Comfrey:

Comfrey Hair Rinse has been used throughout the ages as a hair and scalp teatment. This Health and Beauty haircare secret is known for its rejuvenating properties. The simple infusion of Comfrey into water is a wonderful way to nourish both your hair and your scalp.

The attributes that make Comfrey a good conditioning rinse for hair are:

1.  Allantoin: A property that is credited with rapid cell regeneration. This helps to stimulate the scalp and promote a healthy environment for hair growth.
2. Rosmarinic Acid:is an anti-inflamitory and anioxident which helps with scalp inflamation and iratation. This property also helps with fighting dandruff.
3. Mucilage: is an, unoffensively, thick gel like substance found in some plants like Comfrey, Aloe Vera and cactus to name a few. Its role in Comfrey Hair Rinse is that it provides hydration to dry hair and scalp. Because of its slippery consistancy it also helpd with detangling by helping less knots to form, thereby reducing breakage. 
4. Tannins & Proteins: These properties help strengthen hair strands while also adding shine and body.

Apple Cider VInegar: (Optional)

Apple Cider Vinegar is rich in vitamans and gives the hair Rinse an added boost. It compliments all of the Comfrey's many benifis by softening, adding shine and detoxifying hair strands by stripping away daily hair products that cling and clog pours. It also helps with dandruff and itchy scalp.

For more information see:

• Make Comfrey Plant Food and Body Soak.
• What Properties in Comfrey are good for hair (Google Search)
• Apple Cider Vinegar benefits to hair (Google Search)

Note: Comfrey has pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). This is a toxic substance produced by plants that may cause liver damage or cancer. Do not use the Comfrey Rinse on broken skin.

1) No. You canot eat or cook with Comfrey Infused Water (aka-Hair Rinse). Comfrey naturally contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (Pas). PAs are a poison contained in various plants. It is thought that it is present in plants to act as a defence against preditors. PAs may cause liver damage or cancer, so it should not be consummed internally.

2) PAs do not absorb into the skin in the same way that they are absorbed when taken internally. Use topically only. Do not use on broken skin. Use short-term: on a schedule of so many days on, so many days off.

3) Do not use when trying to get pregnant, pregnant or nursing. Do not use on children, people with liver disease or other chronic illness. (Drugs.com) Consult your physician or veternarian with question before use. Patch test on a small area of skin to check for allergic reaction before widespread use (Humans and Animals).

4) When gifting or selling products containing Comfrey label properly by clearly listing Comfrey as an ingredient. Label as Health and Beauty Skincare product. Not Edible.

What You Will Need

1. Dried or Fresh Comfrey   

2. Fresh water

3. Distilled Apple Cider Vinegar (Optional)

4. A  Jar with a lid 

5. A bowl

6. A fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth

7. A funnel or measuring glass with spout

8. A storage jar with lid or spray bottle

9. Label

Infusion Time Choices:

1. There are two Infusion Times shown in these instructions.

2. The STEPS are the same for both methods, the only difference is the infusion time.

3. FAST STEEP METHOD:  TIME = (1/2) hour to overnight
4. SLOW INFUSION METHOD: TIME = (2) to (6) weeks

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OPTIONS and VARIATIONS.

1. Vinegar Infusion: (Optional)The Comfrey may be placed directly into Vinegar rather than Water to infuse. Or, simply add the Vinegar to the water infusion when done with steeping or infusing. Follow Instructions below.

2. Fresh Herbal Additions: Add other herbs. Fresh or Dried herbal plants may be added to the infusion water. Examples: Nettle, Goldenrod, Yarrow, Mint

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STEPS TO MAKE COMFREY HAIR RINSE (WITH VINEGAR OPTIONS)

STEP 1: Prepare The Comfrey

1. Use Dried Comfrey or Fresh Comfrey. Fresh Comfrey may be used because this formulation uses water. Water will not turn rancid like oil does. (Clean Fresh Comfrey before using. If you are infusing in Vinegar pat dry, then air dry for an hour or or two.)

2. Chop the Dried or Fresh Comfrey. This works best because chopping helps to expose the inner parts of the plant's vascular system - the transport system that carries water and all nutrients throughout the plant. Hence, granting greater exposure and extraction of nutrients into the water while steeping.

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STEP 2: Put Comfrey In The Jar

1. Fill the jar with Comfrey to 3/4 full or a little less. This will leave room for the water to completely saturate the plant matter.

2. If using the Slow Infusion Method with Dried Comfrey: do not overfill the jar. When over stuffed and packed tightly the dried matter may soak up most of the liquid and you will be left with mostly slimy plant mater, not the infused liquid that you desire. (The plant matter should be able to "swim" gently in the Water or Vinegar.)

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STEP 3: Add Water (or **Vinegar)

1. Pour the Water or Vinegar into the jar of Comfrey. Fill to just blow the top.
2. **VINEGAR OPTION: Vinegar may be used as the infusion liquid rather than water. Follow all the same steps exactly. Be sure to dilute with enough water when instructed. If the rinse is too strong it may irritate the scalp or damage hair rather than helping it.
3. ** Infusing in Vingar works best with the Slow Infusion.
4. For a Fast Steep, Vinegar is best added to the rinse when done Steeping (Step 6)

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STEP 4: CHOOSE Infusion Method:

FAST OR SLOW 

  🐇 FAST STEEP METHOD: 

The Fast method is great for when you need a small amount (A cup or small jar) of the rinse right away. Because this method does not cure as long, all of the the nutrients are not extracted from the plant matter. You may dry and reuse the material again and again until the infused water is very light in color or clear. 

1. *Follow Steps 1 &2 then:

2. Pour hot water over your Dried or Fresh Comfrey until the jar is full. (Not hot enough to disfigure the jar if using plastic).

3. Cover and let it steep for 30 minutes or overnight depending on your available time and potency desired. Make sure that all the plant matter is fully submerged.

NEXT: Go to (STEP 5: STRAIN) when finished with the steeping process.

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🐢 SLOW INFUSION METHOD:

The Slow method is great for making a very concentrated batch because the nutrients have more time to be pulled from the plant into the Water or Vinegar. 

1. *Follow Steps 1 &2 then:

2. Pour hot water over your Comfrey until the jar is full. (Not hot enough to disfigure the jar if using plastic). Make sure that all the plant matter is fully submerged.

3. Cover and let it infuse for (2) to (6) weeks. (Some say in a cool dark place, others in a sunny spot – I personally feel either location works well.)

4.  Rotate occasionally during this infusion period. (Some say daily, I do not feel that daily is necessary, but an option if you prefer daily.)

NEXT: Go to (STEP 5: STRAIN) when finished with the infusion process.

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STEP 5: Strain

1. Strain: Pour the contents through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a a large bowl to remove all plant material from the water.

2. Strain Until Clear: It may take a couple of strainings to remove all plant particles.

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STEP 6: Dilute

1. Cut The Strength: The concentrate should be weakened by adding fresh water (tap or bottled) to the bowl. The less time it steeps or infuses, the less strong the rinse is - so the less water you need to add.

2. ** Fast Method: 1:4 ratio. (1 part infused liquid to 4 parts fresh water.)

3. ** Slow Method: 1:10 ratio. ((1 part infused liquid to 10 parts fresh water.)

4. Vinegar Add-In For Water Based Rinses: Dilute with water first, then - If Vinegar is desired, add now. Add (1) to (2) tablespoons of Vinegar per cup of diluted rinse. Add all at once or as used.

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STEP 7: Bottle 

1. Bottle The Infused Water / Vinegar: Using a funnel or measuring glass with spout, pour the finished rinse into a clean bottle with a cap or into a spray bottle.

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STEP 8: Label

1. Write the name of the rinse and the date it was made on the bottle.
2. Include all ingredients used on the label.
3. ** If it is undiluted include that fact on the label as well.

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STEP 9: Store 

1. Refrigerate: If you do not use the full batch of rinse it will keep best if keep at room temperature or refrigerated. (You can warm as needed if desired.)

2. Expiration Date: There is no firm expiration date. For the best freshness (1) or (2) weeks is suggested. However it may last longer depending on room or refrigerator temperature. Also if it has Vinegar in the mix it may last a bit longer.

3. Batch Size: To reduce waste, make amounts that reflect your planned usage. If you make to much you can put the diluted Comfrey on plants or use as a Body Soak (Compress, Foot Bath or Bath Tub Soak). If it has Vinegar do not put on plants.

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STEP 10: How to Use Comfrey Hair Rinse

1. Patch test before using.

2. Apply To Hair: After shampooing, pour or spray over the hair and scalp. Massage gently, and let sit for (1) to (5) minutes before rinsing it out. (Optional: Some people leave it in.) If (PA)s are a concern to you it is best to rinse it out.

3. Not For Daily Use: Use once every (1) or (2) weeks. If you are not rinsing it out after applying use (1) time a month or less often. 

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STEP 11: Disposal

1. Liquid Infusion - Plants: The rinse without Vinegar is good for Plant Food. Be sure the infusion has been cut with enough water, plants do not need, nor do well with a heavy concentration. Concentration ratio remain the same, water should be very light. Feed on a schedule. Do not over feed.

2. Liquid Infusion - People: Use overage on unbroken skin, as a Compress on aches and pain from exercise or arthritis. Also can be used as a Body Soak or in a foot bath. (Vinegar okay for foot bath.)

3. Plant Matter: When done with all Infusions, there is still life left. Plants and the soil around them can benefit from the decomposition of the plant matter. Mix into garden soil or dice and mix small amounts into potted plants soil. Do not put directly on the plant's stem or roots.

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