My kids are experts at getting bruises and scrapes. It doesn’t seem to matter what the season, inside or outside, they’re going to get banged up. I honestly don’t know how they manage but in true kid-like fashion their legs and arms are littered with bumps and scrapes.

Plus, this girl, no matter how hard she tries, just keeps getting older. Apparently with age and hard work comes sore muscles. I need something to soothe them. I used to be able to work and work without any aching parts. Now? Everything aches after a hard day out in the garden.

Comfrey to the rescue. It is amazing for all things skin, muscle, and even bone related. It contains high amounts of vitamin C and calcium. It is the absolute best when it comes to all of those bug bites, bumps, bruises, scrapes, sore muscles and even…

broken bones!

It’s also great on burns for when you accidentally touch the handle of your hot cast iron skillet. No judging. Sleep deprivation does things to a person.

This salve is one thing we will always keep around, and I love that it only contains three simple ingredients that I can make, grow, or forage all on my own if need be. It adds to the simplicity, and who doesn’t love simplicity?

Benefits of Comfrey

• Contains high amounts of allantoin, which promotes new skin growth
• Reduces inflammation
• Use on bug bites (especially useful on spider bites)
• Use on bumps to reduce inflammation
• Use to rub into sore muscles for a bit of relief
• Rub on burns to soothe and reduce inflammation (even sunburns)
• Use on superficial scrapes to help healing

Homemade Comfrey Ointment

Note: Comfrey is not recommended for use in pregnant women, even externally.  Always consult with a licensed herbalist before utilizing this or any other herb. 

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Dried Comfrey Leaves
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil (enough to cover leaves plus one inch)
• 1/4 Cup Beeswax Pastilles
• Mason Jar or Metal Tin to hold finished product

Directions:

1. First, you need to make an herbal infusion of the comfrey in your olive oil.
2. Once you’ve made your herb infused oil, go ahead and put your jar of it in a small saucepan that has some water in it.
3. Add your beeswax pastilles to the oil. Turn the heat on and allow the beeswax pastilles to melt into the oil, while gently stirring.
4. Remove the jar and set aside if you’re using the jar you made the mixture in, or pour the melted mixture into containers while it is still warm.
5. Allow mixture to cool off and harden a bit, you can now use it! Cover tightly with a lid and keep in a cool dark place. Make sure you label it!

That’s all there is to it, super simple! If you haven’t ever made an herbal salve, you should give this one a shot. Summertime is a great time to make this as you or your children are likely to need it on more than one occasion this summer.

Now, it’s time to go soothe some aching muscles and pretend I’m still 20.