How to Make Homemade Comfrey Infused Oil Hair Mask Recipe

Seasonal changes bring temperature fluctuations, which can negatively affect our hair health. Using heat tools too often, over-washing, and indoor heating can damage, create excess frizz, fade colored hair, or cause dry hair or dry scalp irritation. Fortunately, you don’t need to run out and buy another beauty product or pay for an expensive hair treatment to get nourished and healthy hair. Instead, head to your kitchen and grab just a few ingredients to create a DIY hair mask featuring the potent properties of comfrey herb-infused oils. 

About Comfrey 

Comfrey, or Symphytum officinale, is an herb that is part of the Borage or Boraginaceae family that includes a variety of medicinal plants and medicinal herbs. Its members include borage (Borago sp.) and heliotrope (Heliotropium sp.) and are also well-loved in the garden as a natural source of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Organic gardeners often use it as a natural fertilizer that is hardy and high-producing. 

What are the Benefits of Comfrey? 

Comfrey leaf has been used for thousands of years for a variety of applications, including as a method to reduce hair loss, and hair growth, heal wounds, calm insect bites, aid in the healing of ankle sprains, and as a natural remedy for pain relief from muscle soreness. 

Why is Comfrey Controversial?

Comfrey was once recommended for internal use to assist with stomach pains and stomach or gastrointestinal ailments. Now, comfrey is illegal to administer orally and is only for external use. Comfrey contains a toxic compound of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which have been found in scientific studies to cause liver damage and even death after long-term use. 

In the herbal and herbalism world, comfrey has long been used to heal open wounds and is best known for its external medical use for herbal remedies and herbal hair treatment qualities. 

How do you use comfrey for hair?

Although there are various methods for using comfrey for hair, many natural bath and body enthusiasts enjoy using comfrey as a hair rinse. One of the best ways to get the most out of comfrey is to create a comfrey-infused oil that can be used to create a massage oil for hair or as part of a hair rinse, like the recipe included in this post. 

How do you make comfrey herb oil infusion?

Herbal-infused oils are incredibly versatile and can be made with leaves, stems, or the roots of a plant. Comfrey leaves are potent and create an effective infused oil for all hair types. 

Cold Infusion Method
To make an infused herbal oil using a cold infusion method or folk infusion process, start with the dried herbs; in this case, use dried comfrey leaves. Using dried plant matter is important to ensure no additional moisture is added to the infused oil, which can cause the oil to go rancid.  For comfrey oil, place about 1/2 to 1 cup of dried comfrey leaves into a jar and then cover the jar with your oil of choice. For a hair mask, olive oil is the best choice; however, for thicker hair types or very dry hair, consider using jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil. Cover the dried herbs with the oil and secure the oil infusion with an air-tight lid. Let the infusion sit on a sunny windowsill at room temperature for 4-6 weeks for a slow oil infusion. This process of folk oil infusion takes a while but provides the best opportunity to extract the most nutrients from the plant matter. 

Quick Hot Infusion Method
Create a double boiler by placing a heat-proof bowl or glass jar into a pot that is half full of water. The bowl or jar should be tall enough to stand up out of the water. Add the dried comfrey leaves to the bowl or jar and pour the oil of choice over the herbs, ensuring the herbs are completely covered. Heat the water until it is boiling, then bring the temperature down to a medium-low simmer. Allow the oil to infuse for at least one hour up to six hours. You may need to replace the water during the process as it evaporates. Avoid allowing water to splash into the oil infusion. 

Once your oil infusion is complete, no matter which method you’ve used, strain the plant matter from the oil by pouring the infused oil through a fine mesh sieve and into a clean and sterilized glass jar. Secure the oil with an airtight lid. Your oil will remain shelf stable for us to one year. You can use your infused oil for creating comfrey salve, comfrey cream, and comfrey ointment. Make sure to label your infused oils and mark any infused oil that contains comfrey very clearly so it is not used for any internally-used recipes. 

Using Fresh Comfrey for Herbal Oils 

You can use fresh leaves for an oil infusion, but you will first want to allow the fresh herb to wilt for at least 12 to 24 hours to allow most moisture to evaporate. Again, once the herb has wilted, place it in a glass jar and cover it with two times the amount of oil, or enough so the herb is at least 2/3 covered by the oil. Allow the oil to seep for 4-6 weeks. 

What does comfrey do for the hair and scalp?

Comfrey is a very mucilaginous plant with many soothing properties, and when applied to hair, it can moisturize, detangle and enhance hair shine. No matter your hair type, comfrey can also moisturize the scalp and reduce dandruff, improving health and overall scalp conditions. 

Comfrey has also been found to help stimulate hair growth by mending the connection of the hair follicles to scalp. Comfrey can also aid those suffering from eczema or psoriasis of the scalp as a method of keeping the skin well-hydrated. 

How to Make Comfrey Hair Mask for Dry and Damaged Hair? 

Making a comfrey-infused oil hair mask is fun and easy. With just a few kitchen ingredients, you will be quickly on your way to healthier, happier, and shinier hair. A note about the following list of ingredients and tools, some of the items have been linked to outside sources that are affiliate links. When you purchase through the links I receive a small amount of compensation at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Ingredients for Your Hair Mask

1 Very ripe banana, peeled and mashed

2 tablespoons raw, unfiltered honey

3 tablespoons whole milk

1 egg, beaten

2 teaspoons of castor oil 

1/4 cup Comfrey Infused Oil (See the above instructions for creating an herbal infused oil)
(Comfrey and High-quality Olive oil)

Optional: 5-6 drops of your favorite essential oil. Orange or lavender essential oil give this hair mask a pleasant aroma.

Tools Needed:

Measuring spoons

Fork

Whisk

Mixing Bowl

Towel

Making A Comfrey Hair Mask

1. Start by peeling and mashing the banana with the fork. Mash the banana until it is the consistency of quick oats. 

2. Next, add the milk and honey and mix until the ingredients are combined. 

3. Crack the egg and beat it into the hair mask mixture. Keep whisking until the egg is completely incorporated.

4. Measure and pour in the castor oil and comfrey-infused oil. Blend all ingredients until they resemble a runny pancake or cake batter. 

5. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to improve the aroma of the hair mask and the overall experience. 

How to Apply the Comfrey Hair Mask to Your Hair

Place a towel over your shoulders to protect your clothing, and lean over a sink, bathtub, or shower to begin applying the hair mask onto your hair. Use a 1/4 or 1/2 measuring cup to measure and pour the hair mask onto your hair and work your hands through your hair to massage the mask into your scalp and hair follicles.  You may want o bend over and allow your hair to hang into the tub or sink to make applying the mask easier. 

Once the hair mask is applied to your hair, you can cover it with a shower cap or another towel and let your hair rest for 20 minutes for the best results. 

After 20 minutes, rinse the hair mask out of your hair and condition your hair with your favorite conditioner. 

Blow dry or allow your hair to air dry. If your hair feels overly greasy, rinse your hair again with soap and water and condition again. You can also use an apple cider hair rinse in place of shampoo for a gentler cleaning experience. 

Things to Consider When Using and Making a Comfrey Hair Mask

• You can use common comfrey, Russian Comfrey, or organic Comfrey as part of your oil infusion. Use the leaves and stems for this project instead of comfrey root. 
• If skin irritation occurs, discontinue use immediately and rinse the affected area with cool or warm water. 
• Use tools that are especially for creating bath and body products. Avoid using tools and equipment that is for everyday cooking or that are used for foods and products that are meant for internal consumption. 
• The Comfrey Hair Mask has a very short shelf life, but it can be kept in the fridge already mixed for three to five days. Be sure to label the jar clearly.

​Adjustments and Alternatives 

• Instead of comfrey-infused oil, you can use other others in its place. Calendula-infused oil is a great alternative oil. Just swap out the comfrey-infused oil for the calendula-infused oil for another hydrating and preparing oil option. 
• You can apply the comfrey-infused oil directly to your hair without the additional hair mask ingredients. Allow the oil to rest in your hair for up to 20 minutes, and rinse and cleanse your hair as usual after allowing the oil to soak. 
• You can use a combination of oils alongside the comfrey-infused oil. Use other infused oils besides the comfrey-infused oil, or pair the comfrey-infused oil with Sunflower oil for added vitamin E to the hair mask. 

Other Projects You May Like

If you enjoyed making a comfrey hair mask, you might enjoy some of our other bath and body projects. 

Tulsi Face Mask Recipe

DIY Cacoa Face Powder

How to Make Homemade Sugar Scrub With Turmeric and Ginger