Comfrey Leaf Infused Oil

At Biggar.Co Botanicals, we take a little extra time with our herbal oils. Our comfrey is prepared using an alcohol-intermediary infusion method, a traditional-style approach designed to help prepare the plant material before it is infused into oil.

 

Comfrey has been used traditionally in topical herbal preparations for generations. Its leaves contain naturally occurring botanical constituents such as allantoin, mucilage and rosmarinic acid, contributing to its distinctive herbal profile.

 

This is a botanical ingredient for the herbal enthusiast who appreciates traditional plants, old-world preparation methods and the time that goes into making something properly.

 

Herbal infusions are key ingredients in personal care formulations, including Salves & Balms, Masks & Scrubs, Lip Balms & Glosses, Creams & Lotions, Massage Blends, Bar & Liquid Soaps and Bath Oils.

 

For external use only. Do not apply to broken or damaged skin. This product is intended as a cosmetic botanical ingredient and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition.

Comfrey has a long and fascinating history in traditional herbalism. Known botanically as Symphytum officinale, this hardy perennial has been valued for generations and has earned a place in traditional European herbal gardens and apothecaries.

 

The name Symphytum comes from the Greek word symphyo, meaning “to grow together” or “to unite,” reflecting the plant's long-standing association with traditional herbal preparations.

 

Comfrey's broad, slightly fuzzy leaves and purple, pink, or creamy flowers make it a beautiful garden plant, but its real story lies beneath the surface. Traditional herbalists worked with both the leaves and roots, preparing them in different ways for botanical applications.

 

 

Botanical Name: (Symphytum officinale)
Family: Boraginaceae
Also Known As: boneset, knitbone and black wort
Native To: Europe
Plant Part: Leaf

Country of Origin: Canada

Rather than placing dried comfrey directly into oil, we first introduce the prepared herb to a measured amount of alcohol.

The alcohol acts as an intermediary solvent, helping to moisten and prepare the plant material and allowing certain constituents to become more readily available before the oil infusion begins.

Once the initial step is complete, the prepared herb is transferred into our carrier oil and gently warmed under controlled conditions. The infusion is then allowed time for the botanical constituents that are oil-soluble to move into the carrier oil.

The finished infusion is carefully strained and filtered, leaving a smooth, richly botanical oil.

 

Why Use an Alcohol Intermediary?

Herbs contain a wide variety of naturally occurring compounds, and different compounds have different solubility characteristics. Alcohol and oil can each interact with different constituents of plant material.

Using an alcohol-intermediary step before the oil infusion is one way of approaching herbal extraction with a little more intention than a simple oil maceration.

The result is a beautifully botanical infused oil suitable for use in salves, balms and other anhydrous topical formulations.