by Jose Juan Gutierrez

Created on: May 06, 2011

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is a member of the Boraginaceae family. The plant can be found growing in ponds and river banks, as well as low meadows, and can reach a height of 4 feet. The herb is native to Europe and Asia, although, it can be found in the present in North America. The herb is widely used in traditional medicine in poultice and compress preparations to aid in the healing of fractures, burns,

wounds, and bruises.

There are approximately 25 species of comfrey, including Russian comfrey and prickly comfrey. Allantoin, a substance that´s most related to the healing properties of comfrey, is found in the blossoming tops of the plant. Other names with which the herb is known are bruisewort, black wort, slippery root, knit bone, wall wort, gum plant, and healing herb.

Comfrey has been used medicinally for more than two thousand years as a poultice or compress preparation to help in the healing of fractures, swollen bruises, blunt injuries, carbuncles, varicose ulcers, and burns. Applied externally, comfrey can be used in the treatment of bronchitis, and pleurisy, as well as for reducing the formation of scars. Historically, comfrey was utilized internally in the treatment of gastrointestinal ailments. However, the plant contains pyrrolizine alkaloids known to be highly toxic.

The nutritional constituents of comfrey include vitamins A and B12, essential oils (omega-3 and omega-6), carotene, sugars, and the minerals potassium, calcium, and phosphorus. Comfrey can be used as a cooked vegetable, and the leaves can be added to salads. In farms, for its nutritious properties, comfrey is utilized to feed cattle. When the leaves of comfrey are soaked in rainwater, they can become a good fertilizer for the garden.

There are oil extracts and salves available in the market for external wound treatment. The crushed roots and extracted juice of comfrey are utilized to make poultices for external application. Comfrey extract is a regular ingredient in commercially prepared medicines for coughs, chest congestions, and pain relief. It is recommended to clean a wound thoroughly before application to avoid the formation of tissue over dirt particles.

 Caution should be taken when using comfrey internally, as it contains, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, substances that can damage the liver and produce cancer, even if taken in small amounts. In 2001 the U. S. Food and Drug Administration require the removal of all oral dietary products from the market.

There are no side effects known related to the external uses of comfrey, although, it is highly recommended not to use comfrey medicines externally or internally by pregnant or nursing women.  It is not recommended to apply comfrey in deep wounds, as it promotes premature healing, leading to the restoration of exterior areas before deeper ones have been healed. Always seek the guidance of your physician when starting a treatment with comfrey.

Resources:

Medical Center

Crops Manual

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