Wild Plants that Heal Wounds and Fractures

Summer time and outdoor fun are synonymous, but so are cuts and scrapes.  It helps to know some wild healing plants around you.  One plant you may see while walking on trails is Symphytum officinalis (Comfrey).  You may not know it, but you might already be using comfrey in your all natural lip balm or other natural topical creams.

Comfrey is excellent for healing cuts and bruises, but they are best known for healing fractures.  To use it, simply mash it a little, add enough water so the leaves somewhat stick together,  apply near (not on an open sore) the wound, then wrap a clean cloth around the poultice.  The skin will start to absorb the medicinal properties after 20 minutes.  For best result, boil the plant with water first and add some flax seeds to make a thicker poultice.  You can apply directly on skin or use it as a foot/hand bath.  Minimal treatment time is 40 minutes daily.  Weekly hand/foot bath keeps your skin soft and smooth.  Old herbalists claim comfrey will reduce your fracture healing time by half.

Comfrey is a vigorous plant, but they won’t spread like wild fire in your back yard.  This plant in the picture is from my back yard herb garden.  Every winter, it dies down to the ground, and every spring comes back to life.  Keep one in your back yard if you have some space.  In the fall, dry some for winter use and put the rest in your compost.  Comfrey is rich in potash and makes rich natural fertilizer.