Using Comfrey for a Sprain, Broken Bone, or Open Wound

Accidents happen. 

Knowing you have the tools to support ailments from incidents in your yard is incomparable. Many natural plant remedies are gentle, comfrey is not. It is powerful medicinal support. All parts of the plant can be used including the root, leaves, stems and flowers. Comfrey is a perennial plant which divides easily. You can plant it once and have this very valuable plant forever. 

Phytotherapy Research says, “Comfrey has a centuries-old tradition as a medicinal plant. Today, multiple randomized controlled trials have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of comfrey preparations for the topical treatment of pain, inflammation and swelling of muscles and joints in degenerative arthritis, acute myalgia in the back, sprains, contusions and strains after sports injuries and accidents, also in children aged 3 or 4 and over.”

They go on to say, “The therapeutic properties of comfrey are based on its antiinflammatory and analgesic effects. Comfrey also stimulates granulation and tissue regeneration, and supports callus formation (Kommission E, 1990a, 1990b). However, the key activity-determining constituents of comfrey extracts and its molecular mechanisms of action have not been completely elucidated. Allantoin and rosmarinic acid are probably of central importance to its pharmacodynamic effects.”

Allantion speeds up healing by regenerating new cells. 

Rosmarinic acid is known for great anitinflammatory effects. (Gracza et al., 1985)

It is used to support:

Abrasions

Burns

Broken bones

Contusions

Degenerative arthritis

Inflammation

Joint pain

Muscle pain

Myalgia

Pain                                           

Sprains

Strains

Wounds

Click here for comfrey to grow in your yard. It makes a wonderful ornamental plant, as well as medicinal. 

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Below there are three case studies showing the miraculous effects of comfrey and how it was used. The first is a strain in the wrist, the second and third are broken bones, the fourth is an open wound. 

*** Be advised, the third case study contains graphic x-rays that may be disturbing for some, and the fourth case study involves a nasty open would that may not be best for a queasy stomach, or for those who are eating while reading this post. 

 

Case study one – strained wrist.

A 56-year-old man fell rollerskating and landed on his left hand. The swelling and pain began in the first and second finger and extended down the hand immediately. It continued to get worse over the following two days. He was unable to use his hand and experienced great pain if it was extended. Pulling the fingers up toward the shoulders, with the arm stretched forth, showed inability of function.

Fresh comfrey leaves were harvested, placed in a zip top bag and crushed with a mallet. The leaves were applied directly on the skin over the problem area, then covered with cling wrap to contain the leaves and any dripping juices. The amount of swelling is evident on his wedding ring finger. 

Self adherent wrap was wrapped around the hand and wrist to contain the cling wrap and leaves.

The dressing was replaced twice daily for two weeks. He experienced no further pain. 

Case study two – broken bone. 

No picture of this broken toe will be posted because, frankly, feet are gross and no one needs pictures of feet lingering on their phone. 

A 43-year-old woman was trying to do her grocery shopping quickly as she needed to pick up her child. She was wearing flip flops and in her hasty walk/run kicked the grocery cart and broke her second toe. The toe was wrapped in crushed comfrey leaves, then wrapped in cling wrap, then wrapped in self adherent wrap. The dressing was changed twice a day for three days. The toe felt as good as new, no pain, so she ceased treatment. 

The next day, the pain appeared again so she continued treatment for another three days. A broken bone normally takes six weeks to heal, this case took six days. 

 

Case study three – broken bones. ***This case contains very graphic x-rays that may not be fitting for queasy stomachs. 

A 52-year-old man was t-boned by a car while driving his motorcycle. He received seven broken bones, a bruised lung, 21 stitches and profuse bruising covering much of his body. 

Many pins, screws and a plate where used to reassemble the bones. Even with this assistance, the bones did not align. 

Visible gaps between bone connections existed in several places. 

After three days of topical comfrey use, crushed leaves directly on the break sites, wrapped with cling wrap then wrapped with and ace bandage, the wound looked the same after three days as it did after three weeks form a previous, less severe, similar accident. 

This was not  his first time for a motorcycle accident and compared his recovery with the previous incidents saying, “It’s never this good so fast.”

The homeopathic remedy  for comfrey, Symphytum officinale 200c, was also used. (Affiliate links pay for this site).

He was walking ahead of schedule and recovered in full. 

Case study four – open wound. *** This is your last warning, an open wound follows. Reader discretion advised. 

This case study shows a crushing blunt force impact so great that it burst open the skin, exposing subdermal tissue, connective tissues and fatty deposits. This incident happened in an accident where a good dad was building an area for his children’s’ playground. While building a retaining wall, night fell and he found himself finishing up a few items in the dark. He was hitting a piece of rebar with a sledge hammer, holding it in place to set the piece and accidentally hit his finger sitting on the head of the rebar. 

The wound was thoroughly cleaned, an important step when applying comfrey. Since it has such powerful cell regenerative properties, if there is any debris left in the open wound, and comfrey is applied, the new tissue will grow right over the debris, which can then become infected. Comfrey is famous for healing broken bones, to the point that it’s nickname is Knitbone as it is known to knit the bone back to one piece. It’s important to note, if a bone is broken and not aligned, and comfrey is applied, it will heal in that manner. 

After proper cleaning, fresh comfrey leaves were placed in a zip top bag and pounded until the leaves were bruised then applied to the wound. Cling wrap was placed over the leaves to keep their juices contained, them wrapped in self adherent wrap. The finger was braced so that it wouldn’t bend, opening the wound. The would was changed twice a day, with fresh comfrey leaves and a new dressing. 

The comfrey leaves can stain the skin, which is not a point of concern. 

The deeper areas of the wound will be addressed by the comfrey first, the last to look more appropriate is the top skin in a deep wound like this one. 

A normal cut that would usually require stitches can be packed with comfrey for the same time the stitches would be in tact, seven to ten days. When compared, we see the comfrey wound look better than the stitches addressed wound.  

The remarkable result of comfrey is inspiring and relieving. Knowing what it can do ensures confidence in addressing wounds around the home. 

*Nourishing Plot is written by Becky Plotner, ND, traditional naturopath, CGP, D.PSc. who sees clients in Rossville, Georgia. She is a Board Certified Naturopathic Doctor, through The American Naturopathic Medical Association and works as a Certified GAPS Practitioner who sees clients in her office, Skype and phone. She has been published in Wise Traditions, spoken at two Weston A. Price Conferences, Certified GAPS Practitioner Trainings, has been on many radio shows, television shows and writes for Nourishing Plot. She serves on the GAPS Board of Directors and has recently been named “The GAPS Expert” by Dr. Natasha and will serve teaching other Certified GAPS Practitioners proper use of the GAPS protocol. Since her son was delivered from the effects of autism (Asperger’s syndrome), ADHD, bipolar disorder/manic depression, hypoglycemia and dyslexia, through food, she continued her education specializing in Leaky Gut and parasitology through Duke University, finishing with distinction. She is a Chapter Leader for The Weston A. Price Foundation. becky.nourishingplot@hotmail.com

“GAPS™ and Gut and Psychology Syndrome™ are the trademark and copyright of Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. The right of Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Patent and Designs Act 1988.