Comfrey is also widely used in traditional medicine as a topical application to help heal wounds.¹ In a study of people with acute ankle sprains, topical application of an ointment four times a day containing a comfrey extract was at least as effective as, and possibly more effective than, a topically applied anti-inflammatory drug (diclofenac). The comfrey ointment was a proprietary product that contained 35% comfrey extract.²

Comfrey has anti-inflammatory properties that may decrease bruising when the herb is applied topically.³ Comfrey is also widely used in traditional medicine as a topical application to help heal wounds.⁴Witch hazel can also be used topically to decrease inflammation and to stop bleeding.⁵ Native Americans used poultices of witch hazel leaves and bark to treat wounds, insect bites, and ulcers.⁶Horsetail can be used both internally and topically to decrease inflammation and promote wound healing.⁷

Comfrey is also widely used in traditional medicine as a topical application to help heal wounds.⁸

The mucilage of slippery elm gives it a soothing effect for coughs. Usnea also contains mucilage, which may be helpful in easing irritating coughs. There is a long tradition of using wild cherry syrups to treat coughs. Other traditional remedies to relieve coughs include bloodroot, catnip, comfrey (the above-ground parts, not the root), horehound, elecampane, mullein, lobelia, hyssop, licorice, mallow, (Malvia sylvestris),red clover, ivy leaf, pennyroyal (Hedeoma pulegioides, Mentha pulegium),onion, (Allium cepa), and plantain (Plantago lanceolata, P. major). None of these has been investigated in human trials, so their true efficacy for relieving coughs is unknown.

Comfrey has anti-inflammatory properties that may decrease bruising when the herb is applied topically.⁹ Comfrey is also widely used in traditional medicine as a topical application to help heal wounds.¹⁰Witch hazel can also be used topically to decrease inflammation and to stop bleeding.¹¹ Native Americans used poultices of witch hazel leaves and bark to treat wounds, insect bites, and ulcers.¹²Horsetail can be used both internally and topically to decrease inflammation and promote wound healing.¹³

Comfrey has a long tradition of use as a topical agent for improving healing of wounds and skin ulcers.^14,15 It is also used for people with gastrointestinal problems, including stomach ulcers, though these traditional uses have yet to be tested in scientific studies. People should only use comfrey preparations made from the leaves and avoid those made from the root.

Several herbs have been traditionally used to treat eye inflammation. Examples include calendula, eyebright, chamomile, and comfrey. None of these herbs has been studied for use in conjunctivitis or blepharitis. As any preparation placed on the eye must be kept sterile, topical use of these herbs in the eyes should only be done under the supervision of an experienced healthcare professional.