Comfrey root contains allantoin, which gives this fantastic herb tremendous wound-healing powers. This plant has been scientifically proven to heal sores, ulcerations, burns, and diverse types of wounds, especially those difficult to cure.
Comfrey Root Scientific Facts
- Other names: Consoud, common comfrey
- French: Grande consoude
- Spanish: Consuelda mayor
- Environment: Wet, damp soils of northern and Europe
- Description: Vivacious plant of the Boraginaceae family, growing from 60 to 100cm high. It has lanceolate, decurrent leaves (they grow directly from the stem, without petioles) covered by hairs. The flowers are pink, yellow, or violet.
- Parts of the plant used for medicinal purposes: The rhizome (underground stem) and the root.
- Latin/Botanical Name: Symphytum officinale
- Origin: Croatia
- USDA Certified Organic
- CGMP Compliant (Current Good Manufacturing Practices)
- Kosher Certified by Kosher Certification Services
Healing Properties and Warning
Comfrey root contains allantoin (1%-1.5%), sugars (starch, saccharose, inulin), high amounts of mucilage, glycosides, alkaloids, tannin, choline, and resin. Here are some comfrey root benefits:
- Wound healing: Thanks to its allantoin content, it has been experimentally proven to stimulate fibroblast proliferation. These are cells of the conjunctive tissues, which form the scar of wounds. Therefore, its use assists in slow-healing wounds, skin sores, ulcers, burns, and whenever stimulation of wounded or bruised tissues is required. Allantoin also acts on the periosteum, a layer of tissue that surrounds the bones and where the bone callus, which closes any breakage, is formed. However, it is not used in traumatology, perhaps because its application on the bone is quite challenging. Moreover, there are other physical measures to close fractures at present.
- Soothing effect on skin and mucosa: Thanks to its content in mucilage, it promotes the healing of eczema, rashes, and other skin irritations and inflammations.
- Astringent: Due to the comfrey root’s content in tannin, it dries the mucosa and clots capillary vessels. Mouth rinses with comfrey root are recommended for stomatitis, gingivitis or inflammation of the gums, and pharyngitis.
Whenever internally applied, comfrey root has antidiarrheic and pectoral properties (eases cough), but it is better to use it only in external applications since internally used, it can be toxic.
WARNING! The root, the stem, and the leaves of this plant are toxic when taken orally since the alkaloid symphytine is present in them. This alkaloid has poisonous effects on the liver. Another substance, the glycoside called consolidine, produces paralysis in the central nervous system, and when taken in high doses, respiratory failure is also present in the plant.
Note: In Spain, another comfrey species is called lesser comfrey (Symphytum tuberosum L.), also called tuberous. The properties of lesser comfrey and its applications are the same as those of the common comfrey.
All around, comfrey root is a fantastic remedy. It possesses a soothing, healing effect on every organ it touches. The herb can be used internally and externally to heal ulcers, sores, wounds, and fractures. It helps heal wounds rapidly and aids with cell proliferation. Confrey is highly effective against dysentery, coughs, internal bleeding, catarrh, lung ailments, stomach issues, and ulcerated bowels.
The comfrey root can also aid the pancreas in regulating blood glucose levels. It helps relieve irritations associated with the stomach, small intestine, gallbladder, and kidneys. The herb does an excellent job stimulating pepsin secretion and, in general, is a great help to digestion.
The plant’s content of mucilage is amongst the highest of all herbs. The root’s demulcent properties have been used to treat coughs and lung trouble. It is also used successfully for gallbladder inflammation, emphysema, dysentery, diarrhea, coughs, colitis, calcium deficiency, bronchitis, blood purification, internal bleeding, anemia, arthritis, and asthma.
Externally, the plant can be beneficial in treating sprains, psoriasis, burns, bruises, boils, sunburns, skin rashes, scabies, nosebleeds, leg ulcers, bites, stings, and bed sores. To help against bleeding, use a potent decoction of the root, using ½ to one ounce every 2 hours until the bleeding subsides.
The fresh leaves of the comfrey can be bruised and applied as a poultice to moist ulcers, gangrene, open sores, burns, and wounds. You can also put tea on them. It would be wise to keep some comfrey growing in your garden. It will keep supplying you year after year once it is established. The plant is versatile and prolific. A little piece of the root can reproduce in any moist, shady area.
Germany approved applications of the leaf in treating sprains and bruises and the root poultice for treating sprains, pulled ligaments, and muscles.
How to Use Comfrey Root
Comfrey root is only applied externally on wounds, ulcerations, bruises, and burns.
- Compresses: Prepare an infusion with 100 or 200g of root per liter of water, steeping in cold extract for several hours. Soak cotton or gauze compresses in this liquid and apply them to the affected skin area, changing them twice or thrice daily.
- Poultices with comfrey root, fresh, ground, or mashed. Change them as compresses two or three times a day.
- Mouth rinses with the liquid of the cold extract used for compresses.
Infusion (leaves): Steep for thirty minutes. Take six ounces three times daily. Decoction (root): Simmer for thirty minutes. Take three ounces frequently. Tincture: Take ½ to one teaspoon three times daily. Fluid Extract: Take ½ to two teaspoons three times daily. Powder: Take five to ten #0 capsules (30 to 60 grains) daily.
Frequently Asked Question
I understand comfrey is only approved for topical use. What are the most effective ways to use it this way?
Here are some common, topically-safe uses for comfrey root:
1. Comfrey salves and ointments: Applied directly to bruises, sprains, strains, and sore muscles to reduce pain and inflammation.
2. Comfrey compresses: Soaked cloths that provide targeted relief for areas of swelling or injury.
3. Comfrey poultice: A paste of comfrey root is applied to inflamed or injured areas, sometimes wrapped in cloth.
4. Comfrey-infused oils: Comfrey-infused into carrier oils (like olive or coconut oil) for massage or directly on irritated skin.
I’ve heard about pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in comfrey. How can I minimize my exposure?
Here are some precautions to take:
1. Choose PA-free varieties: Seek out comfrey varieties specifically cultivated to contain deficient levels of PAs.
2. Stick to short-term use: It’s best to limit topical comfrey use to short periods (no more than 10 days at a time), with breaks in between.
3. Avoid open wounds: Comfrey is not recommended for broken skin, which can increase PA absorption.
4. Do not use during pregnancy or breastfeeding: PAs could potentially harm a developing baby.
Are there some interactions to be aware of when using comfrey topically?
While topical comfrey generally has a low risk of interactions, it’s always a good idea to:
1. Consult your doctor: In particular, if you are taking other drugs or have pre-existing health concerns, you should discuss the possibility of utilizing comfrey as a topical treatment.
2. Avoid if you are on liver-affecting medications: Comfrey might put additional strain on the liver when combined with drugs that also impact liver function.
Where can I buy reliable, PA-free comfrey products?
It’s essential to source ethically produced and safe comfrey products:
1. Reputable herbal suppliers: Look for suppliers that specifically state their comfrey is PA-free or from specific low-PA cultivars.
2. Specialty apothecaries: Many natural healers and herbalists carry high-quality comfrey products and can also advise on usage.
3. Organic farms: Some farms specializing in herbs may produce and sell their comfrey products with a focus on purity and safety.
DISCLAIMER: All content on this website is presented solely for educational and informational objectives. It would be best to not rely on the information provided as a replacement for advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified medical expert. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have any preexisting medical concerns, you should talk to your doctor before using any herbal or natural medicines.
REFERENCES
- George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. “Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants.” George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Ed. Francesc X. Gelabert. vols. 2 San Fernando de Henares: Editorial Safeliz, 2000. 732,733. Print.
- Vance Ferrell Harold M. Cherne, M.D. The Natural Remedies Encyclopedia [Book]. – Altamont, TN: Harvestime Books, 2010. – Vol. Seventh Edition: 7: pp. 153, 154.
- PubMed (National Library of Medicine): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ – Look for studies involving comfrey’s anti-inflammatory properties, wound-healing potential, and safety considerations.
- Cochrane Library: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/ – A reliable source for systematic reviews on herbal remedies like comfrey.
- Botanical Safety Handbook (American Herbal Products Association): https://www.ahpa.org/ – Details the benefits and potential risks of widely-used herbs.
- HerbMed: http://www.herbmed.org/ – An evidence-based database of useful information on various herbs.
- FDA (Food and Drug Administration): https://www.fda.gov/ – Offers important warnings and regulatory guidelines surrounding comfrey usage.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH): https://www.nccih.nih.gov/ – Provides detailed information and research updates on herbs, including their possible side effects.
Last update on 2024-04-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
