The Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is a herb that has been used for hundreds of years in alternative medicine. It’s most commonly known as an external remedy for bruises, sprains, and other injuries due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Comfrey also has a long history of use internally to support healthy digestion and relieve symptoms such as bloating, gas, and indigestion.
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Synonym
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is generally known as common comfrey, true comfrey. English names include Quaker comfrey, boneset, cultivated comfrey, consound, knitbone, and slippery-root.
Habitat
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. It is a flowering perennial herb that grows in damp or wet places, such as ditches, near rivers, and lakeshores.
The comfrey also grows well in shady woodland conditions if there is some light at ground level and wildflowers grow near its roots for pollination purposes.
Description
It is a perennial herb and has long fleshy roots. It grows in wet habitats such as the margins of lakes and ponds. The leaves are oval-shaped with toothed edges that grow up to one feet (30 cm) long on stems growing up to 3 feet (91 cm). They can be either green or purple in color, though they usually have some mixture of both colors throughout each leaf.
Flowers come out at the top of an erect stem when it reaches about two inches high (.06 meters). It blooming from June to August and producing white flowers with four pointed petals around .12 inches wide (.32 centimeters).
Part used
The aerial parts (leaves and flowers) of the plant are used in herbal medicine.
The leaves are harvested during summer or early autumn before flowering then dried for later use. Fresh roots can also be used when available.
Traditional Uses and Benefits
It has a long history of use as a wound herb. This is likely because it contains allantoin, which stimulates cell and tissue growth, accelerates healing, and relieves pain – making comfrey one of the best herbs for healing cuts, wounds, and other problems around joints or bones.
Since ancient times, Symphytum officinale has been used to treat coughs, broken bones, skin ulcers, and digestive problems.
It also speeds up the removal of dead cells from ulcers on skin surfaces, soothes irritated tissues inside the mouth and throat (expectorant), and helps protect against infection with its high concentration of antioxidants that fight free radicals.
Comfrey has anti-inflammatory properties that make it an excellent herb to use while recovering from injury or after surgery when inflammation can be a problem.
It helps reduce pain and speeds up healing time by reducing swelling and encouraging cell growth during tissue repair. Comfrey can help relieve arthritis symptoms such as stiffness and joint pain due to its ability to decrease inflammation in joints without affecting flexibility.
The leaves can be chewed to relieve toothache, while the roots can be consumed like tea for stomach aches caused by cramps or bloating.
Comfrey can be taken orally as a tea or tincture, rubbed on joints like an ointment, or brewed into a bath to relieve some types of arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.
Comfrey is a plant that can be used for gum disease treatment and prevention. It contains the extract of allantoin, which helps stimulate circulation in gums and oral tissues.
Comfrey is used as a superior astringent for hemorrhages and to stop diarrhea. It has an action on the uterine muscles that can be helpful in childbirth and also controls heavy menstrual bleeding by contracting the uterus.
Comfrey is great for things like stomach problems, ulcers, and diarrhea.
Comfrey is one of the most popular herbs and has been used for centuries to heal ligaments, pulled muscles, bruises, and strains.
How To Use
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is generally prepared as a poultice, which means it should be applied to the skin in thick layers that can be wrapped or kept loose.
It is best if the leaves are chopped up first before boiling them into the ointment.
The plant’s root and flower can also be used, though they will require additional preparation such as boiling down with vinegar until thick enough to spread on wounds.
Dosage and Precautions
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is typically taken orally at a dose of 250-500mg three times daily.
As a tincture, take a dropperful (30-60 drops) two or three times daily.
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is typically taken in capsule, tablet, or tincture form. It should be taken for a minimum of two weeks to see desired effects.
Warnings: Use with caution in patients who have asthma, hiatal hernia, or gastric ulcers. Use under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional when pregnant or breastfeeding.
Comfrey is not recommended for long-term use as it may cause liver damage. It should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to its potential risk of excessive bleeding that could lead to death.
I hope you find these common herbs helpful!
References
- Symphytum officinale – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphytum_officinale
- COMFREY: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions …. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-295/comfrey
- Uses, Risks, and Takeaways. https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-comfrey
- ComfreyCream: Benefits, Side Effects, Dosage, and …. https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-benefits-of-comfrey-ointment-88624
- ComfreyFacts and Health Benefits. https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/comfrey/
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