Update: Comfrey Info

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

 

Well a few friends pointed out that I had not finished that writing and needed

to add a few things that I forgot to add. So I have worked on it and sending

again. Replace your files with this one. :-) I also have another file that I

wrote about salves and working on how to make a body butter if you are

interested, please let me know privately and when I am done I will send to you

privately.

 

Please note this is going to several lists and you can contact me privately at

rcsoap

 

 

Comfrey Root and Leaf

 

Comfreys help for the skin is amazing. Allantoin is the active ingredient in

Comfrey that speeds up cell regeneration, helps promote wound, rash healing and

softens the skin as well due to helping it heal. There are other phytochemicals

that are in the Root and Leaf of Comfrey that help with the skin as well, that

is why I feel that this whole plant is best used and not just the isolated

Allantoin. It is of great help to those with Eczema, Psoriases, any rash type

condition, cuts, burns, sores, broken bones or sprains. Just make sure that if

it is a wound that it is being used on, that the wound it completely clean as

any thing left in the wound will heal into the skin. Do not use on deep wounds

until they have started to scab over. It is also wonderful to help with scars

that are discolored. If you plant this plant in your yard, it might take over,

it is very invasive. Using a large pot or tub will help with this problem.

 

Comfrey Soap using just the root or a combo of the leaf and root is wonderful.

It makes a very Dark Violet to a Black soap and sensitive skin really likes that

soap. There are some variations that I have done as well adding other very

finely powdered and sifted herbs. Calendula, Chamomile, Lavender, Rose Buds,

Chickweed, Oatstraw and Marshmallow Root are just a few that can be used when

making an herbal soap. I do recommend that a large part of Comfrey be used when

making a Comfrey Soap or if making an Herbal Tea or Herbal Oil to use in

Lotions, Creams, Ointments, Balms, etc. The soap is wonderful and can be made

by using any soap formula that one would like to use. Say you are looking for a

soap that has Comfrey in it but also need extra moisturizing for the soap

because the skin is dry, then use a soap formula that is superfatted at around

8% or a bit higher. If you are looking for a soap that is good for oily skin,

then you might want a soap that is around 5% or there about in superfatting.

 

Do remember to powder the dried herbs, root, etc. and sift them before using

them in the soap formula. The reason that I stress this is that herbs, root,

grains, etc. that are left in the soap can be very scratchy to the skin and

damage the dermis of the skin, so powdering and sifting is best. Also from the

whole plant, herb, grain, etc. is best to use as well, not just isolated

chemicals.

 

I have several herbs that I powdered myself from some 2+ years back, stored in

glass jars and they are still doing very well, for soaps that is. No, I do not

use them when making herbal oils/ointments, etc. I use whole dried herbs for

that. But if you wish to freshly powder your herbs, that will insure that you

have good healing strength in the herb. No matter if the herb is stored whole

or powdered, it will not last forever and should be used up in about a year or

so. Some people will say longer, some will say shorter, so you do as you need.

The longer it is stored, the less potent it will be and by that time it can

still be used, but will have more of an effect on the color of the soap than on

the healthfulness to the skin.

 

For making a soap I use about 1 1/2 tsp. to 2 tsp. of powdered Comfrey Root and

if I have Comfrey Leaf I might use that as well, per lb. of oils in a soap

formula. So say you are making a 3 lb. oil batch of soap you can use either 4

1/2 tsp. or 2 Tbsp. for the formula and if you wish you can use more. You can

soak the powdered Root and any other herbs in a bit of the water taken from the

amount in the formula to get it to soften up and get the healing ingredients to

start coming out, then add it to the soap.

 

You can also put the powder in the oils and allow them to incorporate in the

oils and then make the soap. You can do this with both water and oil for a

strong amount of the healthful properties in the soap. This also helps soften

the hard powder so it will incorporate into the soap better. I have even made a

slurry with Comfrey Root and Marshmallow Root <---(it is high in mucilage and

the skin loves it) for soaps and it is wonderful. And if one wishes to add more

to the help for the skin, make an Olive Oil infusion of Comfrey Root and/or Leaf

and other healing herbs like Calendula, Chickweed, Lavender, Oatstraw, Oatmeal

and use the infused oil as the Olive amount in your formula. There are many

combos of herbs that can be used to enhance Comfrey in any product, those are

just a few suggestions.

 

Then there are the additions of Herbal Extracts that you can make yourself. I

like to make these as I need them when I can and sometimes make ahead and freeze

them in cubes for later use, in Distilled Water or even Aloe Juice. Your can

leave the herbs in the liquid if you like, again making sure to powder and sift

them and then simmer it gently till it is very strong. Or you can take the

herbs out of the liquid and squeeze out as much liquid as you can and then

simmer to concentrate the liquid, then freeze them in cubes. That way just a

few cubes for each formula can be used and not take away to much of the water or

water/milk that is to be used in the formula. These would have to be melted

before adding to the mixture whether it is Soap, Lotions, Creams, etc. that have

bases for water and/or Aloe Juice. And don't forget that Distilled Water or

Aloe Juice Herbal Extracts and/or OIive Oil infusions can also be used in making

your special Lip Balms, Body Butters, Lotion Bars, Lotions, Creams, etc. If you

make the infusions really strong you will only need a small amount to add to the

help they will be for the skin.

 

Remember that you can use any formula you like for any product you wish to make,

but don't add any synthetic additives that have no benefit for the skin. These

synthetic items are used to make mass marketed products because they are really

cheap and more money can be made off the products if it is made with cheap

ingredients and in many cases as well as the hype of playing on the emotions of

those that are looking for the quick fix. If the skin needs repair, it needs

Natural Oils, Vitamins, Proteins like Silk or Wheat, etc. in order to heal and

healing takes time and its not magically done over night.

 

Just some things for ya to think about when using Comfery and/or herbs in making

your wonderful products.

 

Written By

Rita Scheu

http://www.tlcsoaps.com

 

--

God Bless your life's walk

--

Rita...Homeschooling Mom in Georgia

May the ~A~ngels up ~A~bove Guide

you with Love ~A~

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