Comfrey is a perennial herb related to forget-me-not and borage.Also known as Bruisewort and Knitbone, comfrey has earned an entry in every Materia Medica written since the 15th century, although it's been in use for much longer. While old-timers still use the roots in external applications, modern complementary and herbal medicine practitioners recommend using the leaves only. Start Crowns Indoors. Some studies show the leaf to be almost alkaloid free -- thus safe. Wrap it with cloth or a bandage to hold it in place. Comfrey is a shrub that grows in parts of Europe, Asia, and North America. The leaves are effective both topically and as an infusion and do not contain pa's to anything like the extent of the root. Herbal salves keep 1-2 years in a cool dark place. Use comfrey root in sachets for protection while traveling, and to keep your lover faithful while you are gone. Comfrey is a perennial plant which divides easily. Folk recipes mention using comfrey root tea to cure stomach upset and eating comfrey leaves fresh or cooked as a general tonic. Well Dan, the point is what is your agenda? The roots can be boiled down and then spread onto muslin which is wrapped around the broken limb. How to Make a Salve or Poultice With Comfrey. What is Comfrey? In recent years the medicinal herb comfrey has, if not exactly withered under the microscope of modern science, at least shriveled slightly. Use comfrey leaves for mulch; their broad leaves cover a wide area. Herbalist Lesley Bremness suggests soaking comfrey leaves in water to use as compost “tea,” which adds needed potassium to mineral-poor soil, as well as potato and tomato plants. When we moved to the new Raven's Roots campus in November of 2015, I brought one particular plant along with me in large quantities, and it was comfrey. If it is hard to understand how one simple, easy to grow and easy to apply plant can be so widely useful in healing, remember that penicillin’s supporters have made some pretty broad claims for the mold on oranges. Below the ground long, thin taproots extend as far down as 10 feet. Recipe 2: four tablespoons of nicely chopped comfrey root are mixed with some boiling milk in a small bowl.Then, put the bowl on medium heat, and let it simmer until you get nice mixture. In other words, it makes cells grow faster. Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). Generally speaking, the root has higher levels of these molecules than the leaves. Common comfrey (Symphytum officianale) and Russian Comfrey (S. uplandicum) are fast-growing leafy plants that are considered invasive in some areas.They spread rapidly, and are incredibly difficult to control because new plants can sprout from even tiny sections of root left in the soil. Comfrey plants can be somewhat invasive; keep them away from easily-overwhelmed flowers and herbs. On the other hand, some herbalists claim that they have either taken or recommended comfrey internally for extended periods of time with no problems, and therefore their experience tells them comfrey is safe. Even though this plant contains poisonous chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), some people use the leaf, root, and root-like stem (rhizome) to make medicine. Therefore, herbalists recommend topical comfrey products for a wide range of uses, including facial creams, bruise ointments and muscle pain salves. Additionally, both contain the substance allantoin, which is associated with cell regeneration. Comfrey. Wholesale/Bulk & Retail - Worldwide Shipping! It has a tap root similar to dandelions. You can make a comfrey poultice with the leaf or the root. I answered the original posters question - you are scaremongering. All cases involve comfrey; in at least three, there are suggestions of overdose or abuse of the plant. Comfrey is even believed to help decrease inflammation of tendon sheaths (Tilgner, 2018), supporting its use for joint sprains. Whether astride a horse in Provence, climbing a volcano in Costa Rica, taking a jet plane to New Zealand, or just spending a quiet day in my gardens, I am never without my herbal first-aid kit. Comfrey is available under the following different brand names: Black Root, Blackwort, Bruisewort, Common Comfrey, Gum Plant, Healing herb, Knitbone, Prickley Comfrey, Salsify, Slippery Root, Symphytum officinale, and Wallwort. Put the mixture on a towel and apply it on the broken bone area, and make sure you won’t tight it … Comfrey is a natural ingredient, that means that it is a huge MIXTURE of lots of different ingredients. Previously, she served as a communication specialist in the nonprofit field. A strong decoction has been used on the Continent for tanning leather, and in Angora a sort of glue is got from the common Comfrey, which is used for spinning the famous fleeces of that country. Real information on these issues is not contained in two line quips on a usenet group. A soothing salve or poultice made from the leaves of the comfrey plant may promote the healing of closed wounds and bruises or soothe breast pain in nursing mothers, reports the Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine 2 3. Date: 27 May 1995 23:04:09 +0100. So, it is with that background that i ask for your input on a critical permaculture issue: embracing comfrey. The long roots pull deeply-buried soil minerals from the subsoil to the top, making it available to other plants, according to Hemenway. Comfrey Root Vs. Comfrey Leaves. Learn More. The plants are very large, easily reaching 5 feet in height and up to 4 feet in width with leaves 12 to 18 inches in length. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Comfrey has been used for over 2,000 years in Chinese medicine to heal wounds and bones. Comfrey root was blamed. Taken internally as decoction (boiled root tea), comfrey is described as effective against tuberculosis, internal tumors and ulcers, and promotes the healing of bone fractures. Many herbalists still prefer the roots to the leaves because the roots contribute more skin-soothing mucilage. This remedy can be made with comfrey leaves or comfrey root, or a combination of the two. The leafy stem of comfrey is 2 to 3 feet high, stout, and covered with bristly hairs. Therapeutic Research Center. Both the roots and leaves of comfrey help in organic gardening. Because comfrey plants grow so rapidly, feel free to harvest the leaves several times a season. Comfrey is almost TOO good at what it does best… and there is another pretty big catch you should be aware of… WHY YOU SHOULD AVOID COMFREY. Some varieties produce yellow or purplish flowers alongside the broad, fuzzy leaves. The root contains 10-1000 times more Pyrrolizidine alkaloids than the leaves. As it happens, noone jumped onto the comfrey bandwagon, perhaps because of my advance warning, or perhaps I needn't have bothered. I like to also add one teaspoon of DMSO. WHICH plant, I don't know. This can help stop germ build-up that may be responsible for causing infections. Distribution and Habitat: Comfrey is a plant indigenous to Europe and temperate parts of Asia. Information about Comfrey leaf constituents presented as an equivalent to alcohol/tobacco masquerading under the freedom of informed choice ( as used by all trendy ultra conservatives) amounts to guilt by association - a standard tactic of what I call scaremongering. ---Parts Used Medicinally---The root and leaves, generally collected from wild plants. Copyright © 2021 Leaf Group Ltd., all rights reserved. Add just enough water to turn it into a thick, wet paste, not too runny and not too dry. There are also disagreements about the efficacy & safety of leaves vs. root. The leaves and roots of comfrey both contain compounds that reduce inflammation. Comfrey has a long tap root, making it drought resistant. Spread the thick mixture approximately ¼ inch thick on the cloth and leave about 1 inch of cloth around the border. That makes using comfrey oil on your skin safe, as long as it’s not put on open wounds or sores. The leaves of comfrey can get enormous and can easily be chopped and dropped around either itself or other plants growing nearby, covering a lot of bare soil. 9. A layer of wilted comfrey can be … The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has banned the use of comfrey in herbal supplements since 2001. Integrative Medicine. Comfrey contains a special substance called allantoin, which is a cell proliferative. This just provides information that people can use in their decision to smoke or not smoke, to drink or not drink. Tobacco and alcohol consumption is perpetuated by international corporations with huge fiscal benefits to the governments involved etc etc The extent of the toxicity/carcinogenicity of tobacco/alcohol would otherwise have lead to withdrawl from public availability long ago. The leaves are effective both topically and as an infusion and … The long roots pull deeply-buried soil minerals from the subsoil to the top, making it available to other plants, according to Hemenway. It is native to much of Europe, and various regions in Asia such as the Caucasus, Kazakhstan, Siberia, and Turkey, and is commonly found as a weed in temperate northern latitudes. The roots of leaves of the comfrey plant contain chemical substances called allantoin and rosmarinic acid. February 2012. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.4612. Comfrey is a perennial plant that propagates easily from root divisions. Taken internally as decoction (boiled root tea), comfrey is described as effective against tuberculosis, internal tumors and ulcers, and promotes the healing of bone fractures. Fortunately, these alkaloids are not easily absorbed by the skin [7] . Comfrey Root Alcohol-Free Liquid Extract, Organic Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) Dried Root Tincture Supplement (4 FL OZ) 4.5 out of 5 stars 12. $29.97 $ 29. Recommended Products. Cuts of comfrey fresh or wilted can be laid onto the compost heap, layered with the weeds or grass cuttings. Much debate surrounds the safety of comfrey due to various parts … Take 3-4 tablespoons of comfrey root powder (root powder works much better than comfrey leaves as there are more alkaloids inside the root) Put comfrey root powder into a small bowl. Comfrey leaves can be crushed, juiced, and applied as a wet paste directly on open wounds and diabetic sores. Comfrey tea is prepared by steeping the dried leaves of the comfrey plant, which bears the scientific name Symphytum officinale. Comfrey poultices should be left in place for several hours (overnight is ideal). Doctors give trusted answers on uses, effects, side-effects, and cautions: Dr. Werner on comfrey root vs comfrey leaves: Just a common sense: Stay away from strange substance while breast feeding. Comfrey is available under the following different brand names: Black Root, Blackwort, Bruisewort, Common Comfrey, Gum Plant, Healing herb, Knitbone, Prickley Comfrey, Salsify, Slippery Root, Symphytum officinale, and Wallwort. Read my notes in the FAQ for a starter. https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/comfrey, Comfrey. Finally, “Gaia’s Garden” author Toby Hemenway notes that comfrey’s long tap roots also come to the aid of the organic gardener by loosening clay soil 2. Comfrey’s long tap root helps it to be a pretty drought-tolerant herb, allowing it to keep large leaves all season long. Comfrey side effects. When boiled down, comfrey forms a glue-like substance which is why it was so effective at stopping bleeding, it literally glues wounds together. Comfrey grows best from bare-root crowns, which many online retailers carry. Yet we now know that taking comfrey internally can damage the liver. While both comfrey leaf and root are well known for their mucilage content and associated demulcent action, the root is more demulcent than the leaf. The herb book I have says the beneficial part of the plant are the roots; I was wondering if the leaves have any properties as well. Michigan Medicine. An added bonus you will get from planting comfrey under your tree, is that you’ll creating a “micro-climate”. Comfrey is even believed to help decrease inflammation of tendon sheaths (Tilgner, 2018), supporting its use for joint sprains. (This is a climate that differs from the surrounding area.) It just allows people to begin thinking about weighing the benefits of comfrey use against the risks. University of Michigan https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/d04502a1, Comfrey. You not only CAN use the leaves, but SHOULD do so. If you’re making your own comfrey salve, UMMC strongly recommends using only older leaves. Only 16 left in stock - order soon. This root is black on the outside, while its juicy interior is white, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). >I have a healthy crop of comfrey, courtesy of a friend, growing in my garden. Natural Medicines Database. There are also disagreements about the efficacy & safety of leaves vs. root. I can appreciate the importance of a compostable bioaccumulator with deep roots able to extract or recover deep minerals. Common Names: Blackwort, bruisewort, common comfrey, knitbone, slippery root, boneset, yalluc, gum plant, ass ear. Comfrey is associated with Saturn and water and is sacred to Hecate. From: jtreasure.jonno.demon.co.uk (Jonathan Treasure), >If one promptly died from drinking comfrey leaf tea, there would be less. Grow comfrey for a season and then pull it up to turn the soil. It can grow up to 5 feet tall. This is a chemical that has been scientifically proven to be toxic to the liver in high enough amounts. The younger leaves and roots contain higher amounts of the dangerous pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can be absorbed through skin. > (BTW - Ignore any posts that follow from the resident afh scaremongers. Douglas has worked as a staff reporter for the Lakeville Journal newspaper group. However, one study compared the healing abilities of a water extract of comfrey root vs. pure allantoin and concluded that, “the biological activity of the comfrey root extract cannot be attributed only to allantoin, but is also likely the result of the interaction of different compounds present in AECR [aqueous extract of the comfrey (Symphytum officinale L.) root].” 16 It is especially known for its ability to knit bones together. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=295, Staiger, Christiane. Crowns do best if you pot them first instead of planting directly in the garden. It can be found in ointments, decoctions, poultices … "The Complete Book of Herbs"; Lesley Bremness; 1988, "Gaia's Garden: Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture;" Tobey Hemenway; 2001. The shrub-like comfrey herb grows up to 5 feet tall, with broad leaves and dozens of small blue, white or purple flowers adorning each plant. I would recommend the leaves if you’re going to make a tea. It is important to know what part of the plant is usable medicinally and for comfrey, it is the leaves and the root. As an Amazon … But roots may also hold as much as 16 times the level of the alkaloids, warns UMMC. Comfrey. Due to the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, comfrey leaf is limited to topical uses today but should not be applied to open wounds. In the compost pile, comfrey leaves help speed the decomposition of tree leaves, grass clippings and other organic materials. Comfrey Botanical Profile. Comfrey leaves have many medicinal properties; they are rough textured and covered in … Comfrey leaf has been used since Roman times, dating back thousands of years. Comfrey is useful in healing sprains, bruises and promotes healing of bones. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Milton Hershey Medical Center. Comfrey is a perennial plant that propagates easily from root divisions. As a permaculturist, I strive for diversity in my gardens and out of the hundred or so species that we are currently growing, comfrey is far and away the most useful plant of them all. Not only does it look beautiful and therefore can be grown just for ornamental purposes, but it's also easy to grow, so keep reading to learn how to grow comfrey & care for it! Comfrey flowers are downward facing bells like borage flowers and range in color from lavender to cream. The best part about it is that comfrey can be chopped and dropped numerous times throughout the … ... comfrey leaf comfrey root powder The common comfrey plant is known in Latin as Symphytum officinale and displays a “hairy” exterior. Cut or fold a clean soft cloth large enough to cover the bruise or the wound with a couple of extra inches around the edges. Dosages of Comfrey: Historically daily doses of leaf ranged from 5 … For over 2,000 years, comfrey root and other parts of the herb have been used to treat a variety of ailments. It can be found in ointments, decoctions, poultices … Can I Eat the Russian Sage Growing in My Garden? 2004;7(7):919-24. Comfrey leaves and roots are rich in tannins, a kind of compound that has an astringent effect on blood vessels. In humans, use of comfrey for as little as 5 days (in children) or 19 days (in adults) has resulted in severe liver damage and death. Oberlies NH, Kim NC, Brine DR, et al. Therefore, applying a poultice made of comfrey root powder and leaf juice, or drinking tea made of comfrey root powder can greatly help in curing nosebleeds, bleeding in skin wounds, and in reducing and speeding the healing of bruises. Both the roots and leaves of comfrey help in organic gardening. In the compost pile, comfrey leaves help speed the decomposition of tree leaves, grass clippings and other organic materials. This is the biggest difference between natural vs… This is why you should avoid using comfrey root at all, since it has ten times more pyrrolizidine alkaloids than the leaves. Comfrey is so rich that it can be used as if it was manure to activate a slow compost heap. Externally, roots is used to gargle or mouthwash for gum diseases, strep throat and pharyngitis. The drugs were not considered as possibilities. The compounds in comfrey’s leaves and roots--pyrrolizidine alkaloids--are toxic and may damage the liver, cautions UMMC. The internal use of roots is helpful for gastrointestinal ulcers and gastritis. When you receive your crown, check to make sure that it feels firm. Comfrey is especially useful in the external treatment of cuts, bruises, sprains, sores, eczema, varicose veins, broken bones etc, internally it is used in the treatment of a wide range of pulmonary complaints, internal bleeding etc. Origin - Organically Grown, USA Overview - Comfrey is widely known as “one of nature’s greatest medicinal herbs”, and has appeared in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia, as well as in herbals and compendiums around the world. By default both of these usually become scaremongering contributors. About Herbs & Other Products. Some varieties produce yellow or purplish flowers alongside the broad, fuzzy leaves. Comfrey Leaf Also Known As -Symphytum officinale, Bruisewort, Knitback, Knitbone, Boneset, Slippery Root, Bruisewort, Ass Ear, and Blackwort. It grows as a root stick with branches coming from the stalk and only gets to about 2–3 feet tall. A mushy crown may have rotted and should be returned. Comfrey tea is a traditional herbal medicine used by people when they have taken a bad fall. Warning the public that tobacco can cause cancer or that alcohol is a potential liver toxin does not make us scaremongers. I hope to avoid being burned as a heretic. Although not all side effects are known, comfrey is thought to be possibly safe when applied to unbroken skin for less than 10 days. The herb comfray has a multitude of uses, especially medicinal, and can make a great addition to any garden. Comfrey Botanical Profile. It has had various uses, not only as a medicinal herb but also as food and drink. Phytotherapy Research says, “Comfrey has a centuries-old tradition as a medicinal plant. Healing Bruises And Bleeding. Some herbalists recommend comfrey with precautions, such as only using the mature leaf internally (never the root) and for short periods of time. Etymology The name “Comfrey” is derived from the Latin con ferva, “with strength.” The genus name Symphytum, derives from the Greek symphytis, “grow together,” and phyton “plant.” Also known as: (English) blackwort, gum plant, bruisewort, knitbone, nipbone, slippery root, walwort, woundwort. If one promptly died from drinking comfrey leaf tea, there would be less controversy concerning its use. A sterile cultivar is frequently planted in gardens, somewhat reducing the probability of escape, although it easily spreads from root fragments. Newsgroups: alt.folklore.herbs Because comfrey plants grow so rapidly, feel free to harvest the leaves several times a season. Take 3-4 tablespoons of comfrey root powder (root powder works much better than comfrey leaves as there are more alkaloids inside the root) Put comfrey root powder into a small bowl. It grows best when well-watered, however. Comfrey (Symphytum officinale. Roots are used as an … The common comfrey plant is known in Latin as Symphytum officinale and displays a “hairy” exterior. This herb has been utilized in folk medicine throughout Europe and North America and has been widely cultivated. Dosages of Comfrey: Historically daily doses of leaf ranged from 5 … Common comfrey is found escaped from cultivation in all New England states. Its use as a medicinal herb is controversial as it is known to contain toxic alkaloids. You use the term US I notice? Comfrey as a Compost Activator. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Comfrey leaves are sometimes found as an adulteration to Foxglove leaves, which they somewhat resemble, but may be distinguished by the smaller veins not extending into the wings of the leaf-stalk, and by having on their surface isolated stiff hairs. The root has much more of the toxic chemicals than the leaf; Comfrey leaves contain about 0.06% alkaloids, and roots about 0.2 to 0.4%” . Comfrey is best used for treating broken bones, damaged ligaments, and tendons, and healing small wounds. Folk recipes mention using comfrey root tea to cure stomach upset and eating comfrey leaves fresh or cooked as a general tonic. 97 ($7.49/Fl Oz) Get it as soon as Thu, Jan 14. I like to also add one teaspoon of DMSO. The leaves of this plant have been in use for thousands of years, both in Chinese traditional medicine and dating as far back as the ancient Greeks. Penn State Hershey. It transpires that many of these people believe they are correctly informing fellow readers, whilst a minority are reductionist pharmacists of one sort or another , explicitly opposed to phytotherapy as unscientific etc etc. You can follow some tips from Healthtap doctors for breast feeding. However, health officials now strongly discourage any internal use of comfrey. Comfrey is most commonly taken as a tea, a tincture or a poultice. Crush or powder the plant material and mix with water to form a paste. Add just enough water to turn it into a thick, wet paste, not too runny and not too dry. Henriette's herbal is one of the oldest and largest herbal medicine sites on the net. You can use the leaf and the root, fresh or dried. You can plant it once and have this very valuable plant forever. Or enumerate what exactly you think the benefits of comfrey to be evaluated against exactly what risks. Drink plenty of fluid and rest. The root has much more of the toxic chemicals than the leaf; Comfrey leaves contain about 0.06% alkaloids, and roots about 0.2 to 0.4%” . Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.. All parts of the plant can be used including the root, leaves, stems and flowers. Generally speaking eat a healthy diet. 10. The younger leaves and roots contain higher amounts of the dangerous pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can be absorbed through skin. Its use as a medicinal herb is controversial as it is known to contain toxic alkaloids. Comfrey is a plant. This video covers the basics of propagating Comfrey from roots and root cuttings. Apply this thickly and liberally to the desired area. Plant comfrey in areas that have poor soil, the plant has amazing roots that go down 8 feet or more. http://www.henriettes-herb.com - Copyright 1995–2020 Henriette Kress. The jury is still out however, so err on the safe side and use herb for internal use, not the root. Comfrey. This healing herb may be the ideal remedy to mend and soothe your aches and pains. whose agenda is to rubbish the use of herbal medicine one way or another. Comfrey roots, together with Chichory and Dandelion roots, are used to make a well-known vegetation 'Coffee,' that tastes practically the same as ordinary coffee, with none of its injurious effects. Both have medicinal properties but the root is believed to be better because it has a higher concentration of potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus and silicon. It is often grown in medicinal gardens or for use as a natural fertilizer. If you’re making your own comfrey salve, UMMC strongly recommends using only older leaves. Comfrey Leaf has been known for centuries as a healing plant. Use comfrey leaves for mulch; their broad leaves cover a wide area. Comfrey leaf has a long history of use to promote the healing of bones and wounds, ... Comfrey root is used to relieve pain from blunt injuries, promote healing of broken bones, sprains and bruises, reduce swelling and edema, and encourage the rapid and healthy regrowth of skin and tissue cells. European Medicines Agency. It happens, there are plenty of people who post advice to this newsgroup about safety and toxicity of herbal medicines who know nothing about the subject other than reading a secondary source on the matter, or worse repeating hearsay. If it is hard to understand how one simple, easy to grow and easy to apply plant can be so widely useful in healing, remember that penicillin’s supporters have made some pretty broad claims for the mold on oranges. It has been suggested that its use can be dated back to 400 B.C. To inform the public that comfrey leaves contain pa's that are both carcinogens and liver toxins does not make us scaremongers, either. Is found escaped from cultivation in all New England states only older leaves that. Which bears the scientific name Symphytum officinale -- -The root and other materials!, either only as a wet paste directly on open wounds compounds in comfrey ’ s and... Only can use the roots in external applications, modern complementary and medicine! 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And roots contain higher amounts of the plant has amazing roots that go down 8 feet or.... Tobacco can cause cancer or that alcohol is a climate that differs the... Will get from planting comfrey under your tree, is that you ’ ll creating a “ hairy ”.... 'S that are both carcinogens and liver toxins does not make us scaremongers either! Get it as soon as Thu, Jan 14 shrub that grows in parts of the alkaloids, bears...