What are the medicinal properties of comfrey?
Comfrey roots and leaves contain allantoin, a substance that helps new skin cells grow, along with other substances that reduce inflammation and keep skin healthy. Comfrey ointments have been used to heal bruises as well as pulled muscles and ligaments, fractures, sprains, strains, and osteoarthritis.
What are the side effects of comfrey?
Common side effects of comfrey include:
- abdominal distension.
- abdominal pain.
- loss of appetite.
- lack of energy.
- liver enlargement.
- decreased urine output.
- obstruction of small veins in the liver (veno-occlusive disease)
Why is comfrey called knitbone?
Comfrey was once commonly called Knitbone because of its amazing ability to heal broken bones and “knit” them back together again. The botanical name, Symphytum, means “to unite.”
How many types of comfrey are there?
Common comfreyComfreySymphytum tuberosumSymphytum asperumSymphytum caucasicum
Symphytum/Lower classifications
Can humans eat comfrey?
When taken by mouth: Comfrey is LIKELY UNSAFE for anyone when taken by mouth. It contains chemicals (pyrrolizidine alkaloids, PAs) that can cause liver damage, lung damage, and cancer. The FDA has recommended that all oral comfrey products be removed from the market.
Is comfrey good for pain?
Summary. Comfrey cream, an herbal remedy, is thought to reduce inflammation and pain when applied to the skin. Researchers have found it does seem to reduce pain in some conditions, including back pain, osteoarthritis, and ankle sprains.
Is comfrey poisonous?
However, comfrey also contains several pyrrolizidine alkaloids (symphytine, echimidine, symglandine and lycopsamine) which are toxic and capable of causing sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (previously called veno-occlusive disease) and severe liver injury.
Does comfrey heal bones?
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) acts as an anti-inflammatory to promote healing of bruises, sprains, and open wounds when applied topically. The roots and leaves of this plant contain the protein allantoin, which stimulates cell proliferation and promote wound and bone healings.
Does comfrey actually work?
Early research shows that applying comfrey ointment to the affected area for up to 2 weeks improves mobility, decreases pain, and reduces tenderness and swelling of sprains. The effect of comfrey ointment in relieving pain and reducing swelling seems to be comparable to the effects of diclofenac gel.
Which is the best comfrey?
Garden comfrey has a higher nutrient content than the common wild comfrey, and its leaves can be cut several times in a season. Our research found that the ‘Bocking 14’ variety is the best.
Can you eat comfrey?
Does comfrey contain B12?
Comfrey is also rich in many nutrients including protein, antioxidant vitamins, and vitamin B12 (Rode, 2002).
Is comfrey good for arthritis pain?
Comfrey herb has also been shown to be efficacious in wound healing. Comfrey root has also proven to be efficacious in activated osteoarthritis, and equivalent or more efficacious in distortions compared with topical diclofenac.
Is comfrey good for joints?
The Claim: Lotion made from the flowering comfrey plant is a natural way to ease muscle and joint pain. The Verdict: Several scientific studies suggest comfrey is effective for back pain, ankle sprains and knee osteoarthritis. One study even found it hastened healing of abrasions.
Is it OK to drink comfrey tea?
Is comfrey good for skin?
Comfrey is considered to be an essential anti-aging ingredient, because it contains both allantoin and rosmarinic acid. Allantoin promotes the growth of new skin cells and rosmarinic acid acts as a painkiller and reduces inflammation. Comfrey softens skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Is comfrey good for lungs?
When taken by mouth: Comfrey is LIKELY UNSAFE for anyone when taken by mouth. It contains chemicals (pyrrolizidine alkaloids, PAs) that can cause liver damage, lung damage, and cancer.
Does comfrey really work?
According to the same research review, results also suggested that comfrey can help treat osteoarthritis, as well as some injuries, such as ankle sprains. A study reported in Phytotherapy Research also suggests that creams containing comfrey root can help relieve upper and lower back pain.
How long does comfrey take to work?
You needn’t be too precise! Press the leaves down firmly so they are covered with water, and cover the container. After 4-6 weeks a noxious (very) smelly brown liquid is ready for use.
What does comfrey smell like?
This excellent fertiliser for flowering plants requires extreme levels of caution because it gives off an overpowering smell of rotting flesh.
Does comfrey have vitamin B12?
Is comfrey high in iron?
The same reason comfrey is so prolific in the garden is the reason why it makes a good fertilizer. It’s high in nitrogen, potassium, calcium, and magnesium as well as iron micronutrients.
Can comfrey heal broken bones?
Uses of Comfrey
It has long been used to treat muscle sprains, joint inflammation, broken bones, and bruises. In fact, this comfrey compress remedy speeds up the healing of broken bones in 1/3 of the regular time while also strengthening the bones during that healing process.
Is comfrey good for knee pain?
Conclusion. Both active topical comfrey formulations were effective in relieving pain and stiffness and in improving physical functioning and were superior to placebo in those with primary osteoarthritis of the knee without serious adverse effects.
Can comfrey help with knee pain?
Forty patients suffering from knee joint injuries, sprains and bruises were treated with ointment containing comfrey extract, achieving a significant reduction of pain (pain at rest and on movement) and swelling. The mobility of the affected joint increased significantly.