Learn how to make comfrey salve as a healing herbal salve to aid in skin healing and repair – cuts, bruises, scrapes and even bites.
Most of us know that our skin is our largest organ. Healing salves can be such a wonderful support for skin that is struggling in times of need. Maybe scrapes, burns, bites, or even cuts – a salve can be made quite easily with beeswax. Then and only then can you aid in tissue repair and provide some healing.
Why use comfrey?
A healing salve can be made with a variety of herbs – from rose petals to calendula, nettle and even plantain. But comfrey is one of of my favorite herbs to use in salves primarily because it grows in abundance in my backyard.
Comfrey
Comfrey has been around for thousands of years – it’s a wonderful healer for bruises, joints, and skin issues. Not only does it contain allantoin (an anti-inflammatory), it helps encourage new skin and cell growth.
The anti-inflammatory properties help to speed up the skin healing properties. Using comfrey to create a salve will speed up the skin healing process no matter what time of the year.
If you don’t grow your own comfrey, you can find comfrey root on Etsy to grow yourself, or buy dried comfrey on Amazon.
How to Make Comfrey Salve
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Comfrey-infused oil:
- 1.5 C. olive oil
- 1 C. dry comfrey leaves
Comfrey salve:
- 1.25 C. comfrey infused oil
- 1/4 C. beeswax pellets
Instructions:
- Add dry comfrey to a mason jar and top with olive oil. Tightly lid, place a brown bag over the top and allow to sit in the sun for 8-12 weeks. Give it a good shake every so often
- Or, add 1 C. of dry comfrey to a mason jar and top with 1.5 C. olive oil. Place in a crock pot and add enough water to come within 2 inches of the top of the jar. Set on warm for 8 hours if not overnight.
- Instead of the crock pot you can place the jar in a small pot on the stove, and add enough water to come within a few inches of the top of the jar. Turn the stove on low for 2-3 hours taking care not to forget about your infusion.
- Strain the oil through fine mesh or cheesecloth into a glass measuring cup. Add the beeswax pellets and stir until melted.
- Pour your liquid into 2 oz tins and allow them to sit for several hours or overnight to harden up.
Cover the tins when they are completely done and keep the comfrey in a cool, dry area. These 2 oz tins are perfect to tuck in a hiking bag, purse, bathroom counter and even first aid kit.
Have you ever made comfrey salve?
How to Make Comfrey Salve
Equipment
- small saucepan
- glass measuring cup
- pint canning jar
- 2 oz tins
Ingredients
Comfrey oil infusion:
- 1 C dried comfrey
- 1.5 C olive oil
Comfrey Salve:
- 1.25 C comfrey infused oil
- 1/4 C beeswax pellets
Instructions
- Add dry comfrey to a mason jar and top with olive oil. Tightly lid, place a brown bag over the top and allow to sit in the sun for 8-12 weeks. Give it a good shake every so often
- Or, add 1 C. of dry comfrey to a mason jar and top with 1.5 C. olive oil. Place in a crock pot and add enough water to come within 2 inches of the top of the jar. Set on warm for 8 hours if not overnight.
- Instead of the crock pot you can place the jar in a small pot on the stove, and add enough water to come within a few inches of the top of the jar. Turn the stove on low for 2-3 hours taking care not to forget about your infusion.
- Strain the hot oil through a fine mesh colander or cheesecloth. Add the beeswax and stir until the mixture is completely and thoroughly melted.
- Pour that hot liquid into the jars/tins. I love using 2 oz tins, but you can also use glass jars. Allow those jars/tins to sit – do not move them!
- Wait a few hours for the salve to harden up – if you move them, even slightly, during the process, you’ll ruin the perfect tops on your salve.