I have a recipe for Comfrey ointment as it happens. Going to make some as soon as I have a bit more out- oh and some elderflower leaves out!
Green Elder and Comfrey Ointment (also known as Oil of Swallows) is an excellent remedy for chillblains, cuts, grazes (especially infected ones) and bruising and sprains. The ointment should be made in the spring inbetween full leaf and flowering, which is around the time the swallows return hence the name.
Green Elder and Comfrey Ointment (Oil of Swallows) Recipe:
***Always apply a small amount of ointment initially to test for sensitivity***
Ingredients:
* 1/2 a carrier bag of fresh Elderflower Leaves
1/4 a carrier bag of fresh Comfrey Leaves
2 Handfulls of Dried or Fresh Lavender Flowers (Optional)
2 Blocks of Trex Vegetable Fat
1 Small bottle of Glycerine
Equipment:
* Large jam making pan or stew pan
Wooden spoon
Large bowl
The lower half of one leg from a pair of tights
Funnel or jug
5-6 very clean jam jars
1. Gently heat and melt 2 blocks of Trex Vegetable Oil in a large saucepan. The oil needs to be hot but not so hot that smoke is coming off, the idea is not to deep fry the leaves.
2. Adding the fresh leaves in small batches allow the leaves to wilt down and stir into the melted oil before adding the next batch. The oil should turn increasingly dark green as you add all the leaves. Add the Elderflower leaves first then the Comfrey leaves. Lavender is a powerful antiseptic and can be added to this ointment if desired although Lavender Oil can cause sensitivity so its optional. If using Lavender add 2 handfulls of fresh or dried flowers to the oil. Once all the leaves have been added allow five minutes to ensure the plant oils have infused into the vegetable oil base. (Take your time, allow the plant oils to infuse into the vegetable oil base).
3. Once all the leaves have been added and the oil is dark green and infused with the plant oils turn off the heat. Stretch the lower half of one leg from a pair of tights over a large bowl ensuring its secured and then carefully spoon the oil and leaves mixture through the tight foot into the bowl. Allow the oil to drip from the leaves into the bowl for a moment.
4. Next allow the leaves to cool enough to touch and then holding the tights leg closed squeeze the leaves to extrude any remaining oil. BE CAREFULL THE LEAVES CAN BE VERY HOT!!!
5. Once all the oil has been squeezed out discard the tights leg filled with leaves. Allow the oil to cool slightly then stir in 1 bottle of Glycerine (1/2 a bottle per block of Trex).Ensure the glycerine is stirred in well as it tends to sink to the bottom. The Glycerine ensures the ointment stays soft even in very cold weather.
6. Using a funnel pour the oil into clean jam jars and tighten the lids. Label and store in a cool dark place.
The ointment does smell like cabbage (even with the Lavender added) and its green but it works.
Topic: got me comfrey seeds (Read 3694 times)
