Comfrey leaf was once a common medicinal herb, with alternate names like boneset and knitbone indicating its former use.
Powdered comfrey leaf, however, may be used to make poultices, ointments, salves and creams for minor skin irritations where there is no broken skin.
Also known as Quaker comfrey, slippery root and knitbone, comfrey has been cultivated since 400 BC as poultice material to address inflammation associated with rashes, bruises and sprains.