Guest guest Posted April 7, 2009 Report Share Posted April 7, 2009 I am wanting to make a comfrey infused oil for sprains and broken bones. I have comfrey growing I have made other infused oils before but never with comfrey, was wondering if anyone knows more about what part of the plant is best to use and when to pick it for infusion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 I make comfrey infusions frequently. I use both the root and the leaf. The roots are stronger but I don't infuse them fresh. I dry them first. I gather them in the fall and dry them over the winter. I harvest the leaves regularly when they are still intact and not getting too old before they begin to flower. They are stronger then. I also don't infuse them fresh, but will let them dry. I also use nitrile gloves to harvest them because the leaves have those little fine hairs all over them that can be quite irritating. I wash all of my herbs and then dry them before ever using them. I have made some really nice infusions for so many things. I also powder some of my comfrey for burn paste which is incredibly healing and useful for so many things. Cindy Cindy Chandler RN. Master Herbalist Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves, for they shall surely be amused...Anon www.SmoothScentSations.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 1. Harvest comfrey leaves after the sun has dried off morning dew. Wet plant materials make moldy oils, so wait at least 36 hours after the last rain before harvesting. Comfrey leaves are always available throughout the summer months. The leaves you don't want to use for medicines make wonderful compost tea. Simply place leaves in a 5-gallon bucket and keep them covered in water. Dilute and apply to your garden. Back to your infused oil . . . 2. In a warm, dry place (such as an attic, an oven with a pilot light or even a car) partially dry the whole, fresh leaves for 12 hours or until the edges are crisp. 3. Stuff a jar full of the whole, wilted leaves, but leave a little headroom. Add olive oil until the jar is brimming. 4. Tightly seal the jar, and label it with the plant name and date harvested. Put the jar in a dish on the counter, because herbal oils always leak. 5. Tend the mixture a few times a week by poking the plant material down to release air bubbles and topping it off so the level of the oil is above the level of the leaves. You can also strain and add more wilted leaves to increase the potency. 6. After about six weeks, strain out the plant material, and the infused oil is ready to use. Roots . . . Harvest Comfrey roots in November, before ground freezes. An intern and I harvested comfrey root late last fall and made freezer poultices. I like to have these in my freezer for emergency sprains, strains, pains etc. Freezer poultices are made by pulvarizing the root (I use my vitamix). The root will be a paste and I take this and spread it on a thin cloth, then place this in a plastic sandwhich bag, label and put in the freezer. When I sprained an ankle last year, I tied this to my leg and slept with it on over night. My ankle healed very quickly. I like to make root infused oil, too. Use the bain-marie (double boiler) method for all roots - roots slightly dried and oil simmered for up to 48 hours. You can mix leave and root oil, add beeswax for a great healing balm. Fresh plant material will always impart a small amount of moisture in your infused oil, make sure that you let all water evaporate from the finished infused oil before capping and storing. After straining, it is best to let the oil sit for a day, then remove oil from the top carefully without disturbing - you can siphon for best results - water/moisture will settle to the bottom. Be Well, Marcia Elston, Samara Botane/Nature Intelligence http://www.wingedseed.com http://www.aromaconnection.org " The most commom way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any " : Alice Walker On Behalf Of aromaprue Monday, April 06, 2009 9:11 PM Comfrey Infused Oil I am wanting to make a comfrey infused oil for sprains and broken bones. I have comfrey growing I have made other infused oils before but never with comfrey, was wondering if anyone knows more about what part of the plant is best to use and when to pick it for infusion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 Thanks Cindy for your helpful hints. I feel I can confidently harvest my comfrey and use it to make a healing infusion thanks again Pru Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2009 Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 Cindy, Why are you drying everything first? I want to make some comfrey ointment and have lots of it. Ien in the Kootenays http://freegreenliving.com (blog) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2009 Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 I dry everything because I don't want the extra moisture in my preparations and there is less likelihood of mold using dried herbs. Also, because they are dried, I don't have to use as much as if they were fresh. You can use fresh herbs, but I would wilt them at least 2 days before to get rid of some of the moisture. Cindy Cindy Chandler RN. Master Herbalist Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves, for they shall surely be amused...Anon www.SmoothScentSations.com I want to make some comfrey ointment and have lots of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2009 Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 I think because water encourages bacteria. So you have to eliminate the water by completely drying the plant. Then it can be infused into the oil. If you were making a tincture, you could fresh plants because you infuse by water and alcohol and alcohol perserves the medicine. Jen On Wed, Apr 8, 2009 at 6:22 PM, Ieneke van Houten <ienvan wrote: > > > Cindy, > > Why are you drying everything first? I want to make some comfrey ointment > and > have lots of it. > > Ien in the Kootenays > http://freegreenliving.com (blog) > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2009 Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 Thanks for the expert advice! I bought some MSM flakes to play with and might make myself a comfrey-based liniment this year. I am getting achey after heavy gardening. I have never infused oils before. Tinctures, yes, but salves are a new adventure. Ien in the Kootenays http://freegreenliving.com (blog) http://backyardbusiness.info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 10, 2009 Report Share Posted April 10, 2009 Ien, If you love doing tinctures, you are going to adore salves! They are my most favorite things to play with!!!! Glad someone else is achey all over from the garden! The older I get, the more places I get aches in (and didn't even know I had those places!) : - ) Sandi BlackKat Herbs http://www.blackkatherbs.com > Thanks for the expert advice! I bought some MSM flakes to play with and might make myself a comfrey-based liniment this year. I am getting achey after heavy gardening. > > I have never infused oils before. Tinctures, yes, but salves are a new adventure. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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