Comfrey
Here is a large amount of information on Comfrey, but I felt I needed to put this in, due to how carefully you have to use this herb (for with its healing quality, there is also a danger in using it). Read up and make your own decision on this herb. Personally, I like it, but rarely use this herb. There is safety in knowledge on this herb, mixed with moderation.
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Since the 16th century Comfrey has been used for overall healing of bones, wounds, and gangrene. Certain species of Comfrey were given to animals as part of their diet to help prevent hoof and mouth disease. Comfrey contains allantoin, a cell-proliferant that helps repair damaged tissue. This herb also contains rosmarinic acid, an anti-inflammatory.
Comfrey Leaf Uses & Scientific Evidence For
Comfrey is used for skin problems as it speeds healing of wounds and skin conditions. This leaf is used to treat bedsores, bites, stings, bruises, inflamed bunions, ulcers, gout, arthritis, psoriasis, scabies, eczema, acne, boil, and sunburn. It is also used in treating bleeding piles, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, nosebleeds, and phlebitis. Comfrey is used on stomach ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It may also help with carpel tunnel syndrome. Internally, Comfrey tea acts as a blood purifier and can help heal stomach ulcers. It also works on respiratory problems such as colds congestion, pleurisy, and bronchitis.
Comfrey Leaf Dosage Information
Comfrey comes in various forms and is an ingredient in many products. Read product label directions for treatment of your symptoms.
Comfrey Leaf Safety & Interaction Information
When taken internally and in large doses, Comfrey could cause damage to your liver and long term use could lead to liver cancer. Using Comfrey externally is generally considered safe; however, care should be taken when using this herb in a compress for external wounds because the healing action is so fast and effective, that the top of a deep wound would heal over before the deeper portions had a chance to heal, thus causing an infection or abscess situation. Pregnant women should not use this product internally. Safety in young children, nursing mothers, or those with severe liver or kidney disease is not known.
Another point of view:
Comfrey leaf has a long history of use to promote the healing of bones and wounds, as well as internal use to treat a wide variety of ailments from arthritis to ulcers. Its use in Chinese traditional medicine spans over 2000 years. Comfrey is widely known as ïïone of natureÍÍs greatest medicinal herbsÍÍ, and has appeared in the U.S. Pharmacopeia, as well as in herbals and compendiums around the world.
Recently, reports of the toxic effects of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in comfrey have led some herbalists to be wary of using it internally. PAs in extremely large doses or over long periods of time may cause potentially fatal damage to the liver. Many leading herbalists and traditional healers question the warnings, pointing to laboratory tests that show only minute levels of PAs in random samples of comfrey preparations.
One of the most common uses of comfrey leaf is in an ointment or a poultice applied to sprains, broken bones and other wounds, where it promotes rapid healing of both skin lesions and bone breaks.
tannin, rosmarinic acid, allantoin, steroidal saponins, mucilage, inulin, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, Gum, Carotene, Glycosides, Sugars, Beta-sitosterol, Triterpenoids, Vitamin B-12, Protein, Zinc.
The main healing ingredient in comfrey leaf appears to be a substance called allantoin, which encourages the rapid growth of cells.
Leaf
Paste, ointment, tincture, decoction, poultice and in cosmetics.
Research seems to bear out the claims for the healing properties of comfrey leaf. In one major European study, an ointment based on comfrey root proved more effective at relieving both pain and swelling in 142 patients with sprained ankles. In another study with over 300 participants showed that comfrey leaf treatments of varying types (ointments, salves, compresses and other topical applications), were very effective in treating eczema, dermatitis, viral skin infections and ulcers of the lower leg. More recent research in the United States has shown that allantoin, one of comfreyÍÍs main constituents, breaks down red blood cells, which could account for its ability to help heal bruises and contusions.
With regards to the warnings that comfrey can cause cancer and liver disease, most herbal practitioners point out that those results were from studies that isolated the pyrrolizidine alkaloids and fed or injected them into animal subjects in doses far higher than any typical usage of comfrey leaf, and that comfrey leaf has been regularly ingested by thousands of people around the world without reported ill effects.
Not for internal use. Not to be used while pregnant
Comfrey was widely used and recommended until the mid-1980s, when reports began to surface about the possibility of liver damage from the pyrrolizidine alkaloids that some plants contain. In 2001, the FTC and FDA combined to issue an injunction against products containing comfrey that were meant for internal use.
This view has been countered by herbalists, who state that common comfrey, the plant most often used for medicinal purposes, contains only negligible amounts of those alkaloids. In fact, one laboratory study of three different sources of comfrey found no pyrrolizidine in one sample, and only negligible amounts in the other two. Still, many herbalists recommend that comfrey preparations should not be taken internally because of the possibility of liver disease and damage. Comfrey should also not be used by pregnant or nursing women.
Another Point of view
Excerpts from
The ABC Herbal
One of the best of all tissue healing herbs is Comfrey. We have soaked injured areas in Comfrey tea, taken Comfrey internally and applied it in poultices with excellent results. It helps all kinds of tissues, muscles, bones, skin and membranes to help more rapidly.
Once when I had a sore foot I just made up a big tub of Comfrey tea and soaked my foot in Comfrey tea as hot as I could stand for about 20 minutes. This did the trick, the swelling and pain subsided and did not return. We also make Comfrey salve in our family to aid in healing minor abrasions, diaper rash, chapped lips and so forth.
Excerpts from The How to Herb Book
Comfrey has a strong history of being used as an external application by itself or in poultices for the mending of wounds and broken bones. Comfrey has been called the ““bone knitter.””
Another study by Daniel O. Noorlander using Comfrey on streptococcus agalactia and staphylococcal bacteria, showed that when Comfrey extract (tincture) was introduced topically to the bacteria, within 20 to 30 minutes the walls of the bacteria cells weakened and then burst, destroying the bacteria.
Contact healer (relieves pain and starts healing on contact).
Cell proliferant (helps grow new flesh and bone.) Accelerates the healing process. The cell proliferant and active ingredient in Comfrey is called Allantoin.
Helps with pain, repairs and heals, excellent for wounds, burns, cuts and abrasions and broken bones, high in calcium.
Reduces the inflammation of pulled tendons.
Extract (tincture) used topically for acne and athletes foot.
Used for female problems. Comfrey tea and extract has been used as a douche for yeast infections. Poultices applied to sore and caked breasts, helps the tenderness leave very quickly.
High in calcium and vitamin C. Contains carotene (vitamin A), B12, and chlorophyll.
When Comfrey extract was applied to mosquito bites, the itching stopped immediately and the swelling went down.
Has been used in the following:
Acne
Allergies
Arthritis
Athlete’’s foot
Baths for sores
Bed sores
Bowels, ulcerated
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises
Burns
Bursitis
Cold sores
Congestion
Coughs
Digestion
Douches
Emphysema
Female problems
Fomenations
Fractures
Gangrene
Gout
Hay fever
Herpes
Infections
Insect bites, stings
Itching
Lungs
Mouthwash
Mucous membranes
Pain
Poultice
Skin
Sores
Swellings
Vaginal douche
Wounds
Yeast infection
Case History
D. cut himself on the finger with an aluminum can lid. The wound was very deep, almost to the bone. He applied fresh Comfrey poultices to the wound daily. The wound healed completely in 2-3 days.
Excerpts from Nutritional Herbology
Comfrey was strictly used externally until the early 1800’’s when Western herbalists began using it internally. In the 1800’’s, it was used solely as a poultice for bone knitting, fractures, or as a pomade in the treatment of cuts, burns, skin ulcers, varicose veins, bronchitis, and rheumatism.
It is also reputed to possess the ability to knit bones together as well. This reputation has undoubtedly accounted for many of the common names (boneset, nipbone, knitbone, healing herb) by which this herb is known.
The leaf has been utilized in a decoction, which is gargled or used as a mouthwash to relieve throat infections, hoarseness, and bleeding gums. Externally, Comfrey has been used in poultice form to treat wounds, bruises, sores and insect bites. The mucilage is believed to soften the skin when used in baths.
Comfrey leaves and shoots are also used as a vegetable and are often ground up in a blender or some other type of mechanical device to form the basis of ““green drinks”” which have become increasingly popular among health conscious individuals.
Comfrey is primarily used by Western herbalists to treat internal (duodenal and gastric) and external ulcers. In addition, it functions as an astringent, demulcent, emollient, hemostat, expectorant and cell proliferant (wound healing).
Comfrey is used in the treatment of colitis, varicose veins, assorted pulmonary complaints (pleurisy, bronchitis, bronchopneumonia), rheumatism, metritis, diarrhea, and periostitis. It is utilized as a diuretic and bulk laxative and is credited with scar healing and sedative properties. A decoction of the rhizome is still used in Europe as a gargle for pharyngitis and tonsillitis.
Contains mucilaginous compounds that decrease the thickness while increasing the production of mucosal fluid. These compounds increase the productions of digestive fluids, decrease bowel transit time and absorb toxins from the bowel. Comfrey also contains astringent compounds that soothe inflamed tissue. It is an excellent source of allantoin, which promotes healing. Comfrey has been used to treat colitis, weak digestion, bronchitis, rheumatism, diarrhea, and inflammatory skin conditions.
Excerpts from Practical Herbalism
Well known in ancient times, Culpeper says of this wonderful healer, ““The great Comfrey helps those that spit blood, or make a bloody urine. The root boiled in water or wine, and the decoction drank, helps all inward hurts, bruises, wounds, and ulcers of the lungs, and causes the phlegm that oppresses them to be readily spit forth. It is said to be so powerful to knit together (wounds and broken bones), that if the root be boiled with dissevered pieces of flesh in a pot, it will join them together again.”” Priest & Priest tell us that it is a soothing demulcent, gently stimulating to the mucous membranes, allay irritation and encourages cell growth. It increases expectoration and tones the bronchi, especially suitable for conditions involving capillary hemorrhage or excessive mucous. They give the following specific indications: coughs and colds, gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastro-intestinal inflammation, congealed or stagnant blood, pruritus ani, chronic suppurative ulcerations, bruised and damaged joints, damaged muscles or pulled tendons, delayed union of fractures, and traumatic injury to the eye. Ellingwood recommends it from bronchial irritation, pneumonia, inflammation of the stomach, and as being useful in all hurts and bruises both internal and external.
Indicated Usages: Internal
Arthritis
Asthma
Blood purifier
Broken bones
Bronchitis
Cough, pertussis
Diarrhea, dysentery
Emphysema
Gall bladder
Hemorrhage
Inflamed kidneys
Inflammation
Irritable bowel, Colitis
Osteoporosis, Calcium deficiency
Indicated Usages: External
Boils, old sores
Bruises
Burns, scalds
Diaper rash
Eczema, psoriasis
Sprains
Special Considerations:
Care should be taken when using Comfrey with very deep wounds as its rapid healing power can lead to tissue forming over the wound before it is healed deeper down, possibly leading to abscesses. Make sure that wounds are thoroughly cleaned and protected from infection.
From Our Reading and/or Experience...
We use Comfrey often in tea and tincture combinations for a wide variety of internal and external physical needs. Of course, it can be used in many other types of remedies. For instance, it can easily be made into powder, and used in capsules.
Comfrey is a contact healer. As such, it is essential for emergency situations to stop itching, reduce inflammation, kill infection, mend broken bones, speed the healing of burns and any broken skin, etc. Basically, along with Cayenne, and Plantain, Comfrey is a must in case of physical injuries.
It can be used to benefit anyone: men, women (including before, during or after pregnancy, and nursing), children and animals.
It can be used as often as you would like, and in any way you choose.
As is the case with most herbs, Comfrey should be stored in a dark, dry, and cool place.
From Our Mailbox
Three weeks ago, I fell and broke my left arm in two places. One break is low, near my elbow. The other is high, in the area of my shoulder. A few days after my fall, I was reading NGJ and found the article "When the rubber missed the Road." I began using the Comfrey and aloe on the area. WOW!! The bruising started healing in 24 hours. I couldn't see some bruising on and below my elbow, so it didn't receive the treatment. It is still very purple. Two days ago, I started treating it and I am amazed at the improvement. Besides healing the bruised areas, I have been in little to no pain. The Dr. cannot believe how quickly I am healing. Thank you!!!
~Michelle C.
Customer Reviews
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Comfrey
by Nickie on Nov 8, 2006
My husband recently tore a ligament in his knee. The ligament was completely severed. I made a poultice from the dried comfrey leaves and applied it nightly to the injured knee. The pain quickly left and the "looseness" that came from the ligament being torn slowly went away. His bad knee is feeling better than his good one! I also followed your recipe for muscle rubs using the comfrey and have experienced wonderful results. For example- I applied it to my wrist that had been aching for days and in the morning there wasn't any pain. Thank you for offering your products at such a reasonable price, but more than that , thank you for such an excellent resource full of information on various herbs. Your web site has been a blessing!