Comfrey

High-Protein Diet Slideshow

What does Comfrey do?

Comfrey herb, leaf, and root is taken by some people externally as a treatment for bruises, sprains, pulled muscles and ligaments, gum disease, canker sores, and pharyngitis. Internally, it has been used for gastritis, and gastrointestinal ulcers. Traditional uses have been for rheumatism, bronchitis, pleuritis, to treat internal bleeding, as a anti-diarrheal, and to treat a variety of external problems s.c. as bruises, sprains, pulled ligaments, ulceration's, eczema, and rashes. It is known for it's ability to promote bone growth, and therefore has been used to aid in the healing process of broken bones Though traditionally it has been used both internally and externally, internal usage is not recommended as it may have hepatoxic and carcinogenic effects due to the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA).  The user should carefully weigh the risks and benefits before using Comfrey internally.

Should my health care professional be advised before I take Comfrey?

They should be consulted first if you have any of these conditions, as Comfrey usage may be contraindicated: If you have any open wounds (should not be used -due to possible absorption of pyrrolizidine alkaloids). If you plan to use this herb internally and you suffer from alcoholism, liver disease, or cancer (contraindicated due to pyrrolizidine alkaloids).

Are there other times my health care professional needs to be advised before I take Comfrey?

They should be consulted first if you are: Pregnant or trying to get pregnant (Comfrey is contraindicated if pregnant - may cause fetal hepatoxicity). Breast-feeding (Comfrey is contraindicated if breast-feeding). If you plan to administer this herb to a child.

What else should I know about Comfrey before I start taking it?

Care should be taken with this herb due to the possibility of hepatoxicity - PA free products should be purchased to eliminate this potential. There is information out that reports Comfrey as having carcinogenic properties. These reports are hotly debated. Several assessments of the potential cancer risk have shown it to be quite low.

How should I take this herb?

Take Comfrey capsules or tablets by mouth. Swallow the capsules with a large drink of water. For the best bioavailability and if you have a sensitive stomach, it is often recommended that you take Comfrey as a tincture, infusion, or tea. You can take Comfrey with or without food. Externally, Comfrey can be applied as a poultice, ointment, lotion, tincture, or wash. As skin can absorb constituents into the blood stream usage should be monitored. It has been recommended that Comfrey should not be used to treat open wounds of any type due to the PA content.

What should the dosage be?

Lengths of administration are usually based on the severity of the symptoms and the type of problem. Buying a standardized product is highly recommended. Ointments and other preparations for external use should contain 5 to 20% of the dried drug. It has been suggested that daily dosages should never exceed more than 100 mcg pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) with 1,2 unsaturated Nicene structure, including their N-oxides. It should be noted that products reported to be free of PA are available in the marketplace. It is recommended by the German Commission E that usage should not exceed more than 4 to 6 weeks per year. This usage limitation is debated by some traditional users. Infusion: 1 ounce herb to 2 cups boiling water, steeped for 20 minutes - This can be applied directly to the skin as a wash or used to make an ointment or lotion. Tea: 1-tsp. herb to 1 cup boiling water, steeped for 20 minutes- This can be applied directly to the skin as a wash or taken internally (see cautionary statement on internal usage). Other external preparations:  The raw herb, leaf, or root can be crushed or macerated and applied directly to the applicable site. Poultices, ointments, lotions, or other semi-solid preparations can be made from the fresh plant, dried herb, or purchased already prepared in the marketplace.

What side effects may I notice from taking Comfrey?

Side effects from correctly administered Comfrey usage are thought to be minimal. If you experience any of these side effects, stop usage immediately and report them to your health care professional. Hepatoxicity Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (stop usage and report it to your health care professional if they are continuing or bothersome): Diarrhea

What do I need to watch out for with Comfrey?

Comfrey may cause serious liver damage if overused or taken over a long period of time. Comfrey, if administered improperly, may cause tissue to form over a deep wound before it has healed deep down. This may lead to abscessing. Read labels carefully before purchasing. A concern when purchasing Comfrey is the content of pyrrolizidine alkaloids present. There have been reports made on products in the marketplace that show a significant variance from product to product on echimidine content (a pyrrolizidine alkaloid). Labels should also be checked for clear identification of the plant genus utilized. There have been reports of Comfrey adulterated with other Symphytum species s.c. as S. asperum and S. x umplandicum. These species may be more toxic due to their content of echimidine. . Look for products that are clearly labeled with the ingredients contained and amounts. Growing a hybrid of the herb (one with no detectable pyrrolizidines present) or purchasing standardized product may reduce the possibility of these unknown factors.

Where can I keep my herbal product?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open. Store at room temperature between 15 and 30°C (59 and 86°F). The raw herb, tinctures infusions. poultices, ointments, etc. should be stored in airtight, dry, and light resistant containers. Poultices, teas, and infusions are best utilized right after they are made. With a manufactured product, if there is an expiration date listed you should throw away the unused portion after the expiration date. Raw herbs, tinctures, ointments, etc all have varying life spans. Generally, an herbal product will have the longest life span when it has been extracted in alcohol.

Can you tell me a little more about Comfrey?

Comfrey is originally indigenous to Europe and certain parts of Asia. It was brought over to the United States where it is now quite common. It has a long history of medicinal usage and is considered by some as an essential in a home herbal first aid kit. The name "Comfrey" is thought to be derived from the Latin "confervere" which means , to join together. Similarly, it gained a common name of "Knitbone". Both names are due to its ability to help set and promote bone healing. It is a hardy perennial that can grow in almost any soil condition but prefers to grow in sunny damp grassy locations. This herb grows up to 3 high. It has many ovate-lanceolate long leaves that are pulled together in the petiole. The lower leaves are alternate, stalked , and ovate to lanceolate. The upper leaves are narrower. The upper leaves tend to be broad as well as lanceolate. and long angular stalks with axillary branches near the top. The leaves are covered with short, fine hairs and are slightly wrinkled in texture. Its root is turnip like, fusiform and branched. It is black on the outside with a white interior. It is slimy and horn-like when dried. The flowers grow from the top of a long stalk with the buds located on the top and open flowers below. They are bell-shaped and arranged in nodding cymes in the upper leaf axis. The flowers have purple, white or pink obovate petals. There are 5 stamens and one style. The fruit consists of four ovoid glossy-black nutlets. The best time for harvesting. Comfrey is probably in the early fall. It is during this time that Allotin levels are reported at their highest and the pyrrolizidine alkaloids present in the herb are reported at their lowest.

Can you tell me a little more about the presence and concerns over Comfrey's pyrrolizidine alkaloids content?

Concerns over the content of pyrrolizidine alkaloids present in Comfrey, have led to much debate. The APHA Board of Trustees, in 1996, recommended that all products with botanical ingredients containing toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids include a cautionary label "for external use only. Do not apply to broken or abraded skin. Do not use when nursing". In Australia, regulations prohibit Comfrey usage except in Homeopathic remedies in dilutions of 0.000001% or greater. Canada, also regulates Comfrey usage, prohibiting it's usage as a food. The German Commission E has approved it for external use only. On February 22, 1998, the FDA announced that it had identified 16 dietary supplements as risky, Comfrey was one of the herbs listed due to the content of alkaloids toxic to the liver. Later that same year, the FDA produced a consumer report (September and October of 1998) which listed Comfrey a possible health hazard due to the risk of "obstruction of blood flow to liver, possibly leading to death". Due to these concerns of toxicity, new hybrids are being developed that have little to no discernable pyrrolizidine alkaloid content. Products can now be found on the market that have processed the drug in a manner which may reduce the concentrations of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. However the buyer should be aware of the risks before using Comfrey, particularly internally.

What are the actions that have been associated with the herb?

Comfrey has demonstrated an ability to reduce inflammation, and has exhibited astringent, demulcent, emollient, and vulnerary effects. Comfrey is said to promote the formation of callus and stimulate cell proliferation. This ability is thought to be due to it's bioconstituent: Allotin. The root is contains steroidal saponins which may be one of the constituents that give it it's pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory actions.

Copyright 1999 RxList