Among the most appreciated treatments described by Maria Treben is the combination of external compresses with comfrey root and massage with St. John’s Wort oil, aimed at soothing rheumatic pain, inflammation, edema, and peripheral nerve disorders.
What Maria Treben said:
Nothing calms rheumatic, arthritic, or nerve pain like this blessed comfrey root. It is a gift from God for bones and joints. Maria Treben
Authentic Recipe (from the book)
Ingredients for the compress:
- 2-3 tablespoons of finely grated comfrey root (Symphytum officinale) preferably fresh
- 1-2 tablespoons of flour (wheat or rye) (optional, for consistency)
- Warm water (or an infusion of herbs for more effect)
Ingredients for the oil:
- St. John’s Wort flowers (Hypericum perforatum)
- Cold-pressed vegetable oil (olive or sunflower)
Preparation and Usage:
1. Compresses with Comfrey
- Grate the comfrey root.
- Mix it with a little warm water until a thick paste is obtained.
- Spread the paste on a piece of gauze or natural cloth.
- Apply it to the painful area (knee, elbow, spine, etc.), cover with plastic wrap, and then with a thick cloth.
- Leave it on for 30 to 60 minutes, depending on sensitivity.
- Repeat daily or every other day, for a minimum of 10 applications.
2. Preparation of St. John’s Wort Oil (according to Maria Treben)
- Fill a glass jar with fresh St. John’s Wort flowers, without pressing them down.
- Pour in the cold-pressed oil until the flowers are covered.
- Let it macrate in the sun for 3-4 weeks, shaking occasionally.
- The oil will take on a reddish-ruby color and should be strained.
- Store in a dark glass bottle, in a cool place.
3. Combined Application
- Massage the affected area with St. John’s Wort oil, then apply the comfrey compress.
- You can alternate: one day with oil, one day with compress, or both on the same day, depending on severity.
Benefits:
Comfrey:
- Contains allantoin, a substance that stimulates the regeneration of connective and bone tissues.
- Has anti-inflammatory, healing, and pain-relieving properties.
- Very effective for: rheumatism, arthritis, tendinitis, sprains, bruises, osteoarthritis.
Studies show that ointments with comfrey significantly reduce pain in osteoarthritis and low back pain (Study published in Phytomedicine, 2007).
St. John’s Wort Oil:
- Soothes pain, relaxes muscles, and helps restore local circulation.
- Excellent for neuralgia, sciatica, muscle pain, and stiff joints.
- Has clinically proven anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects.
Contraindications:
- Comfrey should not be used internally – only externally, for limited periods (no more than 4-6 consecutive weeks).
- Avoid application on open wounds, skin infections, or sensitive skin without prior testing.
- St. John’s Wort oil photosensitizes the skin – do not expose the treated area to sunlight after application.
Sources:
- Maria Treben – Health from the Pharmacy of the Lord
- Phytomedicine, Efficacy of topical Symphytum officinale ointment in osteoarthritis
- Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Hypericum perforatum oil for topical anti-inflammatory therapy
