MuireAnne 4 Posted August 15, 2017 So I am currently recovering from a badly sprained foot. I've been on crutches since Saturday but I am finally getting around better, albeit a little slower than usual. Anyway, I wanted to share my Mom's recipe for comfrey salve that we use for bumps, bruises, bug bites, burns, cuts, scrapes, sprains, strains, etc. It's absolutely magical stuff and I use it often. Comfrey, a lot...at least an ounce or so.Olive oil, enough to cover the comfrey Beeswax, one tablespoon per cup of oil used So you take your comfrey. Dried is best, and you put it in a slow cooker, if you have one, if not then use a pot on LOW on the stovetop. Add the oil to cover the herb and cook for about 3 hours. Mash/macerate the plant matter into the oil until it becomes dark green and aromatic of comfrey. Use a cheesecloth and a strainer to remove the solids and then you melt in the beeswax and mix thoroughly. Pour into whatever small jars you want to use. ..we use the little half-jelly jars and they work great. Let cool and there you have it. This stuff is fantastic. I hope someone can benefit! One thing. ..I try to use a spoon or something to scoop it out instead of just fingers. I worry a little about bacterial contamination because it is a low acid concoction. I've thought about adding in an essential oil like tea tree or rosemary to give an antibacterial effect but haven't tried it yet. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
witchinplainsight 45 Posted August 15, 2017 Thanks so much for that - this kind of stuff is right up my street :) I have a slow cooker and a pressure cooker so now I might experiment with both. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MuireAnne 4 Posted August 15, 2017 Cool! This really is awesome stuff...even my kids ask for it for little bug bites and scrapes. I think it'd be good with plantain added in as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
witchinplainsight 45 Posted August 15, 2017 Do you mean the plantain that is little brown ears at the top of a grassy stalk? How would you prep the plantain? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
witchinplainsight 45 Posted August 15, 2017 (On a separate note, just looked at your profile and we have A LOT in common :) ) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MuireAnne 4 Posted August 15, 2017 Okay so there's two varieties of plantain: broad-leafed and narrow-leafed but they have similar properties. I usually use the broad leafed one because it grows in greater abundance in my area. This article has a picture and an overview of medicinal benefits: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plantago_major Sorry, I'm on mobile and can't figure out how to hyperlink. Anyway, I use the leaves as a poultice when fresh or dry them and make an infused oil or salve. It's AWESOME for bee stings, burns, abrasions, etc. Like surface of the skin issues, whereas comfrey seems to work deeper into muscle, tendons, ligaments. So I thought they'd sort of complement each other in a mixture for salve. Like I said, haven't tried it yet but maybe I will next time! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MuireAnne 4 Posted August 15, 2017 Oh wow. I looked at your profile. We DO have a whole lot in common! My family actually comes from Ireland (a few generations back) and I have the freckles to prove it haha! I am happy to finally know someone else with an interest in shamanic practice . Have you by chance read my introduction post? http://www.traditionalwitch.net/forums/topic/13133-hello-everyone-first-post-and-an-about-me/ Anyway, it's lovely to meet you and I hope you have luck with the salve recipe! Message me anytime...I'm always happy to chat :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mugwort 2 Posted March 3, 2018 Comfrey is brilliant, i made some ointment a couple of years ago for a sprained ankle i had at the time, i used fresh though as that was all i had, seemed to work fine, in the summer when the snow is gone i may pick and dry some, i still have a pot it still smells ok, How long does it last do you suppose? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Neville 13 Posted March 3, 2018 Ohh wow! Been wanting to make a comfrey salve for ages! Thank you MuireAnne for the recipe☺ loads of essential oils have got antiseptic properties so it will be nice to play about with that! Most homemade stuff without conservatives have a shelf life of roughly months I believe? But must admit I use stuff much longer than that most times???? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
witchinplainsight 45 Posted March 22, 2018 As a preservative I read that rosemary oleoresin extract (ROE) is good for preventing the oils from going rancid but if the salves are well prepared and stored they should be fine for 6 months or so. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Belwenda 63 Posted March 24, 2018 (edited) I have soooo much comfrey ; thanks for the recipe Edited March 24, 2018 by Belwenda Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
