother told me she makes comfrey ointment. So renown is it for healing, that her grandchildren call it Grandma’s magic cream. Adding comfrey to the bath water is said to promote a youthful skin. Comfrey acts as an emollient and is very soothing, inhibiting further damage to tissues, stimulating the production of cartilage, tendons and muscles. It has been esteemed as a blood, bone and flesh builder. |
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And this as to what makes comfrey so unique and powerful:
Quote:
The dark green colour of the leaves indicates the richness of chlorophyll with a molecular structure closely resembling our blood. Chlorophyll acts as a catalyst, to promote healing within the body of man and animals, and is a valuable blood purifier. Scientific research shows that chlorophyll helps to rejuvenate old cells and promote the growth of new cells. This action, together with comfrey’s allantoin properties (a cell proliferant) provides us with a very powerful herb. Allantoin is one of the elements that makes comfrey unique. Allantoin is also produced in the allantois gland of the umbilical cord (the link between mother and developing baby, which feeds the embryo) for promoting rapid cell growth. Mothers’ milk is also rich in allantoin (which stimulates rapid growth of the new baby) and then the element fades out. This process also takes place in other mammals. Allantoin is a leucocytosis promoter (increases white blood cells) that helps to establish immunity from many infectious conditions. |
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This is the recipe that Isabell has for making Comfrey Cream:
Quote:
Comfrey Cream
To make an ointment to use externally, take 1 cup of finely cut comfrey root and simmer in 1 cup of olive oil until it starts to soften. Cool and strain. Add 50g of beeswax (usually available from supermarkets). Jasmine or orange blossoms may be added to the simmering mixture, to give the cream a pleasant smell. The cream is used to relieve pain and aid healing of cuts, bites, sprains, arthritis, dry vaginal conditions, inflammation and neuralgia. |
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I have yet to make a cream, I'd like to, but I find the oil so easy to make personally.
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D. Marie Forum Rookie
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Posted: June 08 2009 at 10:33am | IP Logged
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We use a salve made with comfrey for first aid purposes that has been amazing. My question is for those of you who have used it after birthing, what do you think the effects of comfrey would be for a c-section incision? I think I have read applying comfrey too soon would allow for the outer layers of skin to heal before the inner layers. Plus there is the pain factor of applying it. I've also read that I could drink comfrey tea to help with inner healing. But I'm afraid. I've used herbs for the last 8 years and feel very comfortable with them, but suddenly find myself uncertain in using after child birth and if there are any effects through the breastmilk. Anyone have any answers? Should I try it externally? Internally? Risks?
I am so happy to see this post on naturally healing! Thanks Aussie Annie for sharing!
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aussieannie Forum All-Star
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Posted: June 08 2009 at 3:43pm | IP Logged
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I'd be careful on an incision in the first few weeks because comfrey heals things SO QUICKLY that if there is any infection lurking below (I'm talking deep cuts here, which includes c-section incisions) that the skin could be sealed over before it is resolved. I'd be bathing it in something like Ladies Mantle first and then when it is already naturally sealed over, apply the comfrey to strengthen the area and layers below. (Ladies Mantle is mentioned here that it is an ingredient in a postpartum tea.)
I've drunk comfrey, I've ate comfrey while breastfeeding, probably not straight after a birth from memory. Drinking comfrey is a decision that someone should make with an informed read, just so as to know what the controversy is all about. We've read it and decided it is wonderful to take internally, but someone else could read it and not feel the same way.
I definately don't go off drinking herbs altogether after birth, in fact I am always under the care of my herbalist at that point and taking a powerful mixture of 5 or 6 herbs. Because she specializes in treating pregnant women, I never worry about whether it is safe or not, I know she wouldn't have me on them otherwise. As to treating yourself you can never go wrong with nettle after birth, ladies mantle would be another then of course there are some herbs that help settle baby, chamomile, dill etc.
Here's a great article on the herbs for postpartum.
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D. Marie Forum Rookie
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Posted: June 08 2009 at 4:00pm | IP Logged
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This is wonderful information. Thank you so much!
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Betsy Forum All-Star
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Posted: Aug 26 2011 at 2:26pm | IP Logged
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Better late than never!
After planting my comfrey two years ago, I finally just made my first batch of Comfry Oil! YEA!!!!!
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aussieannie Forum All-Star
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Posted: Aug 26 2011 at 3:34pm | IP Logged
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Fantastic Betsy, did you use root or leaf for your oil?
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juststartn Forum All-Star
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Posted: Aug 26 2011 at 3:49pm | IP Logged
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Also, it is good for animals to eat.
Rachel
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Betsy Forum All-Star
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Posted: Aug 26 2011 at 4:51pm | IP Logged
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Yes, Annie, I used roots and leaves. In the two years it has grown and grown, and totally taken over my herb area so I needed to pull some out anyway.
I am very excited that I finally made this. I still have a medical condition that needs to regrow some cartilage....so I hope this helps. However, even if that doesn't work I have plenty of boys that play sports!
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aussieannie Forum All-Star
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Posted: Aug 26 2011 at 5:06pm | IP Logged
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Lovely Betsy!
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