Healthy Ingredients - Comfrey

Comfrey

Symphytum officinale

Family: Boraginaceae

CTFA name: Symphytum Officinale Extract

Introduction

Comfrey is a branched perennial that grows to 2 to 4 feet with funnel-shaped blooms in summer that are purple, pink, yellow, white or cream. Native to Europe and West Asia, it is currently grown in home gardens and on riverbanks throughout England and the United States. The roots are lifted when the plant is dormant and the leaves are picked in the early summer before flowering if they are to be used medicinally.1,2,3

History and Cultural Significance

In folk medicine, comfrey was applied externally as a paste to heal wounds.4 Taken internally, it was thought to act as a blood purifier and to heal stomach ulcers. Others believed comfrey would help heal broken bones. That idea was most likely a misunderstanding that originated from the plant’s common name, knitbone.4

Traditionally the powdered root of comfrey has been applied topically to wounds, insect bites, bruises, sores; and to help stop bleeding.2 It has been used in baths to soften the skin2 and as an astringent.5 The root of comfrey was used in the past to treat bronchitis, cough, excessive menstrual flow, and diarrhea. A mouthwash or gargle made from the root of comfrey has been used for bleeding gums, throat inflammation, and hoarseness.2

The root, leaves, and extracts of comfrey can be found in various cosmetics such as hair products, lotions, creams, ointments and eyedrops.2

Modern Research

Comfrey extract has been studied for its ability to reduce pain and swelling in minor sprains when applied topically.6

Future Outlook

The future of comfrey is under much debate. Because it contains chemicals that can cause liver damage and tumors when used internally, efforts are underway to develop a comfrey that is free of those chemicals.7

References

1 Grieve M. A Modern Herbal. Vol I. New York: Dover Publications; 1971.
2 Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; 1996.
3 Bown D. The Herb Society of America New Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses. London: Dorling Kindersley Ltd; 2001.
4 Foster S, Tyler VE. Tyler’s Honest Herbal: a Sensible Guide to the Use of Herbs and Related Remedies. New York: The Haworth Herbal Press; 2000.
5 Symphytum. 2000. Available at: http://home.caregroup.org/clinical/altmed/interactions/Herbs/Symphytum.htm. Accessed February 23, 2005.
6 Koll R, Buhr M, Dieter R, Pabst H, Predel HG, Petrowicz O, et al. Efficacy and tolerance of a comfrey root extract (Extr. Rad. Symphyti) in the treatment of ankle distorsions: results of a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Phytomedicine. 2004 Sep;11(6):470-477.
7 Prairie Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. 2004. Available at: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/crop7192. Accessed February 24, 2005.

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