The Comfrey Poultice

, March 25, 2015 in Therapeutics

Whenever there is trauma causing damage to soft or hard tissues e.g. haematomas or broken bones (especially in the limbs) a comfrey poultice is indicated. It is easy to make when there is fresh comfrey to be found. Roots or leaves can be used interchangeably though it is much easier to regenerate leaves, so, when using fresh plant material we will rely principally on leaves and stems.

The Comfrey Poultice

Supplies:
  • Cut fresh leaves close to the ground to include the whole leaf and stem. Five to ten large leaves should suffice.
  • 1 bed sheet cut into 10cm wide strips cut across the width of the cloth. Roll into individual bandages.
  • Large cook pot filled with boiling water
  • 1 Vegetable knife or food processor
  • 1 Medium-size mixing bowl
  • Tongs
  • Plastic Wrap
Method:
  1. Bring the water to a boil in the large pot.
  2. Immerse the leaves until they turn dark green in order to burst the leaf hairs which would be irritating to the skin.
  3. Using the tongs, lift the leaves out of the pot and shake off excess water.
  4. Put the leaves into the food processor and liquefy. (Alternately, finely mince the leaves with a knife.)
  5. Put pulp into the mixing bowl.
  6. Make patient comfortable.
  7. Expose the area to be treated.
  8. Thickly slather the comfrey pulp over the treatment area.
  9. Cover with plastic wrap.
  10. Using the bandage rolls, wrap the poultice securing it into place. N.B. When wrapping a limb, you always start distally and wrap towards the heart. Use enough bandage rolls to hold the poultice in place comfortably and securely. To avoid impeding circulation, test for correct tension of the bandage and you should be able to comfortably insert one finger underneath the bandage.
  11. Leave the poultice on for one hour or over night if treatment is given in the evening.
  12. After removing the poultice, discard the pulp and launder the bandages.
  13. Repeat poultice daily in conjunction with internal therapy, for duration of the healing process
Note- If you must use dried herb:
  1. Grind separately a large scoop of root and leaf.
  2. Soak the root powder (2 parts water to 1 part root powder) in cold water for at least an hour.
  3. Bring water to a boil and add enough leaf powder to make a paste.
  4. Apply hot paste mix to the treatment area and follow above procedure.