Comfrey in Herbal Practice: Gentle Leaf, Powerful Root

Reviewed by ACHS Dean of Herbal Medicine, Judith Thompson.

Comfrey Symphytum officinale is a distinctive herb known for its broad leaves and deep-reaching roots, each offering unique qualities in topical preparations. Herbalists often work with both parts of the plant, appreciating the differences in texture, composition, and application. From lightweight infusions to richer salves, comfrey lends itself well to a variety of external formulations that help maintain healthy skin and tissue.

Comfrey Leaf: Gentle, Soothing Support

Comfrey leaf is the milder of the two plant parts, making it ideal for regular topical use.

Benefits of Comfrey Leaf

• Supports skin repair by encouraging healthy cell regeneration¹

• Soothes irritation such as minor rashes, dryness, and redness²

• Provides a cooling, moisturizing effect

• Gentle enough for frequent topical use

Comfrey Root: Deep, Restorative Power

Comfrey root is more potent and traditionally used for deeper tissue support.

Benefits of Comfrey Root

• Supports muscle and joint comfort

• Promotes tissue recovery after strains or bruising

• Rich in allantoin, which supports skin renewal³

• Traditionally used topically for bone and muscle support

Important Note: Comfrey is for external use only. It contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which are not recommended for internal use. While PA content varies from one plant to another, herbs with high amounts of PAs can cause damage to the liver. Long term use of plants with low amounts of PAs is also not recommended (Xu et al., 2019). The AHPA warns against applying directly to broken or abraded skin.

Herbal Recipes Featuring Comfrey Leaf and Root

1. Soothing Comfrey Leaf Infused Oil

Best for: Dry, irritated, or sensitive skin

Ingredients:

• • 1 cup dried comfrey leaf Symphytum officinale

  • 2 cups carrier oil (olive, jojoba, or sweet almond)

Instructions:

1. 1. Place dried comfrey leaf in a clean glass jar.

   2. Cover completely with oil.

   3. Seal and let infuse for 3 - 4 weeks in a warm place, gently shaking occasionally.

   4. Strain and store in a dark bottle.

Use: Apply directly to skin or use as a base for salves and lotions.

2. Comfrey Skin Support Compress

Best for: Minor skin irritation or surface discomfort

Ingredients:

• • 1 ounce Comfrey leaves or root Symphytum officinale

  • 1 ounce Lemon balm leaves Melissa officinalis

  • ½ ounce Chickweed leaves Stellaria media

Instructions:

1. 1. Place all the herbs together in hot water and let sit for three to five minutes. 

   2. Strain the herbs out, saving the water, and allow to cool slightly.

   3. Wash the skin area with herb waters, and then apply the warm, wet herb matter to the skin. 

   4. Cover with a muslin cloth if desired. Leave on until herbs cool completely. 

Use: Repeat up to three times daily as desired.

3. Comfrey Root Ointment

Best for: Muscles, joints, and rough or dry skin areas

Ingredients:

• • 2 ounces Comfrey root Symphytum officinale

  • 1 ounce St. John’s wort flowers Hypericum perforatum 

  • 1 ounce Plantain leaf Plantago major 

  • 1 ounce Calendula flowers Calendula officinalis 

  • 1 ounce Mullein flowers Verbascum thapsus 

  • High-quality cold-pressed olive oil (enough to cover herbs)

  • Beeswax (quantity depends on the amount of infused oil)

Instructions:

1. 1. Use freshly dried herbs if possible, and grind them finely.

   2. Cover the herbs with the olive oil in a tightly capped, glass preserving jar. Allow it to sit in a warm place for 10 to 14 days. Shake the oil mixture twice a day, ensuring that all the herbs are covered in the oil. Top it up if necessary.

   3. After steeping for two weeks, strain out the oil using muslin or cheesecloth and squeeze the herbs to ensure as much of the oil is released as possible.

   4. Place the oil in a saucepan over a water bath, or in a double boiler, and bring it to a low temperature that will melt beeswax. For every cup of oil, add 1-2 ounces of grated beeswax, depending on the consistency desired.

   5. Use the “spoon test” to gauge the consistency of the ointment. Take one teaspoon of the mixture and place it in the refrigerator for five minutes. The consistency after this time will indicate the hardness of the final product. Add more beeswax to harden the ointment or more oil to soften it.

Use: Massage into affected areas as needed.

Putting Comfrey to Work

Comfrey offers versatile options for herbal enthusiasts: the leaf lends itself to lightweight oils, compresses, and moisturizers that can be used frequently for soothing and hydrating the skin, while the root’s richer, more concentrated properties are ideal for ointments and salves aimed at supporting deeper tissues like muscles and joints. By incorporating comfrey thoughtfully and safely into your herbal preparations, you can create remedies that honor traditional practices while addressing specific skin and body needs.

Learn more ways to incorporate herbs in your daily life with HERB 101 Foundations of Herbal Studies offered by American College of Healthcare Sciences. 

References:

1. Dähnhardt, D., Dähnhardt-Pfeiffer, S., Groeber-Becker, F., Fölster-Holst, R., & Schmidt, M. (2020). Epidermal Regeneration Induced by Comfrey Extract: A Study by Light and Electron Microscopy. Skin pharmacology and physiology, 33(4), 189–197. https://doi.org/10.1159/000509121

2. Araújo, L. U., Reis, P. G., Barbosa, L. C., Saúde-Guimarães, D. A., Grabe-Guimarães, A., Mosqueira, V. C., Carneiro, C. M., & Silva-Barcellos, N. M. (2012). In vivo wound healing effects of Symphytum officinale L. leaves extract in different topical formulations. Die Pharmazie, 67(4), 355–360. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22570943/

3. Savić, V. L.j, Nikolić, V. D., Arsić, I. A., Stanojević, L. P., Najman, S. J., Stojanović, S., & Mladenović-Ranisavljević, I. I. (2015). Comparative Study of the Biological Activity of Allantoin and Aqueous Extract of the Comfrey Root. Phytotherapy research : PTR, 29(8), 1117–1122. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5356

4. Xu, J., Wang, W., Yang, X., Xiong, A., Yang, L., & Wang, Z. (2019). Pyrrolizidine alkaloids: An update on their metabolism and hepatotoxicity mechanism. Liver Research, 3(3–4), 176–184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livres.2019.11.004