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Comfrey

Botanical Name

Symphytum Officinale

Common Name

Comfrey, knitbone, woundwort, knitback, blackwort, bruisewort, slippery root, boneset, gum plant

Family

Boraginaceae

Parts Used

Leaves, root

Native To

Europe and temperate Asia

Harvesting Guidelines

Comfrey is a hardy perennial that can be harvested several times during the growing season. To ensure the highest quality, it's best to harvest when the plant is between 12 and 18 inches tall but before it blooms. Cutting the stems about 2 inches above the ground encourages the plant to regrow. Comfrey leaves are highly moist and protein-rich, meaning they take longer to dry than other plants. For those harvesting roots, the optimal time is early spring (January through March) when the root contains the most allantoin, the active compound known for its healing properties (Staiger, 2012).

Folklore and Traditional Use

Comfrey has an extensive history of medicinal use, dating back over 2000 years. It was used by the ancient Greeks to stop bleeding, heal wounds, and treat respiratory problems. Dioscorides, the famous Greek physician, recommended it for healing broken bones and treating external injuries in the 1st century CE. During the Middle Ages, comfrey was cultivated in monastery gardens for treating wounds and bruises, helping in the healing of internal injuries.

In the 18th century, herbalist Nicholas Culpeper highlighted comfrey’s ability to soothe internal ailments like hemorrhoids, blood in the urine, and pain. In many indigenous cultures, comfrey was also a staple remedy, with the Cherokee using it to treat sprains and other skin injuries (Garrett, 2003).

There is also a magical folklore surrounding comfrey, often called "knitbone" due to its ability to promote tissue repair. The plant was believed to have protective qualities, and its leaves were sometimes used in rituals to aid in mending broken relationships or fostering growth in personal endeavors.

Modern Scientific Use

Comfrey's modern scientific applications are mostly external, where it has gained recognition for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and vulnerary (wound-healing) properties. Several studies have demonstrated its efficacy in treating skin conditions like sprains, bruises, and abscesses. One notable clinical trial by Grube et al. (2007) studied the use of a comfrey extract gel for knee osteoarthritis. The study found that after just three weeks, participants experienced a significant reduction in pain and improved mobility compared to those receiving a placebo. This suggests comfrey may be beneficial for conditions like osteoarthritis, where inflammation and pain are common concerns (Grube et al., 2007).

However, it's crucial to note that comfrey contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which have been shown to cause liver damage and are carcinogenic in laboratory animals (Mei et al., 2005). This has raised safety concerns, particularly for internal use. PAs are toxic, and many countries, including Germany, have guidelines recommending no internal use of comfrey due to potential liver damage. External applications, such as poultices, compresses, and topical ointments, remain widely used, but should be limited to short-term use (Gardner & McGuffin, 2013).

Key Medicinal Uses

Wound Healing: Comfrey has been traditionally used in poultices for cuts, bruises, and fractures. Its allantoin content is believed to stimulate cell growth and tissue repair (Kowalchik & Hylton, 1998).
Osteoarthritis Pain Relief: A clinical trial demonstrated that comfrey extract gel significantly alleviates pain and improves mobility in knee osteoarthritis patients (Grube et al., 2007).
Skin Conditions: It’s used to soothe conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and other inflammatory skin issues.

Comfrey also contains compounds like mucilage and tanins that act as emollients and astringents, helping to soothe irritated skin and promote healing of tissue.

Scientific Studies

Grube et al. (2007) conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled study showing significant pain reduction and mobility improvement in participants using comfrey root extract gel for osteoarthritis.
Mei et al. (2005) conducted research highlighting the mutagenic effects of pyrrolizidine alkaloids found in comfrey, which has led to concerns regarding the plant’s internal use.
Staiger (2012) reviewed comfrey’s therapeutic benefits, particularly for musculoskeletal problems, supporting its continued use in topical treatments for pain relief.

Safety Concerns

Although comfrey has a long history of medicinal use, safety concerns arise due to its pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) content, which is toxic to the liver and has been linked to carcinogenic effects (Mei et al., 2005). Internal use is strongly discouraged, especially in high doses or over extended periods. However, external use in the form of ointments or poultices remains common, with safety guidelines limiting exposure to 100 μg of unsaturated PAs per day for no more than 4-6 weeks annually (Gardner & McGuffin, 2013).

Adult Dose (6)

Topical Use: Comfrey can be applied externally as an infused oil, salve, compress, or poultice.
External Applications: The typical dosage includes 2-4 g of comfrey root powder mixed with oil or water for topical use, but should be used sparingly for no longer than 4-6 weeks.
Safety Guidelines: In Germany, comfrey products are restricted to external use with a maximum PA exposure of 100 μg per day for short-term applications (Gardner & McGuffin, 2013).

Safety

Comfrey, a plant with medicinal properties, has been a topic of debate among herbalists, scientists, and governments since the 1970s. The plant contains PAs, which have been found to be toxic. However, the clinical circumstances under which these conclusions were drawn require further examination. For more information on the uses of comfrey, refer to the Uses section. Despite its potential benefits, it is important to consider the potential toxicity of comfrey before using it.

Actions

Anti-inflammatory,Antiseptic,Astringent,Demulcent,,EmollientHemostatic,Vulnerary

Energy

Cooling,Moistening

References:

Staiger, C. (2012). Comfrey: A clinical overview. Phytotherapy Research, 26(10), 1441-1448. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.4612
Kowalchik, C., & Hylton, W. (Eds.). (1998). Rodale’s illustrated encyclopedia of herbs. Rodale Press.
Garrett, J.T. (2003). The Cherokee herbal: Native plant medicine from the four directions. Bear & Company.
Grube, B., Grünwald, J., Krug, L., & Staiger, C. (2007). Efficacy of a comfrey root (Symphyti offic. radix) extract ointment in the treatment of patients with painful osteoarthritis of the knee: Results of a double-blind, randomised, bicenter, placebo-controlled trial. Phytomedicine, 14(1), 2-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2006.11.006
Mei, N., Guo, L., Fu, P.P., Heflich, R.H., & Chen, T. (2005). Mutagenicity of comfrey (Symphytum officinale) in rat liver. British Journal of Cancer, 92(5), 873-875. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bjc.6602420
Gardner, Z., & McGuffin, M. (Eds.). (2013). American Herbal Products Association’s botanical safety handbook (2nd ed.). CRC Press.

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