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Herbs & Cultures

Herbal home remedies: tea, honey, tincture and salve

Comfrey salve for joints and bruises

Comfrey with thyme and rosemary, for external use.

Used for

Time
3 hours
Makes
About 300 ml
Comfrey

Comfrey has been rubbed on bruises and stiff joints for centuries. Arnica and lavender are added only at the end. Do not use on broken skin.

Ingredients

  • 2 parts comfrey
  • 1 part thyme
  • 1 part rosemary
  • 15 drops arnica extract
  • 5 drops lavender oil
  • 235 ml sesame oil or other carrier oil
  • 55 g beeswax

Step by step

  1. Melt the oil and beeswax in a bain-marie (for the beauty salve also the shea butter).
  2. Stir in the herbs and let them steep over low heat for a few hours. Watch the water in the bottom pan; it evaporates quickly.
  3. After straining and just before it sets, stir in the arnica extract and lavender oil.
  4. Remove from the heat and pour through cheesecloth or muslin into a clean bowl. Press the herbs well with a spatula and wring out the cloth.
  5. Pour into a clean jar with a lid, label with the date and let it cool and set before use.
  6. Apply to the painful area as often as needed.

Registry

Herbs in this recipe

Read more about effects and safety on each herb’s page.

  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 95

    Comfrey

    Symphytum officinale

    Topical preparations have been studied for bruises, sprains and back pain and appear to reduce pain. It contains allantoin, which is thought to support tissue repair.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 98

    Thyme

    Thymus vulgaris

    Traditionally used for coughs and bronchitis; thymol from the oil inhibits bacteria and fungi in the laboratory. There are some studies of thyme-based cough syrups.

    Greco-Roman medicine+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 2

    Rosemary

    Salvia rosmarinus (syn. Rosmarinus officinalis)

    An aromatic culinary herb with carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid. A few small studies point to a slight effect of the scent on alertness; that it improves memory has not been shown. The leaf is used for digestive complaints.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 114

    Arnica

    Arnica montana

    Used externally for bruises and muscle aches. Studies give mixed results. Homeopathic arnica is so diluted that it contains no active substance.

    Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 44

    Lavender

    Lavandula angustifolia

    A fragrant plant used in bath products, perfume, and aromatherapy. Evidence for medical effects is preliminary.

    Greco-Roman medicine+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Africa · Food · № 356

    Sesame

    Sesamum indicum

    Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, softens the skin, diuretic, promotes menstruation and milk flow, laxative; leaves for respiratory complaints, diarrhoea and dysentery in children, bladder catarrh; seeds for bleeding haemorrhoids, absent or painful menstruation.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+3Folklore

Cultures and traditions

Where the herbs come from

These traditions know the herbs in this recipe.