Comfrey to the Rescue!

I busted my hand. It's still swollen and bruised. I've doubled up on my magnetic copper bracelets, and I'm super stoked to put some comfrey on it!!!

Comfrey is a hardy plant! It lives in a huge range of temperatures, from the extreme cold of its native Russia to the extreme heat of Africa. It tolerates a variety of soils, and therefore is suited to almost any environment.

Comfrey is covered in rough little hairs. It grows large, dark green oval leaves with deep veinage. It produces small cream or purple bell-shaped flowers. The plants can grow 2 feet high by 3 feet across. 

Comfrey (especially the roots) is rich in a substance called allantoin that aids granulation in wound healing and new cell formation.

I'm super grateful that we have such an abundance at hand for times like these, because comfrey is anti-inflammatory and promotes new cell growth. It's also called Knitbone because it's reputed to be able to heal broken bones, torn ligaments, and pulled muscles! 
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We grow comfrey in the top the container garden we made by filling a 55 gallon barrel with dirt, cutting rectangles in the side, and stuffing the holes with plants.
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I picked 2 leaves and mashed them up in a mortar and pestle with a splash of water. The result was super runny and I figured it would soak right into my bandage, so I mixed in a spoonful of flour. I smeared the comfrey paste all over my hand, and it immediately felt cool and soothing. 
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Then I tied it up with a strip of an old sheet and left the poultice on for 6 hours. The comfrey paste was totally dry and flaked right off by that time.

Before

After

In only 6 hours, I experienced a significant reduction in swelling; my left hand is obviously less puffy. I can see my ligaments and veins again! The dull pain is alleviated, and I have increased mobility in my wrists and fingers. 

​Comfrey worked like a champ to reduce my swelling, pain, and inflammation!