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Comfrey Healing Salve

Comfrey (also called 'knitbone') accelerates cell regeneration and is one of the best herbs for bruises, sprains, and skin repair.

salvesWound HealingBeginner⏱ 30 mins (+ infusion time)Shelf life: 12 months

Benefits

Wound healingAnti-inflammatoryBruise healingBone support

Ingredients

  • Comfrey-infused olive oil — 120ml
  • Beeswax pellets — 15g
  • Lavender essential oil — 15 drops
  • Vitamin E oil — 5ml

Instructions

  1. Infuse dried comfrey leaves/root in olive oil for 4–6 weeks in a sunny window, or use low heat for 4 hours.
  2. Strain oil through cheesecloth, pressing firmly.
  3. Melt beeswax in a double boiler.
  4. Add infused oil to melted wax and stir to combine.
  5. Remove from heat and cool to 50°C.
  6. Add vitamin E and lavender essential oil.
  7. Pour into small tins or jars immediately before it sets.

Notes

For external use only. Comfrey contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids — do not apply to broken skin or use internally. Avoid during pregnancy.

Interactions & contraindications

Comfrey-infused olive oil

Full profile
  • Liver or kidney disease — potentially hepatotoxic at high doses; medical supervision required

Pregnancy

Avoid

Comfrey contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are hepatotoxic and have caused serious liver damage (veno-occlusive disease) — contraindicated for internal use in pregnancy, and topical use on broken skin is also avoided due to systemic absorption risk.

Breastfeeding

Avoid

Pyrrolizidine alkaloid content makes comfrey contraindicated for internal use during breastfeeding; topical use should avoid broken skin and the chest area.

Children

Avoid

Contraindicated for internal use in children due to documented liver toxicity (pyrrolizidine alkaloids); topical use should be short-term and only on intact skin.

Any oral or long-term topical use

Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids linked to liver damage — internal use is not recommended; limit topical use to short courses on unbroken skin.

Beeswax pellets

No herb-specific pregnancy/child safety research is documented for Beeswax pellets in our references — the guidance below is based on its general effect category, not research on Beeswax pellets itself. Always confirm with a midwife, doctor, or pediatrician.

Pregnancy

Insufficient Data

No specific pregnancy safety research is documented for this herb in our references. This doesn't mean it's unsafe — it means it hasn't been well studied. Treat as unstudied and avoid unless a midwife or doctor familiar with your pregnancy advises otherwise.

Breastfeeding

Insufficient Data

No specific breastfeeding safety research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a lactation consultant, midwife, or doctor before use.

Children

Insufficient Data

No specific pediatric safety/dosage research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a pediatrician or pediatric herbalist before giving to a child.

No specific drug or herb interactions are documented for Beeswax pellets in our references. This doesn’t mean none exist — always check with a pharmacist or doctor before combining any new herb with prescription medication.

Lavender essential oil

Full profile
  • CNS medications (benzodiazepines, SSRIs, MAOIs) — may potentiate sedative or serotonergic effects

Pregnancy

Likely Safe

Aromatherapy and mild tea use are widely considered safe throughout pregnancy; internal use of concentrated lavender oil/capsules is less studied and generally kept to topical/inhaled use instead.

Breastfeeding

Likely Safe

Aromatherapy and topical use are considered compatible with breastfeeding; avoid direct application near the nipple/areola before nursing.

Children

Use Caution

Diluted aromatherapy is commonly used to help children sleep. Repeated topical exposure in prepubertal boys has been raised as a possible (though not conclusively proven) factor in rare cases of hormone-related breast tissue changes — avoid regular, undiluted topical use.

Sedatives

Additive drowsiness, particularly with oral use.

Vitamin E oil

No herb-specific pregnancy/child safety research is documented for Vitamin E oil in our references — the guidance below is based on its general effect category, not research on Vitamin E oil itself. Always confirm with a midwife, doctor, or pediatrician.

Pregnancy

Insufficient Data

No specific pregnancy safety research is documented for this herb in our references. This doesn't mean it's unsafe — it means it hasn't been well studied. Treat as unstudied and avoid unless a midwife or doctor familiar with your pregnancy advises otherwise.

Breastfeeding

Insufficient Data

No specific breastfeeding safety research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a lactation consultant, midwife, or doctor before use.

Children

Insufficient Data

No specific pediatric safety/dosage research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a pediatrician or pediatric herbalist before giving to a child.

No specific drug or herb interactions are documented for Vitamin E oil in our references. This doesn’t mean none exist — always check with a pharmacist or doctor before combining any new herb with prescription medication.