HEALING HERBS OF THE ANCIENT CELTS

[bridget orman]

Comfrey – (Lus na Cnámh Briste)

The Gaelic name for Comfrey means "the plant for broken bones", and is used as a poultice today for treating sprains, sprains, bruises and swellings. Until recently it was used by families in the Aran Islands, Kerry, Limerick and other parts of the country as a poultice for healing broken bones, knowledge which has probably been passed up through the generations from the ancient Celts. Comfrey can be found growing along the river at Shanganagh and near Loghlinstown, and in the past, in parts of Co Louth along the river Boyne.

Due to their active lifestyle and the Druids being master botanists and herbalists, it would have been a stable in the Celtic medicine chest. Comfrey is perennial; it grows year round, and would have been widely available to the Celtic physicians.

Comfrey though is highly toxic, and not recommended for internal use. Even as a poultice one needs to be careful, as it does not have antiseptic properties and could infect an open wound.

[Lady Boru]

Thank you so much!