The magical power of larkspur for joints: recipes with comfrey

Comfrey or larkspur is a plant that has powerful healing properties. Already from the name “larkspur” it is clear that the main healing abilities of the herb are aimed at treating and restoring the skeletal system. For this purpose, comfrey tincture is used - a remedy that helps with various diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

An infusion of larkspur with vodka or alcohol can quickly relieve pain and swelling, relieve local inflammation, and restore damaged tissue. The product is used not only to treat joints, ligaments, bones and muscles, it is successfully used as a powerful wound healing agent for various skin injuries.

The root of the plant is of greatest value; it contains substances that provide the healing properties of larkspur. Therefore, medicinal tinctures and ointments are made based on comfrey rhizomes.

Important! The alkaloids that make up the plant are very toxic, so larkspur tincture is used only externally. Once upon a time, comfrey was used to treat the respiratory system, cystitis, pyelonephritis, and mastopathy, but today less toxic but no less effective means are used to treat these diseases. Larkspur today is used exclusively as a wound healing agent and medicine for the musculoskeletal system.

Description

Comfrey grows in places of high humidity

Comfrey for joints or larkspur is a medicinal plant that has the following characteristics:

• the inflorescences are pink or blue, shaped like bells;
• the stem grows up to one and a half meters;
• light cucumber aroma;
• blooms from the third ten days of May to the second ten days of July;
• grows in peat soil with high humidity - banks of reservoirs, damp meadows, wet peat thickets of bushes and ditches.

The main value of the plant is its branched root. Medications used to treat joints are made from it. The root part is dug up starting from the second ten days of September, during the autumn, during the waning moon.

Comfrey has great benefits for joints due to its rich chemical composition. The root of the plant is used in the preparation of various medications that are intended to get rid of the inflammatory process, pain and other unpleasant symptoms of diseases of the joint system. The composition contains active components, due to which an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect occurs. Among these components are:

• allantoin, which stimulates tissue regeneration, cells begin active division;
• vitamins B12 and B4, with the help of which the microcirculation of blood fluid is restored, rapid regeneration and nutrition of the epidermis is ensured;
• rosmarinic acid – helps fight inflammatory processes, reduces the severity of pain;
• alkaloids – help skeletal muscles relax (in large doses, alkaloids are poisonous, so the plant is used in strictly specified dosages so as not to cause harm to the body);
• asparagine – helps strengthen the bone apparatus, ligaments and tendons; sucrose - promotes the fusion of tissues and bones if fractures occur;
• tanning components – have an anti-inflammatory and hemostatic effect, help strengthen the walls of blood vessels and capillaries.

It also contains resins, starch, mucus and a small amount of essential oils.

general information

Comfrey is a plant that does not attract much attention. Many people treat it like a weed, although it has unique healing properties. This plant can be up to 1 meter in height. It is divided into various classifications and types, but in our regions the most common plant is medicinal comfrey.

This is the official name it has, but people often call it larkspur, bone crusher, borage, or fatty root. Its leaves are quite large, hard, and have a protruding network of veins.

To understand whether you have really encountered comfrey, just pick a few leaves and rub them in your hand. They should give off a light cucumber aroma. The flowers of the plant are small and light purple in color.

In folk medicine, all parts of comfrey are used, but its root is most valued. It is black, very dense, and quite large, which is not typical for herbaceous plants. When broken, it will be whitish in color, taste sweet, and have a slightly astringent effect.

Comfrey blooms in May and ends flowering at the end of summer. You can meet it in Western Siberia, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. It especially loves to grow in gardens, among bushes. You can find it on the banks of rivers, or in meadows with a lot of moisture.

Positive qualities of larkspur

Comfrey substances activate the restoration of bone cells

Comfrey is used externally for joints. It is used to get rid of trophic ulcers, ulcers on the skin, and bruises. It is highly effective in treating the consequences of osteomyelitis, such as fistulas and purulent wounds. Alternative medicine suggests using the root for the complex treatment of fractures, soft tissue injuries, sprains and tendons.

Due to the ability of allantoin to activate the restoration of bone cells, cartilage and muscle tissue, the therapeutic effect occurs quickly, this is especially true for rib fractures, since it is impossible to apply a plaster cast.

With the help of the root part of the larkspur, you can reduce the severity of pain during joint pain, sprains, exacerbation of radiculitis, osteochondrosis, arthritis or arthrosis. Thanks to the active components, puffiness and swelling are quickly eliminated. This plant is used externally and in some cases orally (only in very small doses and under medical supervision). Fresh juice is used from the root part, which helps stop bleeding from wounds. The gruel from the ground root is applied in the form of an application or compress to painful areas of the joints or tendons. Dry powder is also prepared from pre-dried root.

Comfrey has an astringent, anti-inflammatory, enveloping, decongestant, hemostatic, and antimicrobial effect. Due to such positive qualities, damaged joints are restored in a short time, bones are strengthened, grow together faster, the severity of painful reactions is relieved, and the intensity of inflammatory reactions and swelling is reduced.

The product helps to improve the functions of the joint apparatus in the development of arthritis, arthrosis, rheumatism, osteochondrosis, hernias and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The effect has been proven in the treatment of gout, bruises, fractures, dislocations, sprains, ruptures of ligaments and tendons.

Water infusion

Now that you have the raw materials ready, you can move on to the process of making the medicine.

Prepare the product as follows:

1. Grind the comfrey root. You will need 2 tsp of this component.
2. Fill the raw material with cold water (1 l).
3. The product is infused for 8 hours. Then you need to carefully drain the liquid.
4. The remainder is poured with boiling water (1 l). The product should be infused for another 30 minutes. Carefully drain the solution again.
5. It is necessary to combine both liquids (after the first and second drain).

This remedy can be used both internally and externally.

It is recommended to drink the resulting infusion when:

• digestive problems (dysentery, intestinal catarrh, diarrhea);
• ailments of the respiratory system.

Take the medicine 50 ml orally, 30 minutes before meals. You can drink the infusion up to 6 times during the day.

The product is also used:

• as poultices, compresses for dislocations, sprains, fractures;
• in the form of a rinse solution for sore throats, inflammations in the mouth, and respiratory infections.

Where to find and how to prepare

Comfrey can be bought at the pharmacy separately or in combination with other components

Comfrey for joint pain can be purchased in various dosage forms in pharmacy chains, or you can make it yourself. The medicinal plant grows in a humid environment - on the banks of reservoirs, wet meadows, and in thickets of bushes. The root part of the plant is used, harvesting occurs during the fall.

The root is dug up, cleaned and washed well. Next, cut into pieces and dry. It is important that drying occurs in a well-ventilated place.

It is stored in a box or fabric bag. Decoctions, infusions, and ointments can be made from finished raw materials. In some situations, fresh foliage can be applied to damaged areas.

Chemical composition

The root of comfrey is most in demand in medicine. At the same time, the entire plant has healing power. Therefore, healers often use the leaves of the plant for compresses for bruises and fractures.

The underground part contains many useful components:

• slimy and rubbery substances;
• alkaloids;
• carbohydrates;
• tannins;
• organic acids.

Recipes for joints

There are many recipes for comfrey ointments and tinctures.

If comfrey is used, its use for joints should be agreed with a doctor, since independent use can be fraught with various complications for the body due to the presence of certain contraindications.

Ointment

To prepare an ointment with comfrey for joints, grind the root part of the plant in a meat grinder, or in a blender or food processor. You will need 100 grams of lard or Vaseline and 10 g of powdered substance. Combine the components and place in a water bath. Let it simmer for three hours. Next, strain in any convenient way, place in any container. Storage is carried out in the refrigerator.

Treatment of joints with the prepared ointment lasts a week, after which it is necessary to interrupt. If necessary, repeat the therapeutic effect.

Tincture

Comfrey tincture for joints is made from the root part of the larkspur. Finely chop it, add pure alcohol, shake well, place in a place inaccessible to sunlight. The tincture of comfrey for joints should stand for a week and should be shaken daily. After preparation, consume orally. In each specific case, dosages are determined individually.

Compresses and applications

If comfrey is chosen for treatment, application to the joints can be carried out through compresses or applications. For this purpose, fresh deciduous mass is used. Cut the leaves, apply the pulp to the damaged areas, wrapping it in an additional woolen scarf. This procedure is carried out at night.

Compresses are also applied from the ground root part of the medicinal plant. Pour water, mix with a tablespoon of any vegetable oil. Rub the prepared substance into the damaged areas, bandage and wrap the top. Keep it until the morning.

Decoction

To treat with a decoction, you need a tablespoon of crushed plant root and 1⁄2 liters of water. Mix both ingredients and place on low heat. After a quarter of an hour, remove and strain. Take two tablespoons three times a day before main meals. The duration of decoction therapy is at least a month.

Tincture for compresses

The medicine is prepared somewhat differently if you plan to use the root of the comfrey herb exclusively for external purposes.

Preparation of tincture:

1. Grind the root thoroughly. Take 3 tbsp. l. prepared raw materials.
2. Pour boiling water (0.5 l).
3. The solution should be infused in a thermos for 30 minutes.

This remedy is used in the form of compresses to treat:

• sprains, joint pain, dislocations, fractures;
• skin diseases;
• festering wounds.

The use of pharmaceutical products with comfrey

Comfrey preparations are very popular in pharmacies

The most popular and effective pharmaceutical products made from larkspur are:

1. Ointment "Comfrey 911". The composition also contains chondroitin, essential oils, badyaga. It has an intense anti-inflammatory, regenerating, calming and warming effect. The use of ointment with comfrey is recommended in the treatment of pathological processes of the spine and joint apparatus. The use of comfrey ointment for joints is simple - apply to the damaged area of ​​skin, rub over its entire surface. These manipulations are carried out three times a day.
2. Cream Doctor Theiss comfrey. Warms tissues and bones, due to which epithelial structures are restored and active cell division is stimulated. Comfrey cream for joints is applied before bed. The skin is lubricated and a napkin is placed on top.
3. Comfrey gel for joints. Helps restore damaged bone tissue. Rub in at night, being careful not to get it on the mucous membranes, since the composition contains ethanol. Like other forms of drug release, comfrey gel may have some contraindications; they must be taken into account before undertaking therapeutic measures.
4. Larkspur balm for joints and bones. Helps quickly eliminate inflammatory reactions and pain that accompany them.

Alcohol tincture

To prepare the product for internal use, it is advisable to use alcohol or vodka 40%. If the medicine is intended for external purposes, then you can take stronger alcohol - 70 percent.

An alcoholic tincture of comfrey roots is prepared as follows:

1. Take raw materials. It is best to take the root of a mature plant. The older the culture, the stronger its medicinal properties. Peel the fresh root. Rinse it in several waters.
2. Grind thoroughly using a grater or meat grinder.
3. Place the resulting pulp (100 g) in a glass jar.
4. Fill the raw material with vodka (0.5 l). If you use alcohol, initially dilute it to 40%.
5. Shake the product and stir it well. Place the solution in a dark place. It should not be stored in the refrigerator.
6. The medicine should infuse for 2 weeks. By this time the root will have completely settled. The liquid will turn brown, reminiscent of tea. It feels a little slippery to the touch. The medicine is ready. It is necessary to carefully drain the liquid without stirring the solution.
7. Fill the thicket again with vodka (0.5 l). And put it in a dark place. After 14 days you will have a new dose of medicine. Raw materials can be used 3 times.

The tincture is taken for a variety of ailments:

• gastrointestinal diseases;
• tuberculosis;
• ailments of the respiratory system;
• oncology of the lungs, prostate, mammary glands;
• metastasis to bone tissue.

It can be used externally to treat ailments of the musculoskeletal system. The tincture will ease the suffering of the patient with dental diseases and pathologies of the oral cavity. In addition, it is often used to gargle.

Use the tincture as follows:

• 10 drops of medicine are diluted in 1 tbsp. l. water;
• Take 2 times a day 1 hour before meals.

It is strictly forbidden to increase the concentration of the drug. It should be remembered that comfrey is poisonous.

Possible contraindications

Comfrey is contraindicated for pregnant women and children

It is not allowed to use a medicinal plant in the presence of such diseases and temporary situations:

• period of pregnancy and lactation;
• increased susceptibility to the constituent components of the plant;
• sudden jumps in blood pressure;
• the presence of extensive bleeding wounds;
• children's age up to 12 years.

Negative reactions may also appear after use in the form of allergic manifestations on the skin.

Before using larkspur-based products, you should definitely obtain permission from the treating doctor; he will select the most effective treatment regimen.

Features of the workpiece

Initially, you should properly prepare the comfrey (root). It is better to postpone treatment until autumn. Since it is recommended to dig up the roots in early November. But if therapy cannot wait, then root harvesting occurs in spring and even summer.

The excavated part of the crop must be washed under running cold water. Then it should be dried. To do this, the root must be cut into small pieces and strung on a thread. The plant should be dried in a well-ventilated area. The root is dried at a temperature of 30-400C. To do this, resort to using a dryer.

Prices

The price of comfrey ointment varies depending on the manufacturer, the ingredients and the region of sale. Let's consider the cost of the drug in Russia and Ukraine.

Price in Russia

Approximate price for various types of comfrey ointment in Russia:

• 911 Comfrey balm for the body, 100 ml (manufacturer Twins Tech, Russia) – 75 rubles;
• 911 Comfrey balm for the body, 150 ml (manufacturer Twins Tech, Russia) – 110 rubles;
• Restoring body cream-balm “Comfrey officinalis”, 75 ml (manufacturer Vitatek) – 120 rubles;
• Larkspur (comfrey) warming body balm, 75 ml (manufacturer: Bionor LLC) – 170 rubles;
• Larkspur (comfrey) body balm gel with bee venom, 50 ml – 120 rubles;
• Cosmetic ointment Comfrey and resin, 50 ml (Manufacturer TsTSK) – 450 rubles.

Price in Ukraine

Approximate price for various types of comfrey ointment in Ukraine:

• Comfrey ointment Dr. Theiss 50g (manufacturer Naturvaren, Germany) – 110 hryvnia;
• Comfrey ointment in a tube, 40 g (manufacturer Zhytomyr FF, Ukraine) – 70 hryvnia;
• Larkspur ointment jar, 50 g (FF LLC “DKP”, Ukraine) – 68 hryvnia;
• Larkspur ointment in tube, 40 g (FF LLC “DKP”, Ukraine) – 50 hryvnia.

Preparation of ointment

The healing properties of comfrey are appreciated by official medicine. This is confirmed by the famous “Doctor Theiss Ointment”. This development of German pharmacologists forced them to pay more attention to the medicinal properties of larkspur.

You can make an equally healing ointment yourself:

1. Comfrey roots must be ground into powder.
2. Prepare the ingredients. You will need root powder and pork lard in a 1:1 ratio. Just don't mix them.
3. Lard must first be melted.
4. Then stir the larkspur powder into the fat.
5. Boil the product for 10 minutes.
6. Allow the ointment to cool.
7. To ensure the required consistency, add camphor oil to the product.

The ointment is used for rubbing into sore joints. It effectively relieves inflammation and eliminates swelling. People resort to its help for severe joint pain.