Original Comfrey Leaves Salve Recipe for Skin - 100 % Natural (2024)

by Andreea Laza

written by Andreea Laza

Want to learn how to make comfrey leaves salve following an original natural recipe from the Balkans? This is the original comfrey leaves salve recipe.

Comfrey leaves salve is still one of the most basic medicines in the rural households of the Balkans. This original and ancient recipe was passed from generation to generation as it was used with great success for all kinds of injuries, wounds, and skin problems. But before we show you how to make comfrey leaves salve following this original recipe, here is how and when to harvest comfrey leaves.

How to Harvest Comfrey Leaves for Salve

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) grows especially alongside running waters, in wet ditches and meadows, and in swampy areas. You can easily recognize it by its strongly branched stem (up to one meter high) adorned with purple-violet flowers, in bunches of 5-10. Comfrey leaves are harvested when the plant is in bloom (that is between May and September), on sunny days after 10 in the morning. This is when the comfrey plant oozes with healing principles. After harvesting, arrange the comfrey leaves in a thin layer on a table in a shaded area to dry naturally.

How to Make Comfrey Leaves Salve – Original Comfrey Leaves Salve Recipe

Ingredients

If you want to make a vegan version of the comfrey root salve, you can replace pork lard with coconut oil, beeswax with carnauba wax (or another vegan wax) and honey with maple syrup.

Preparation

Break up the dry comfrey leaves between your hands and steep them in 300 ml of boiling water for 10 minutes, then strain. Put the beeswax to melt in a glass bowl on a double boiler and when it has melted, add the olive oil and mix. Then add the pork lard and mix well. In another pot add 150 ml of the comfrey leaves infusion, the honey, and the borax, and slowly heat them up while stirring.

When it is warm, remove the pot from the fire and pour the mix over the melted oils and wax. Whisk the hot liquid well with a fork. Then quickly pour the liquid ointment into a glass jar or cream container, before it solidifies. Seal the jar and your comfrey leaves salve is ready. Keep the salve in a cool place and use it over the course of three weeks. You can find all the ingredients for the comfrey leaves salve below.

Original Comfrey Leaves Salve Recipe for Skin - 100 % Natural (2)

Original Comfrey Leaves Salve Recipe for Skin - 100 % Natural (3)

Original Comfrey Leaves Salve Recipe for Skin - 100 % Natural (4)

Starwest Botanicals Organic Comfrey Leaf Cut and Sifted, 1 Pound Bulk Bag (B003AYEHGG)

Beesworks Yellow Beeswax Pellets (1 lb) | 100% Pure, Cosmetic Grade, Triple-Filtered Beeswax for DIY...

Sky Organics USDA Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil- 100% Pure Greek Cold Pressed Unfiltered Non-GMO...

$27.17

$13.99

$21.99

Original Comfrey Leaves Salve Recipe for Skin - 100 % Natural (5)

Starwest Botanicals Organic Comfrey Leaf Cut and Sifted, 1 Pound Bulk Bag (B003AYEHGG)

$27.17

Original Comfrey Leaves Salve Recipe for Skin - 100 % Natural (6)

Beesworks Yellow Beeswax Pellets (1 lb) | 100% Pure, Cosmetic Grade, Triple-Filtered Beeswax for DIY...

$13.99

Original Comfrey Leaves Salve Recipe for Skin - 100 % Natural (7)

Sky Organics USDA Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil- 100% Pure Greek Cold Pressed Unfiltered Non-GMO...

$21.99


Original Comfrey Leaves Salve Recipe for Skin - 100 % Natural (8)

Original Comfrey Leaves Salve Recipe for Skin - 100 % Natural (9)

Original Comfrey Leaves Salve Recipe for Skin - 100 % Natural (10)

EPIC Organic Pork Fat, Keto Friendly, Whole30, 11oz Jar

Nate's Organic 100% Pure, Raw & Unfiltered Honey - USDA Certified Organic - 32oz. Squeeze Bottle

Mountain Rose Herbs - Borax Powder 1 lb

$14.49

$16.97

-

Original Comfrey Leaves Salve Recipe for Skin - 100 % Natural (11)

EPIC Organic Pork Fat, Keto Friendly, Whole30, 11oz Jar

$14.49

Original Comfrey Leaves Salve Recipe for Skin - 100 % Natural (12)

Nate's Organic 100% Pure, Raw & Unfiltered Honey - USDA Certified Organic - 32oz. Squeeze Bottle

$16.97

Original Comfrey Leaves Salve Recipe for Skin - 100 % Natural (13)

Mountain Rose Herbs - Borax Powder 1 lb

-

How to Use

The comfrey leaves salve is used with great success in treating skin ulcers and tumors, psoriasis, cuts, burns, and wounds, as well as acne, rosacea, skin eruptions, and even rheumatic pains, dislocation pain, and even mild fractures or strains.

Make Also: Comfrey Root Salve Recipe for Wounds

If you’ve enjoyed learning the original comfrey leaves salve recipe from Central and Eastern Europe, please share this article so more people can make their own natural comfrey leaves salve. Let us know your experience with comfrey leaves salve in the comment section below. Stay healthy, naturally!

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Original Comfrey Leaves Salve Recipe for Skin - 100 % Natural (15)

Andreea Laza

Andreea Lazais our chief editor, with a BA in English language and an MA in Media Communication. She is passionate about herbal medicine and she believes in the natural healing power of plants, just like her ancestors from the Danube Valley of Eastern Europe. Thus, she made it her mission to share her knowledge with the rest of the world and help humankind. ? The information on this website is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a pediatrician or your family doctor.

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Original Comfrey Leaves Salve Recipe for Skin - 100 % Natural (2024)

FAQs

How do you make salve from fresh comfrey? ›

  1. Place crushed comfrey leaves in an empty honey jar and cover with oil.
  2. Stand jar (without lid) in a pan of warm water – make sure the water reaches half way up the jar.
  3. Gently heat the water and allow to simmer for 20 mins.
  4. Strain out the comfrey and return jar (with now infused oil) to the water pan.
Sep 7, 2023

How do you use comfrey leaves on your skin? ›

Many people simply use fresh or dry comfrey leaves directly on the skin, depending on the type and severity of pain they have. Perhaps due to the high mucilage content, its leaves do not dry as fast as most herbs. But give them time, and you'll be excited about the results.

How do you make organic comfrey ointment? ›

Making comfrey ointment: this is how it works
  1. Clean and grate the comfrey roots.
  2. Make oil extract with coconut oil: simmer for 1 to 2 hours on a low heat and then sieve.
  3. Melt the beeswax and mix with the oil extract.
  4. Fill the ointment and leave to cool.
May 12, 2023

Is comfrey leaf safe for skin? ›

The dangerous substances in comfrey are also absorbed through the skin, so harmful amounts may build up in the body. Be careful if you use an ointment containing comfrey (see How to Take It section), and never use comfrey on broken skin.

How do you use fresh comfrey? ›

7 Best Uses for Comfrey
  1. Plant Up Shady Areas. ...
  2. Bulk up Compost. ...
  3. Feed the Bees. ...
  4. Use Comfrey as Mulch. ...
  5. Ferment Comfrey into Fertilizer. ...
  6. Make a Comfrey Poultice. ...
  7. Comfrey Tea for Houseplants.
Oct 22, 2020

Is comfrey safe to use topically? ›

Topical creams containing comfrey root extract have most often been applied to the skin by adults for up to 3 weeks. Don't apply comfrey products to broken skin or use large amounts on the skin, long-term. The poisonous chemicals in comfrey can be absorbed through the skin.

How do you make comfrey salve from leaves? ›

Gently remove dried comfrey leaves from their stems; crumble into mason jar. Pour carrier oil over dried comfrey leaves to the top of the jar. Cover with tight lid. Shake gently every day, strain after 3 weeks; it is good for 3 months.

Can I put comfrey on my face? ›

Comfrey is recommended for external use and is very beneficial for skincare products. However, studies have shown that comfrey is not safe to be taken for internal use as the plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are toxic to the liver. A. Vogel Comfrey Cream is safe to use externally.

Does comfrey tighten skin? ›

Comfrey's Benefits to the Skin

Researchers have found that allantoin has soothing, firming and tightening properties.

How do you process comfrey leaves? ›

For a very quick and not so offensive fertilizer, you can make up small batches of fresh comfrey fertilizer in your kitchen. Pick four or five fresh comfrey leaves and place them in a blender. Fill the blender jar with water hot enough to wilt the leaves. Thoroughly blend the mixture and let cool.

Does comfrey salve really work? ›

Researchers have found it does seem to reduce pain in some conditions, including back pain, osteoarthritis, and ankle sprains. However, comfrey can also contain toxic substances called pyrrolizidine alkaloids that cause liver damage, cancer, and death.

How do you make a comfrey poultice out of fresh leaves? ›

Using a mortar and pestle or a blender, crush the comfrey into a smooth paste. Add a small amount of water to achieve the desired consistency, ensuring that the mixture is easily applicable. Put this freshly-blended paste in a bowl. Add a handful of flour or clay to the paste and stir it in with your hands.

Does comfrey get rid of wrinkles? ›

Comfrey is full of allantoin and cell regenerative properties that help heal and replenish the skin, speed up the recovery of bruises, breaks, and sprains, and diminishes fine lines and age spots.

Who should not use comfrey? ›

Comfrey is considered likely unsafe to use during pregnancy. The chemicals contained in comfrey may cause birth defects. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are pregnant. Comfrey is considered likely unsafe to use if you are nursing a baby.

Is comfrey good for dermatitis? ›

This allantoin compound hastens skin regeneration and stimulates cell proliferation. Comfrey leaf is also known for healing bruises and scrapes quite effectively. Studies in Europe show it's effective in treating eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, and viral skin infections.

How do you prepare fresh comfrey root? ›

Fresh, peeled root or dried root, approximately 3.5 ounces (100 grams), is simmered in 1 pint (500 ml) of water for ten to fifteen minutes to prepare comfrey for topical use. Cloth or gauze is soaked in this liquid, then applied to the skin for at least 15 minutes.

How do you dry comfrey for salve? ›

Drying Comfrey Leaves In A Dehydrator

Dry the leaves at the lowest temperature setting for about 8 hours. You'll know the leaves are done drying when they are brittle and crumble easily.

References

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