Comfrey oil has become increasingly popular in recent years as an alternative topical treatment for various skin conditions. Derived from the comfrey plant, also known by its botanical name Symphytum officinale, comfrey oil contains allantoin and rosmarinic acid which provide anti-inflammatory, soothing, and cell-proliferating properties.
In this blog, we will explore everything you need to know about using comfrey oil for your skin. We’ll discuss how to properly and safely make comfrey oil at home, the scientifically-backed benefits it can provide for skin health, and potential side effects to be aware of.
Whether you struggle with minor cuts and scrapes or more irritated skin conditions like eczema, comfrey oil deserves a spot in your natural medicine cabinet. Let’s get started!
How to Make Comfrey Oil at Home?
Knowing how to use comfrey oil properly is key to harnessing its skin benefits. Comfrey oil is surprisingly easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients. All you need is dried comfrey leaves, a carrier oil like olive or coconut oil, and a glass jar.
Start by filling up the glass jar with the dried comfrey leaves until it reaches about 3/4 full. Pour the carrier oil of your choice over the leaves until they are completely submerged. Put the lid on tightly.
Place the jar in a cool, dark spot for 4-6 weeks, shaking the jar daily to encourage the herbs to infuse into the oil. After the allotted infusion time has passed, strain the oil through a cheesecloth to remove all plant material. Make sure to squeeze the cheesecloth to get all remaining oil out.
Voila! You now have a bottle of fresh, herbaceous comfrey oil perfect for topical skin care remedies. Store your finished comfrey oil in a sealed container away from direct sunlight. It will stay potent for 6 months up to 2 years.
If the fragrance is too strong, you can add a few drops of vitamin E oil and essential oils like lavender or tea tree to mellow it out. Always do a patch test before applying comfrey oil directly onto the skin to check for potential allergic reactions. Use your homemade healing comfrey oil for minor cuts, burns, rashes, abrasions, and more! Just a small amount is needed for each application.
Comfrey oil benefits
When applied topically, comfrey oil has been shown to provide several beneficial effects for skin health:
1. Helps heal wounds
2. Soothes skin irritations
3. Moisturizes skin
4. Fades scars
These promising skincare benefits largely stem from comfrey oil’s main active ingredients – allantoin and rosmarinic acid. Let’s explore the science behind how comfrey oil can improve skin health.
Allantoin for Skin Cell Regeneration
Allantoin is a compound that helps stimulate new skin cell growth and regeneration. When applied topically on wounds or irritated skin, allantoin facilitates the healing process by accelerating cell proliferation.
It also helps remove dead skin cells, enabling fresh new layers to come to the surface faster. Numerous studies have found allantoin effective for enhancing wound closure and skin repair following injuries and procedures.
Rosmarinic Acid as an Anti-Inflammatory
In addition to allantoin, comfrey oil contains rosmarinic acid which has natural anti-inflammatory abilities. Research shows rosmarinic acid can calm inflammatory skin conditions by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
One study found that compared to over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream, comfrey cream with rosmarinic acid content provided equal anti-inflammatory effects for treating eczema. The researchers concluded that rosmarinic acid can be considered an alternative treatment strategy for certain inflammatory skin disorders.
Using Comfrey Oil to Treat Specific Skin Conditions
With its skin-healing properties, comfrey oil can be an effective remedy for all sorts of skin irritations and wounds. Here are some of the most common uses of comfrey oil:
- Minor Cuts and Scrapes
Due to its rapid cell proliferating abilities, comfrey oil is the ideal natural treatment for minor cuts, wounds, and scrapes. Simply cleanse the area, apply a thin layer of comfrey oil, and cover with a bandage. Reapply 2-3 times per day. The allantoin in comfrey oil helps regenerate healthy skin cells while keeping the area moisturized as it heals.
- Eczema and Psoriasis
For those struggling with irritated, inflamed skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, comfrey oil’s anti-inflammatory and soothing properties can provide much-needed relief. Gently massage comfrey oil onto affected areas 1-2 times per day. The rosmarinic acid works to calm inflammation while the allantoin repairs damaged skin cells.
- Acne
Surprisingly, comfrey oil can also benefit acne-prone skin with its ability to regulate skin cell turnover. Apply a small amount of comfrey oil onto blemishes and it can help prevent pores from clogging up. Be sure to use it sparingly to avoid greasiness.
- Scars
Got an old scar you want to fade away? Try massaging comfrey oil over raised or discolored scars 2 times per day. The allantoin may help smooth and lighten scar tissue so they become less visible over time.
- Stretch Marks
For diminishing unsightly stretch marks, pregnant women can apply comfrey oil regularly before and after giving birth. With routine use, many have found comfrey oil able to make stretch marks look and feel smoother.
- Chapped Lips
Finally, don’t forget your lips! Apply comfrey oil onto chapped, flaky lips to instantly moisturize while healing any cracked skin. It’s safe to ingest so you don’t have to worry about licking your lips later.
Additionally, There is some evidence showing the potential benefits of using Comfrey oil for teeth when used as an ingredient in certain natural toothpaste and mouthwashes. More research is still needed.
Side Effects and Precautions
When used occasionally on unbroken skin, comfrey oil is generally safe for adults. However, there are some important side effects and precautions to consider before regularly using comfrey oil:
– Can cause contact dermatitis for those with sensitive skin
– Avoid use on deep wounds
– Not safe for children when ingested
– May be unsafe during pregnancy
If you have any pre-existing conditions or reactions to comfrey oil, discontinue use immediately and talk to your doctor. To stay on the safe side, drinking comfrey tea or taking comfrey oil by mouth is not recommended as it may cause liver damage in excess.
Also Read: Does Shea Butter Clog Pores On Your Skin? How To Use?
Conclusion
As we’ve discovered, comfrey oil holds exciting potential as a multi-purpose, natural therapeutic for various skin irritations and wounds when applied topically. With the ability to accelerate skin cell regeneration, calm inflammation, stimulate collagen production, and fade scarring, comfrey oil can aid in healing skin damage stemming from cuts, rashes, acne, eczema, and more.
However, comfrey oil may not be suitable for everyone. Those with highly sensitive skin must test comfrey oil first to watch for any adverse reactions indicating contact dermatitis. While more research is still needed, the promising dermatological benefits of comfrey oil certainly warrant its consideration as a supplemental treatment alongside your current skincare routine.
So are you ready to give comfrey oil a try to rejuvenate your skin naturally? With its unique skin therapeutic properties, comfrey oil deserves a spot on your bathroom shelf this season. Just be mindful of precautions and remember – a little comfrey oil goes a long way when used properly. Have you used comfrey oil on your skin before? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below!
