7 Amazing Health and Beauty Benefits of Comfrey Root

Nature is truly amazing and when we look around us at the abundance of plants we can find many magical botanicals that can help support our health from head-to-toe. Something as humble as the root of a pretty little shrub can contain powerful healing compounds to support everything from skin regeneration to relieving joint and muscle pain!

Today we’re going to be learning about one such underrated plant–comfrey root. At first glance it may not seem like anything special, but it has some impressive health and beauty benefits. In this post, I’m sharing everything you need to know about comfrey root including what it is, 7 amazing health benefits of this powerful root and how to use it to best support your health, naturally.

Comfrey, or Symphytum officinale, is a type of shrub found across parts of North America, Asia, and Europe. It grows to between 2 and 5 feet tall and has long slender leaves with clusters of pretty white, purple, and blue flowers. It is also well known for its black skinned roots that have a white, fleshy inside that is filled with a botanical-rich juice. Thanks to some of its healing benefits, which we’ll get to soon, comfrey is also referred to as “knitbone.”

While the leaves have often been used in traditional medicine, it’s the roots and the juice they contain that we’re going to take a closer look at today. The roots contain powerful substances called rosmarinic acid and allantoin, which are responsible for many of the health and beauty benefits of this powerful herb.

Comfrey roots contain powerful substances called rosmarinic acid and allantoin, which are responsible for many of its health & beauty benefits!

One important note I want to make about comfrey root before we get started is that it isn’t recommended to take comfrey root internally. That’s because it’s high in compounds called pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can be damaging to the liver. However, when applied topically to the skin and joints it can make an incredible addition to your beauty products or natural medicine cabinet.

While I was familiar with the skin-loving benefits of this little root because you’ll find it in our Fresh Face Cleanser and Super Natural Mask, I was pleasantly surprised by its other incredible health benefits. Let’s take a closer look!

One of the reasons I love comfrey root so much is because it has powerful anti-inflammatory benefits that support healthy skin. The allantoin and rosmarinic acid help soothe inflammation, which can be wonderful for those who struggle with inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, and even acne.

These anti-inflammatory properties have benefits for other parts of the body as well. Comfrey root has been shown to be effective at relieving inflammation and swelling of muscles and joints, especially in the case of degenerative arthritis (remember that conditions ending in “itis” are inflammatory in nature).

If you struggle with irritated, inflamed skin adding a gentle, all-natural product that contains comfrey root can help soothe the inflammation and promote a healthy complexion.

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Proper cell growth is key to a healthy complexion. The allantoin in comfrey root helps to promote healthy cell growth and can even promote the proper shedding of the outermost layer of skin cells, which is important for cell turnover and glowing skin.

Thanks to these properties, comfrey root has also been used to help treat minor wounds like abrasions and bruises.

Adding comfrey root to your skincare routine is a great way to support the growth and regeneration of your skin cells to promote a healthy complexion!

Since hydration is one of the most important components of skin that looks soft, vibrant and healthy, you want to use products that support the skin's ability to maintain moisture. That’s where comfrey root plays a powerful role! The allantoin in comfrey root extract is an amazing skin softener. When applied to the skin, it creates a protective layer over the cells that helps to lock in moisture, while still allowing the skin to breathe. This is why it’s a star ingredient in our Super Natural Mask!

Remember the rosmarinic acid I mentioned above? Well it turns out that in addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, it’s also a powerful antioxidant. Applying topical antioxidants to the skin is a great way to protect it from environmental damage from UV rays. Since we know that sun damage can prematurely age the skin, adding an extra layer of skin protection in the form of antioxidants can help you age gracefully.

Rosmarinic acid is a powerful topical antioxidant that can help protect your skin from UV damage!

While the antioxidants in comfrey root can help protect against free radical damage, the tannins found in this plant also play an important role in protecting the skin from environmental toxins. Tannins are often found just below the surface of the root and help protect it from plant pathogens.

When used topically, tannins have a natural astringent quality that can help support skin tone and texture, while protecting it from bacteria and other environmental stressors.

Historically, comfrey root has been used as a pain reliever for many inflammatory conditions such as back pain, degenerative arthritis, and for acute injuries from sports and other activities. You can find salves and lotions that contain comfrey root often combined with other anti-inflammatory botanicals that are useful to keep in your herbal medicine cabinet to help relieve any minor aches and pains.

Thanks to anti-inflammatory benefits mentioned above, comfrey root has been used in traditional medicine to help heal fractures, strains, and sprains when applied topically. This traditional use is how the plant received its other name, knitbone! Keeping a jar of comfrey root salve in your natural first aid kit is a great idea, especially if you enjoy hiking or camping.

As we’ve seen, comfrey can be incredibly healing for the skin, especially when it’s combined with other skin-loving ingredients such as organic golden jojoba or calendula flowers. It’s safe for all skin types and is beneficial for those who struggle with any kind of inflammatory skin condition like rosacea, acne, or eczema.

While comfrey root has many incredible benefits for muscle and joint health, it shouldn’t be a surprise that I’m most interested in the skin healing benefits! I love learning all about natural skincare ingredients and how to use them to promote healthy, glowing skin without having to use chemicals, preservatives, or fillers. I love this root so much that I made it the star ingredient in two of our skincare products, Fresh Face Cleanser and Super Natural Rejuvenating Mask.

The anti-inflammatory, skin-protecting benefits of comfrey root in our Fresh Face Cleanser pair perfectly with the hydrating and balancing effects of golden jojoba oil and the regenerative properties of chamomile extract for a cleanser that doesn’t leave your skin feeling tight and dry.

Using a face wash that doesn’t strip your skin’s natural oils helps to protect the skin microbiome and support a healthy skin barrier, which is crucial for skin that feels plump, and supple. While it may be tempting to use a cleanser that removes all oil, this can actually have a rebound effect in that it can cause your skin to produce even more oil–creating a vicious cycle. For a natural glow you want to balance oil production and keep your skin hydrated, while infusing it with anti-inflammatory, skin-rejuvenating compounds.

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I wash my face at the end of the day [watch my evening skincare routine here] to remove any makeup or environmental pollution, then spritz with a pH balancing and alcohol free toner. These products provide the perfect surface for my simple Hella Hydrating Serum made from organic cold-pressed rosehip oil and hyaluronic acid. Using the power of plant botanicals is a natural way to support your skin health for a glowing complexion.

I also make sure to exfoliate my skin once or twice a week to help soften and soothe my skin. Exfoliating removes the dead skin cells that otherwise clog your pores and make your skin look dull. It also stimulates circulation which brings nutrients to the skin helping your complexion. And it softens and improves the texture of your skin too! I’m not a fan of chemical or harsh exfoliants, although they work for some people. I prefer a more gentle and 100% natural approach.

That’s why I love our Super Natural Rejuvenating Face Mask! It’s infused with nature's best anti-inflammatory superhero ingredients including organic comfrey root, calendula, and nettle leaf to make your skin feel vibrant, soothed and supple after each use.

I hope this information inspires you to add comfrey root to your nourishing skincare routine and natural medicine cabinet!

Joy xo

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