Here’s a tried-and-true remedy that contains a natural plant ingredient most people probably only heard about in a survey botany course, but belongs in everyone’s medicine cabinet – comfrey. I keep one jar in our home first aid kit and one with our camping gear.
Earlier this year, I cut several of my fingers pretty badly while moving a propane grill off the bed of my truck. While one finger did end up needing stitches, I couldn’t believe how quickly these deep cuts healed over as a result of using this ointment, even though the lacerations were on the underside of my fingers, right over the part that bends.
In addition to using it to help cuts heal faster, I rub some ointment onto the surface of my skin when I roll an ankle or get a large bruise.
I usually have to say goodbye to a toenail on each foot after I run a marathon. I apply Dr. Christopher’s Complete Tissue & Bone ointment to the tender toe before going to bed that evening following the race and re-apply it daily until the new nail is formed. I am amazed by how quickly the process goes when I use this ointment compared to my first two marathons when I didn’t.
The product has a very slight grassy smell to it – you don’t have to worry about walking around smelling like an athletic trainer’s office if you use this. The ingredients include: extra virgin olive oil, wheat germ oil, white oak bark, comfrey root, mullein leaf, black walnut leaf, marshmallow root, gravel root, wormwood herb, lobelia herb, skullcap herb & beeswax.
One jar will last you a very long time. The packaging recommends that you keep it in the refrigerator for the longest shelf life possible, but many people (including me) do not. I contacted the manufacturer and asked them about this, to which they told me just to keep it out of direct sunlight and that it would be fine.
While there is considerable debate as to whether it’s safe, medical professionals say not to take comfrey internally. There are alkaloid compounds that can damage your liver if consumed in large amounts.
