How to Make and Sell Comfrey Salves
Transform your comfrey harvest into premium healing salves. This guide covers everything you need to know about creating, packaging, and marketing comfrey salves for a profitable business.
The Comfrey Salve Business Opportunity
Creating and selling comfrey salves represents one of the most profitable ways to add value to your comfrey harvest. Here's why this business opportunity is particularly attractive:
- High profit margins - Raw materials cost $2-4 per jar, with retail prices of $15-30
- Year-round sales potential - Not limited to growing seasons
- Extended shelf life - Properly made salves can last 1-2 years
- Multiple market channels - From farmers markets to online stores to wellness shops
- Brand building potential - Create a recognizable product line with loyal customers
- Low startup costs - Begin with basic kitchen equipment and scale up
A single mature comfrey plant can produce enough leaves for approximately 10-15 two-ounce salve containers per year, making this a scalable opportunity as your comfrey patch grows.
Ingredients and Equipment
Basic Ingredients
- Comfrey leaves - Fresh or dried from your Bocking 14 plants
- Carrier oil - Olive oil, sunflower oil, or sweet almond oil
- Beeswax - For thickening and stabilizing the salve
- Essential oils (optional) - For fragrance and additional benefits
- Vitamin E oil (optional) - As a natural preservative
Equipment Needed
- Double boiler - For safely heating oils and wax
- Cheesecloth or fine strainer - For straining the infused oil
- Glass jars or tins - For packaging the finished product
- Labels - For branding and product information
- Digital scale - For consistent measurements
- Thermometer - For monitoring oil temperatures
Finding Quality Suppliers
For a professional product, source high-quality ingredients from reputable suppliers:
- Beeswax: Local beekeepers often offer the best quality and prices
- Carrier oils: Look for organic, cold-pressed options from soap-making suppliers
- Packaging: Specialty Bottle, SKS Bottle, or Berlin Packaging offer bulk options
- Labels: Online printing services like Avery, Vistaprint, or local print shops
Production Process
Harvesting and Preparing Comfrey
Harvest mature comfrey leaves, avoiding any with disease or insect damage. Wash thoroughly and allow to wilt slightly (for fresh leaves) or use properly dried leaves.
Quality tip: Harvest leaves before flowering for highest potency.
Creating the Oil Infusion
There are two methods for infusing comfrey into your carrier oil:
- Slow method: Fill a clean, dry jar halfway with chopped comfrey leaves. Cover completely with carrier oil. Seal and place in a sunny window for 4-6 weeks, shaking daily.
- Quick method: Place comfrey and oil in a double boiler. Heat gently at 100-120°F (38-49°C) for 2-3 hours, ensuring oil never boils.
Production tip: The slow method is often preferred for higher quality, but the quick method works well for business production needs.
Straining the Oil
Strain the infused oil through cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer, squeezing to extract all oil. For a clearer product, strain twice.
Quality tip: Allow the strained oil to settle for 24 hours, then carefully pour off the clear oil, leaving any sediment behind.
Creating the Salve
Basic salve recipe (makes approximately 10 2-oz containers):
- 2 cups comfrey-infused oil
- 1 oz (by weight) beeswax
- Optional: 1 tsp vitamin E oil (preservative)
- Optional: 20-30 drops essential oil for fragrance
Heat the infused oil in a double boiler. Add beeswax and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat, add vitamin E and essential oils if using, and stir well.
Packaging and Labeling
Pour the warm mixture into prepared containers and allow to cool completely before capping. Apply professional labels with your branding, ingredients list, and usage instructions.
Business tip: The "pour temperature" affects the appearance of your final product. Pouring at around 130-140°F (54-60°C) typically gives the smoothest finish.
Scaling Your Production
As your business grows, you can scale production by:
- Investing in larger double boilers or dedicated oil warmers
- Creating production batches that optimize your time (typically 30-50 containers per batch)
- Developing a production schedule that aligns with your comfrey harvest times
- Setting up a dedicated workspace that meets local regulations for product manufacturing
Packaging, Branding, and Marketing
Professional Packaging
Your packaging is often the first thing customers notice. Consider these options:
- Glass jars: Premium look, environmentally friendly, but heavier and more fragile
- Metal tins: Durable, lightweight, good for shipping, modern appearance
- Paperboard tubes: Eco-friendly option, distinctive look
- Sizes: 0.5oz (sample), 1oz, 2oz (most popular), 4oz (value size)
Creating Your Brand
A strong brand helps your products stand out in a competitive market:
- Develop a memorable brand name that reflects your values
- Create a consistent visual identity (logo, colors, typography)
- Tell your story - customers connect with the person behind the product
- Highlight your comfrey growing practices (organic, sustainable, etc.)
Marketing Strategies
In-Person Sales
- Farmers markets and craft fairs
- Wellness and herbal events
- Local health food stores
- Garden centers (alongside your comfrey plants)
Tip: Offer samples or demonstrations to engage customers
Online Sales
- Your own e-commerce website
- Etsy or other handmade marketplaces
- Social media shops (Facebook, Instagram)
- Amazon Handmade
Tip: High-quality product photography is essential for online sales
Content Marketing
- Educational blog posts about comfrey benefits
- Social media showing your production process
- Email newsletter with seasonal promotions
- Video tutorials on salve applications
Tip: Position yourself as an expert in herbal remedies
Partnerships
- Local massage therapists and bodyworkers
- Herbalists and natural health practitioners
- Gardening clubs and organizations
- Farm-to-table restaurants and farm stands
Tip: Offer wholesale pricing for professional partners
Pricing Your Salves
| Item | Material Cost | Retail Price | Profit Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5oz sample tin | $1.00-1.50 | $5-7 | 70-80% |
| 1oz tin/jar | $1.75-2.50 | $10-15 | 75-85% |
| 2oz tin/jar | $2.50-4.00 | $15-25 | 80-85% |
| 4oz value size | $4.50-6.00 | $25-35 | 75-85% |
| Gift set (2 items) | $5.00-8.00 | $30-45 | 80-85% |
Legal Considerations
Important Legal Notice
Regulations regarding the sale of comfrey-based products vary by country and region. In many places, comfrey is approved for external use only. Always research and comply with regulations in your area.
Product Claims
Be careful about making health or medicinal claims about your comfrey salves. In the US, such claims could cause your product to be regulated as a drug by the FDA.
Safer alternative: Describe traditional uses and let customers draw their own conclusions.
Labeling Requirements
Your product labels should include:
- Product name
- Net weight/volume
- Complete ingredient list
- Your business name and contact information
- Appropriate disclaimers (e.g., "For external use only")
Business Registration
Register your business appropriately for selling cosmetic or topical products, which may have different requirements than selling live plants.
Consider consulting with a small business attorney familiar with cosmetic regulations.
Insurance
Product liability insurance is essential when selling topical products. Look for policies specifically designed for small-scale cosmetic or herbal product makers.
Getting Started: Your First Steps
Start with Quality Plants
Begin by establishing a healthy patch of Bocking 14 comfrey plants. This sterile cultivar is ideal for medicinal use due to its higher allantoin content.
Create Test Batches
Experiment with small batches to perfect your recipe before scaling up. Document your process carefully for consistency.
Develop Your Brand
Create your brand identity, including name, logo, and packaging design. Consider working with a graphic designer for professional results.
Start Small
Begin selling at local venues like farmers markets or craft fairs to gather customer feedback before investing in larger production runs or online platforms.
Scale Gradually
As demand grows, gradually increase your comfrey plantings and production capacity. Reinvest profits into better equipment and marketing.
Estimated Startup Costs
| Item | Estimated Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Comfrey plants (10 plants) | $100-150 | Foundation for your business |
| Basic equipment | $100-200 | Double boiler, thermometer, containers, etc. |
| Initial ingredients | $75-150 | Oils, beeswax, essential oils, etc. |
| Packaging supplies | $100-200 | Jars/tins, labels, boxes |
| Business registration | $50-300 | Varies by location |
| Insurance | $300-500 | Annual product liability coverage |
| Total | $725-1,500 | Basic startup costs |
Ready to Start Your Comfrey Salve Business?
Begin with quality Bocking 14 comfrey plants as your foundation. Explore our other business opportunity guides to learn more about production techniques and additional revenue streams.