First extraction of Comfrey after Decoction.
The Decoction is done, and we move to the extraction process. Extraction is difficult, but you have several choices.
- Gravity extraction. We allow the liquid to drip through a screen.
- Manual extraction. The Comfrey is placed in a cloth, and enough pressure is applied to the cloth, to gorce out the liquid
- Press extraction. The decoction is placed in a press, and the press is cycled to remove the liquid.
- Steam extraction. The decoction is exposed to steam, and the liquid is collected.
I use 1 and 4 together. Here is a picture of gravity extraction.
And here is the first extraction product.
This is the strongest dilution, and some can be set aside, by freezing, to make creams later. Once this collection is done, the remaining decoction enters steam extraction.
smithlabs! man that stuff looks terrible.
Look real pretty to me, that liquid is worth about $20 an ounce! If I had to buy this, what you see in these bottles would cost about $600!
It is that good, no exaggeration!
:)what do you do drink that black stuff?
When I take comfrey internally, I usually make an infusion (tea) on the leaves.
:)The decoction is too strong, to drink, and way too hard to make, to drink!!
so when you put it on you put it on full strength?
Yes, I have roller bottles I use to apply this, full strength. It is impressive!
:)smithlabs! hey isn't that the stuff that you treated that spider bite with? what kind of spider was that?
Same stuff. and it was a Brown Recluse (fiddleback); the trick is to heal faster than the venom can destroy.
Comfrey stimulates hyaluronic acid production which is the mortar the body uses to bind cells together. This is what the venom destroys, but it is replaced faster than it is liquified with comfrey. The Vulnerary (cell growth) action of comfrey allows the body to heal from one of these bites overnight. I have tried it nine times now, with 100% success.
I understand that it works with snake bites too (They attack hyaluronic acid also), but I, thankfully, have not had the chance to test that!
:)interesting... I've read about the uses of Comfrey and Bruising/Bone knitting after a fracture, but have you any experience with this?
The active ingredient will penetrate a foot deep, and it does accelerate healing. It should be very helpful, I have used it on deep bruising very successfully. I am using it on a broken toe right now. It works best on arthritis. Comfrey is not the only healing accelerant, but it is the strongest. It's latin name is knit bone, and it has been used on fractures for 2500 years.
Great... Many thanks.... something to put in the memory banks - A salve may be usefull or poultice.
I have used both. The active ingredient is allintoin, it is a vulnerary (accelerates healing) a cell proliferant that stimulates cell division. It is weaker in a cream (which can be an advantage in specific uses) but a poultice overnight can do wonders. The leaves are weaker in allintoin, and make a good poultice.
:)I like the Tincture because it stores well, and a fomentation works like a poultice.
Great info... Thanks man
Happy to help!
:DI am in love with this shot
Are you a bot?
no, he comes up human @smithlabs - just not too smart.
Okay, I was wondering. the exact same message twice didn't look good, LOL!
:)I am in love with this shot
Glad, you like it.
:)The top picture is the decoction of Comfrey root in the top (colander) of the steam extractor. The second picture is the central piece that collects the extracted liquid when steam is used; I am using it as as a simple catch basin for the gravity extraction.