A DIY comfrey salve is a wonderful natural remedy to keep on the shelf. Comfrey salve uses include for minor skin irritations, bruises, cuts, and burns. Learn how to make comfrey salve with a comfrey infused oil and how to use to promote healing.
Comfrey Salve Benefits and How to Make It
I keep a few salves in my medicine cabinet. I always have my Amish drawing salve recipe, a plantain salve recipe, and this DIY comfrey salve. In the winter, I'll sometimes use a calendula and lavender salve recipe to keep my feet and hands moisturized.
Salves are easy to make, even for beginners. Unlike a lotion that contains water, salves are made with oils and beeswax, so there's no water.
Since there's no water, there's no need for a preservative or even a thermometer.
Simply melt the ingredients, pour, and wait for it to set up. Then it's ready to use.
Keep track of your favorite DIY bath and body recipes with my printable Essential Oil Journal. You can keep track of your favorite oils and recipes in a binder.
Understanding Comfrey
Comfrey is a herbaceous plant that is native to Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years to treat a variety of ailments, including skin conditions, bone fractures, and digestive disorders.
Comfrey contains allantoin, a compound that is known to stimulate cell growth and repair damaged tissues. Other beneficial components of comfrey include rosmarinic acid, tannins, and mucilage.
These compounds work together to provide anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and moisturizing effects on the skin.
Comfrey Salve Benefits
Comfrey salve has several benefits for the skin, including its ability to soothe and heal minor wounds, bruises, and burns.
It can also alleviate skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, thanks to its potential anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effects. This eczema body butter recipe is also easy to make and works really well.
Comfrey salve is also an effective remedy for reducing the appearance of scars and promoting the regeneration of healthy skin cells.
The Science Behind Comfrey's Healing Properties
Scientific research has shown promising evidence supporting the healing properties of comfrey. Studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in wound healing, thanks to the presence of allantoin, which stimulates cell proliferation and tissue repair.
Comfrey has also shown anti-inflammatory effects, which can aid in reducing swelling and discomfort. Active compounds found in comfrey, such as rosmarinic acid and tannins, contribute to its overall healing effects and provide antioxidant benefits.
Comfrey Salve Uses
Beyond skincare, comfrey salve has various alternative uses. It can serve as a soothing balm for muscle aches and joint pains. Simply massage a small amount of salve onto the affected area to experience its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. This pain relief salve with arnica is also good for minor aches and pains.
Comfrey salve can also be beneficial for minor cuts, scrapes, and insect bites. Its soothing and healing effects help promote faster recovery and alleviate discomfort.
I like to use this DIY comfrey salve for my feet and for my cuticles. It also makes a great lip balm.
You can pour into a metal tin and into lip balm tubes so you can use one for your lips, one for your cuticles, and still have a tin of salve for your body.
Customizing the Salve
It's easy to customize this DIY comfrey salve recipe. You can add essential oils, combine herbs, and use your choice of carrier oils.
Best Essential Oils for DIY Comfrey Salve
Here are some good essential oils to use for your comfrey salve recipe:
- Lavender Essential Oil: Lavender oil is known for its soothing and calming properties. It can help reduce inflammation and promote skin healing, making it an excellent addition to a comfrey salve for skin irritations and minor wounds.
- Tea Tree Essential Oil: Tea tree oil has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties, making it useful for preventing infections in cuts, scrapes, and other skin injuries.
- Frankincense Essential Oil: Frankincense oil is believed to have anti-inflammatory and skin-regenerating properties. It can be beneficial for promoting the healing of wounds and reducing the appearance of scars when combined with comfrey.
- Chamomile Essential Oil: Chamomile oil is known for its anti-inflammatory and calming effects. It can be suitable for soothing irritated or inflamed skin and can complement comfrey's soothing properties.
- Helichrysum Essential Oil: Helichrysum oil has anti-inflammatory and skin-repairing properties. It can aid in reducing swelling and speeding up the healing process when added to a comfrey salve.
I get my essential oils from Simply Earth or Plant Therapy.
I also really like the Bumps and Boo Boos blend for salves. You can also create your own custom blends with these essential oil blending worksheets.
More Herbs to Use
I made this DIY comfrey salve with just dried comfrey, but you can also combine the comfrey with other herbs. Here are some good ones to try:
- Calendula (Calendula officinalis): Calendula is known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. Combining it with comfrey can create a powerful salve for various skin issues, including rashes, minor burns, and wounds.
- Plantain (Plantago major or Plantago lanceolata): Plantain is another excellent herb for skin health, with anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. It pairs well with comfrey to promote the healing of cuts, scrapes, and insect bites.
- Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): Lavender not only adds a pleasant scent but also has calming and anti-inflammatory properties. It can help soothe irritated skin when combined with comfrey.
- Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla): Chamomile has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, making it suitable for addressing skin irritations and promoting relaxation when used alongside comfrey.
- St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum): St. John's Wort has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. When combined with comfrey, it can be helpful for relieving pain associated with minor injuries and nerve-related discomfort.
- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): Yarrow has astringent and anti-inflammatory properties and can be useful in a comfrey salve for promoting wound healing and reducing bleeding.
- Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): Rosemary has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can enhance the overall therapeutic benefits of a comfrey salve for skin health.
I get my dried herbs from Mountain Rose Herbs, Starwest Botanicals, or Grassroot Herb Supply.
What Oil is Best for Comfrey Salve?
I used avocado oil to make my DIY comfrey salve. It's moisturizing for your skin and can promote healing.
However, you can use your choice of carrier oils. Each carrier oil has its own properties, and this can change the absorption, consistency, and benefits of the salve.
Here are some carrier oils that work well in a comfrey salve:
- Jojoba Oil: Jojoba oil closely resembles the skin's natural sebum and is well-absorbed. It's suitable for those with sensitive or oily skin and is often used in herbal salves for its skin-balancing qualities.
- Sweet Almond Oil: Sweet almond oil is a lightweight carrier oil that is easily absorbed by the skin. It's rich in vitamin E and can help nourish and hydrate the skin.
- Grapeseed Oil: Grapeseed oil is a lightweight oil with a silky texture. It's high in linoleic acid, making it suitable for oily or acne-prone skin. It's also a good option if you prefer a less greasy feel in your salve.
- Sunflower Oil: Sunflower oil is rich in vitamins and has anti-inflammatory properties. It's a versatile carrier oil suitable for various skin types and can enhance the therapeutic benefits of comfrey.
- Hemp Seed Oil: Hemp seed oil is high in fatty acids to moisturize the skin. It's also anti-inflammatory and high in antioxidants.
When selecting a carrier oil for your comfrey salve, consider the skin type of the individuals who will be using it and any specific properties you want to emphasize, such as moisturization, absorption, or scent.
Additionally, make sure to use high-quality carrier oils to ensure the best results in your comfrey salve. I get mine from Crafty Bubbles, HB Oils, or Mountain Rose Herbs.
You can learn more about carrier oils and their benefits and see the best carrier oils for skin to learn more.
Preparing Comfrey Infused Oil
To prepare comfrey-infused oil, you will need to steep comfrey leaves in a carrier oil for several weeks. The process involves heating the oil and comfrey in a double boiler and allowing it to infuse over a low heat for a few hours.
The infused oil can then be strained and stored in a sterilized container until ready to use.
You can learn more about how to make comfrey oil to get directions to make it using the long method or the quick method with heat.
Comfrey Salve Ingredients and Supplies
Here's what you need to learn how to make comfrey salve:
- Dried comfrey leaves and 2/3 cup avocado oil or 2/3 cup comfrey infused oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons beeswax pellets
- 2 2-ounce tins
- 7 drops essential oils
How to Make Comfrey Salve
Step #1
Fill a jar with dried comfrey leaf. Pour the avocado oil over the comfrey, making sure to cover the leaves.
Step #2
Set the jar in a cool dark location for 6 weeks. You can also infused it in a double boiler for 4 hours. Strain out the herbs and discard. Save the oil.
Step #3
Combine the comfrey oil and beeswax in a double boiler. Heat on medium low heat until the beeswax is melted. Remove from heat and add essential oils if desired. Stir well.
Step #4
Pour into tins or tubes. Let sit uncovered overnight to harden.
More Herbal Recipes
Try one of these herbal recipes:
Now you know how to make DIY plantain salve!
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DIY Comfrey Salve
materials:
- Dried comfrey leaves and 2/3 cup avocado oil or 2/3 cup comfrey infused oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons beeswax pellets
- 2 2-ounce tins
- 7 drops essential oils
tools:
- Double boiler
steps:
- Fill a jar with dried comfrey leaf. Pour the avocado oil over the comfrey, making sure to cover the leaves.
- Set the jar in a cool dark location for 6 weeks. You can also infused it in a double boiler for 4 hours. Strain out the herbs and discard. Save the oil.
- Combine the comfrey oil and beeswax in a double boiler. Heat on medium low heat until the beeswax is melted. Remove from heat and add essential oils if desired. Stir well.
- Pour into tins or tubes. Let sit uncovered overnight to harden.
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