Bruise Treatment: Reduce Bruising and Swelling with Comfrey

Comfrey - A Traditional Healer

Comfrey is a fast growing perennial plant native to Asia and Europe. The leaves and roots of the comfrey plant have been used for centuries for treating inflammation resulting from bruises, swelling, sprains, and broken bones. In fact, it’s traditional name means “knitbone” - a testament to it’s healing properties.

Comfrey contains allantoin, which aids in the formation of new skin cells, as well as additional effective ingredients that help with treating inflammation and skin regeneration. Comfrey can be used to help relieve arthritis pain.

Using Comfrey for Bruise Treatment

Comfrey may be applied to the skin in the form of a salve (cream) or poultice bruise treatment and swelling. Prepared comfrey creams are available online or where natural remedies are sold. Burt’s Bees Res-Q Ointment and Gaia Herbs Comfrey Compound Salve are two products containing comfrey root extract as an effective ingredient.

You can also treat bruises and swelling by making a comfrey poultice appling it to the skin. To make a poultice from fresh comfrey leaves coarsely chop the leaves and puree in a blender, adding water to aid in processing. If you are using dried leaves, let the leaves soak in hot water to cover for several minutes. Wrap the comfrey leaf poultice in a cotton cloth or gauze bandage and apply to the skin. Leave the poultice on the skin for as long as necessary.

Is Comfrey Hazardous?

Although comfrey has been taken internally in the forms of teas and tinctures throughout time, it’s internal use is no longer recommended. Internal preparations of comfrey have been banned in some Western countries. Comfrey contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), poisonous compounds that can harm the liver.

The amount of harmful PAs present in the comfrey plant varies widely. Comfrey roots have been shown to contain at least 10 times the amount of PAs as found in the leaves. Furthermore, large mature leaves contained a minuscule amount of PAs when tested, but small immature leaves contained a higher concentration. PAs are thought to accumulate in the body over time, and excessive doses of comfrey (particularly taken internally) may cause liver toxicity.

If you choose to use comfrey for bruise treatment and swelling, be sure to use a topical cream or poultice made from mature comfrey (Symphytum officinale) leaves. Comfrey is not recommended for use for pregnant or lactating women, children, the elderly, or those with liver conditions. Do not use comfrey on broken skin.

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