Comfrey - Natural Remedy for Dog Skin irritation!

I have been playing around lately with Comfrey leaves - mainly because my new puppy has VERY sensitive skin, and she has developed a rash in her belly from scratching. I  am pretty sure it was from food allergies so I have changed her food but the rash was not healing.  My vet gave me a cream to put on the rash but I am trying to move towards more holistic healing.

I found some references to Comfrey being good for skin irritations, bites, gashes and rashes.  Then I consulted my wholistic veterinary reference books and found out that Comfrey is safe to use for all dogs (external only!).

Sooo... I made a strong Comfrey infusion and have been putting it on her rash area twice a day and - voila - 2 days later the rash is all cleared up!

Here is the basic recipe:

1-2 Cups of Water
1/2 of Dried Comfrey Leaves (if you use the muslin bag below, just fill the bag as much as you can - should be about half an ounce)
1 Old clean sock, or muslin bag (or any other cotton bag to hold the comfrey or you will make a mess - note if you use a sock, it will stain the sock)
1 large clean Jar

Bring the water to a boil, put the comfrey sachet in the water much like a tea.  Let it steep for about 30 minutes (just like a tea - but much longer than most teas).  You will have a very dark brown solution.  Squeeze the bag with the Comfrey well before you pull it out to get all the extra solution out- save the muslin bag as you can use it over and over again.  If you used loose herbs, you will need to strain the solution with cheesecloth or a coffee filter and let it cool.  Once cool, its ready to use.  I have been putting the solution on a cotton ball (really saturating it) and rubbing it over the affected area twice a day.  I noticed an improvement in her skin the very next day.  The solution will hold in the fridge for approximately one week.

One note - this is to be used topically only - DO NOT USE IT INTERNALLY! Also women who are pregnant should not use it at all.  It is safe to use on puppies and large dogs and people.  I would not use it on small children either - if you are going to use it on kids, steep it for only 10 minutes instead of 30 or dilute it with water (half solution, half water).

Comfrey/Yarrow Poultice for Dog bites, cuts and scrapes

Also, being in dog rescue, I have been bitten many times.  Here is a quick poultice that I have used in the past that has helped a lot.  This is for bites that do not require stitches.  It can also be used for any cut or scrape - but if you have something that requires stitches - then go to the hospital!  I started to use this because I really hate those topical creams like Neosporin - also with this poultice my cuts/bites have healed faster and with minimal scarring.

You will need:

1/2 oz of Dried Comfrey
1/2 oz of Dried Yarrow
2 Cups of Water
One large clean bowl

Boil the water just like for tea.  Put both the Comfrey and Yarrow in the bowl and mix them well.  Pour the boiling water over the herb mixture, just enough to cover it. You want a wet herb mixture - not herb soup.  Let it steep and cool for about 30 minutes.  Once cool, grab a towel (yes you will make a mess) and put the bowl under the affected area and a towel under the bowl.  Now, use your hands, and grab the wet herb mixture and rub it into the affected area.  Once it dries some, do it again, and keep doing it.  I do this generally in front of the TV, for about 30-45 minutes.  Then, clean up and throw the herb mixture out.

The last 3 times I used it, I had no swelling, and it was mostly healed in 3-4 days.  I only apply it once, right after it happens, but you could apply it daily for faster results.  It worked really well for me.  I have also used it when I ripped my leg open on a wire in the garage - it healed up just the same - it also works wonders to stop the bleeding.  I keep this herb mixture handy in a ziploc baggie in he kitchen - so when something happens, I start the water boiling and apply pressure to the area until the herb mixture is ready to be used. 

I hope this works well for you too - enjoy!