Dallas Morning News – December 16, 2021

Skin Issues Follow Up

There was much interest and several questions about last week’s column on skin and other personal issues – so here’s a follow-up for you.

Comfrey juice can be used full strength squeezed from the stems

Comfrey for rashes, warts, moles and other growths. Where do I get the plant? Do I plant it, & grow to what age of plant maturity before it can be used?

It’s a tough, well-adapted, easy to grow perennial. So yes – plant it and harvest leaves and stems at any age. Most garden centers that sell culinary and medicinal herbs will usually have it in stock. It could also be ordered online. If friends have any growing, just dig a clump out and move to your place. It transplants easily.

Any blender will work but I use the NutriBullet

Comfrey juice can be used full strength squeezed from the stems without any dilution or additional ingredients. I use 3-4 leaves with the stems in about 2 cups of water. Any blender will work but I use the NutriBullet, and makes about a pint of comfrey “tea.” Store in glass to use for months or share some of your green magic with others. Commercial products are also available if you want to go that route.

Comfrey’s also available as commercial products under several brand names. A veterinarian friend of mine adds lanolin to the natural juice to treat growths and incision wounds from operations on animals. We have both receive excellent reports about the comfrey juice healing brown recluse spider bites.

This recipe makes about a pint of comfrey tea

Store in glass to use for months

Same questions for figs. Fig trees are for sell at all garden centers. Age of the leaves or fruit makes no difference. Just break fruit or leaves off the plant and daub the “milk” it onto the skin. No mixing or preparation is needed. It’s sticky and burns – but it works, especially on those crusty growths that might turn into skin cancers.

Cornmeal for toe fungus. How long each time do I soak the feet in the slurry? Every night? How long (days or weeks) should it take? Well, it varies. Soak your feet in warm cornmeal and water for an hour or so and do it again if needed. Sometimes one soaking cures the problem.

Hydrogen peroxide for dark “liver spots” on hands. Just rub the 3% stuff from the grocery store on the spots every day or so. It varies but spots usually start fading right away.

I didn’t mention aloe vera in the last column but should have. Nothing is better for burns. Just break off a fresh piece of leaf and daub or dab the gel from inside the leaf onto the burn. If done quickly, pain will lessen and no scaring in most cases. Raw honey can also be effective.

Once more – if you think taking medical advice from a dirt doctor is a little dicey, you’re right. The above suggestions work for me and many of my listeners, readers and friends – but might not for you. If they do or don’t, let me know.