[Symphytum officinale (LINN.)]

 Comfrey

          Warning: Internal usage of comfrey should be avoided because it contains hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) (Note, there are also non-hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Which would allow internally use of the root.). Use of comfrey can, because of these PAs, lead to veno-occlusive disease (VOD). VOD can in turn lead to liver failure, and comfrey, taken in extreme amounts, has been implicated in at least one death. In 2001, the United States Food and Drug Administration issued a warning against internal usage of herbal products containing comfrey. ^[2]     

Care should be taken with very deep wounds as the external application of Symphytum can lead to tissue forming over the wound before it has healed deeper down, leading to the possibility of an abscess. Excessive internal consumption of the root should be avoided because of the pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which have been linked by some research to liver cancer in rats.

Care should be taken that the leaves of Comfrey are not confused with the first-year leaf rosettes of Foxglove (Digitalis), with fatal results.  

—Botanical name— (Symphytum officinale L.), Russian Comfrey (Symphytum x uplandicum).  Wikipedia.org ; Symphytum officinale (LINN.)   A Modern Herbal ; (Symphytum officinale) Indian Spring Herbal Encyclopedia.

—Chinese Botanical name—

— Synonyms— Ass Ear; Blackwort; Boneset; Bruisewort Comphrey; Common Comfrey; Consolida; Consound;  Consormol; Gum Plant; Knitbone; Knitback; Slippery root; Yalluc (Saxon).

—Other species include—

(Symphytum asperum): Prickly Comfrey, Rough Comfrey (synonym: S. asperrimum)

(Symphytum bulbosum): Bulbous Comfrey

(Symphytum caucasicum): Caucasian Comfrey

(Symphytum grandiflorum): Creeping Comfrey (synonym: S. ibericum)

(Symphytum orientale): White Comfrey

(Symphytum tauricum): Crimean Comfrey

(Symphytum tuberosum): Tuberous Comfrey

(Symphytum x uplandicum): Russian Comfrey, Healing Herb, Blackwort, Bruisewort, Wallwort, Gum Plant. (S. asperum x officinale, synonym: S. peregrinum)

—Description— Comfrey was used to treat a wide variety of ailments ranging from bronchial problems, broken bones, sprains, arthritis, gastric and varicose ulcers, severe burns, ‘many female disorders', comfrey baths were popular to repair the hymen, bone and teeth building properties in children, diarrhea and dysentery, lung troubles and also for quinsy and whooping-cough, all pulmonary complaints, consumption and bleeding of the lungs, acne and other skin conditions. #

Comfrey is Anodyne, Astringent, Demulcent, Emollient, Expectorant, Hemostatic, Refrigerant, and Vulnerary.

—Parts Used— Root and leaves usually wild crafted, note do not confuse with foxglove leaves.

—Constituents— The herb contains from 0.6 to 0.8 per cent of allantoin and a little tannins, a cell proliferant that speeds up the natural replacement of body cells. Comfrey chief and most important constituents is mucilage which it contains in great abundance, more even than Marshmallow. Comfrey also contains Steroidal saponins, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, inulin, vitamin B12,  proteins calcium, potassium, phosphorus, other trace minerals, the leaves are rich in vitamins A and C and starch is present in a very small amount.

—Medicinal Action and Uses— The comfrey plant is abounds in mucilage, it is frequently given whenever a mucilaginous medicine is required and has been used like Marshmallow for intestinal troubles. It is very similar in its emollient action to Marshmallow, but in many cases is even preferred to it and is an ingredient in a large number of herbal preparations. It forms a gentle remedy in cases of diarrhea and dysentery. #

Comfrey plant has long been used in lung troubles and also for quinsy and whooping-cough. The root is used in cases of coughs. It has long been used for all pulmonary complaints, consumption and bleeding of the lungs. A strong decoction, or tea, is recommended in cases of internal haemorrhage, whether from the lungs, stomach, bowels or from bleeding piles – to be taken every two hours till the haemorrhage ceases, in severe cases, a teaspoonful of Witch Hazel extract being added to the Comfrey root tea. NOTE: Be sure to always work with a Naturopathic doctor or a Medical Doctor when hemorrhaging.

Comfrey leaves are of much value as an external remedy, both in the form of fomentations, for sprains, swellings and bruises, and as a poultice, to severe cuts, to promote suppuration of boils and abscesses, and gangrenous and ill-conditioned ulcers. The whole plant, beaten to a cataplasm and applied hot as a poultice, has always been deemed excellent for soothing pain in any tender, inflamed or suppurating part. It was formerly applied to raw, indolent ulcers as a glutinous astringent. It is useful in any kind of inflammatory swelling.

Recent American research has also shown that comfrey breaks down red blood cells, a finding that supports its use for bruises.

Internally, the leaves are taken in the form of an infusion, 1 OZ. of the leaves to 1 pint of boiling water.

—Nutrient Source— Nutritional and medicinal value seem to decrease once the plant blossoms.

—Recipe— A decoction is made by boiling 1/2 to 1 OZ. of crushed root in 1 quart of water or milk, which is taken in wineglassful doses, frequently.

—Recipe—: Comfrey roots, together with Chicory and Dandelion roots, are used to make well-known vegetation ‘Coffee,' that tastes practically the same as ordinary coffee, with none of its injurious effects.

—Recipe— Comfrey root in the form of ointment or tincture for internal or external healing.

—References— A Modern Herbal – https://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/comindx.html

—References— “Advanced Treatise in Herbology” by – Edward E. Shook, N.D., D.C.  Copyright by Wendell W. Whitman 302 E. Winona Avenue, Warsaw, IN  46580.

—References— Business Dictionare.com http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/anaerobic.html

—References— “Dicitionary.com” http://www.dictionary.com

—References— “From the Shepherd's Purse” by – Max G. Barlow, Copyright 1990, ISBN 0-9602812-0-7.

—References— Handbook of Medicinal Herbs second edition By James A. Duke with Mary Jo Bogenschutz-Godwin, Judi duCellier, Peggy-Ann K. Duke

—References— “Healing Herbal Teas” A Complete Guide to Making Delicious, Healthful Beverages.  By – Brigitte Mars, A.H.G. ISBN – 13: 978-59120-110-6 and ISBN – 10: 1-59120-110-1 Copyright 2006

—References— Henriette's Herbal Home – https://www.henriettes-herb.com/faqs/index.html

—References— “Herbal Medicine – The Natural way to Get Well and Stay Well” by – Dian Dincin Buchman, PhD, Copyright 1979, 1996, ISBN: 0-517-14767-x, Page 2, 14-17, 31, 121, 139, 145-146, 162, 165, 168, 190, 192, 193, 202, 206, 252

—Reference— Indian Spring Herbal Encyclopedia

—References— Medicine Net.com http://www.medterms.com

—References— Medical Herbalism The Science and practice of herbal medicine by David Hoffman, FNIMH, AHG, Copyright 2003, ISBN – 0-89281-749-6 

—References— “Nutritional Herbology” by – Mark Pedersen, Copyright 2008, ISBN – 10: 1-885653-07-7; ISBN – 13: 978-1-885653-07-9

—References— Planetary Herbology by – Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., Copyright 1988, ISBN – 0-941524-27-2

—References— “Prescription for Nutrition Healing” by – Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, Copyright 2006, ISBN: 1-58333-236-7.

—References— The Healing Herbs – The Ultimate Guide to the Curative Power of Nature's Medicines” by – Michael Castleman; Copyright 1991; ISBN: 0-87857-934-6; Page:  72 – 74

—References— “The Ultimate Healing System – The Illustrated Guide to Muscle Testing & Nutrition” by – Donald Lepore, N.D. Copyright 1985, ISBN: 0-94717-11560-7.

—References— WebMD http://www.webmd.com/default.htm

—References— Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia.com http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

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Generated on April 29th, 2007
Updated on August 6th, 2007
Updated on March 24, 2023