Can humans eat comfrey?
Comfrey has been consumed by humans as a vegetable and a tea and used as an herbal medicine for more than 2000 years. Comfrey, however, produces hepatotoxicity in livestock and humans and carcinogenicity in experimental animals. Comfrey is a native perennial and medicinal plant. In a suitable habitat, the plant can live for up to 20 years. The genus Comfrey (Symphytum) is made up of about 40 species native to Eurasia and North Africa and belongs to the Boraginaceae family.Comfrey (Symphytum) also belongs to the Boraginaceae family and has large, hairy green leaves that look similar to green alkanet, although green alkanet is not the same as comfrey. Comfrey has white or purple, bell-shaped flowers, in contrast to the blue, open flowers of alkanet.Comfrey (Symphytum spp. There is some very serious contention about how to use it safely and effectively in the herbal community. Some say that it should never be consumed internally, while others drink tea made from the leaves.Comfrey (also commonly called knitbone or boneset) has been cultivated since 400 B. C.
Is comfrey good for kidneys?
Comfrey is not recommended for internal use because of the liver damage caused by its pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Patients with hypersensitivity or allergic reactions to the plant should also avoid external use. Definitely do not use during pregnancy or nursing, with infants, and if you have liver or kidney disease. The toxic substances in comfrey can be absorbed by the skin. Even creams and ointments should be used for only a short time, and only under a doctor’s supervision.The therapeutic properties of comfrey are based on its antiinflammatory and analgesic effects. Comfrey also stimulates granulation and tissue regeneration, and supports callus formation (Kommission E, 1990a, 1990b).Don’t apply comfrey products to broken skin or use large amounts on the skin, long-term. The poisonous chemicals in comfrey can be absorbed through the skin.Osteoarthritis: In people with knee osteoarthritis, a degenerative wear-and-tear joint condition, comfrey ointment has been shown to significantly relieve pain, reduce stiffness, and improve function.
What is comfrey used for in homeopathy?
Symphytum officinale is the homeopathic remedy prepared from the common hedgerow plant – comfrey. Comfrey’s ancient English name is “knitbone”, and it is said that country bone-setters used it to repair broken bones. Phytochemistry, folk medicine, and toxicity Folk medicine names for comfrey include knitbone, boneset, and the derivation of its Latin name Symphytum (from the Greek symphytis, meaning growing together of bones, and phyton, a plant, referring to its ancient uses.Comfrey, scientifically known as Symphytum officinale, is a herb from the Boraginaceae family that contains allantoin, which imparts notable healing properties, making it effective for treating broken bones, wounds, and burns by accelerating cell growth and reducing healing time.Symphytum officinale L. Boraginaceae), commonly known as Comfrey, is a medicinal plant and has been reported to have properties to heal blunt injuries, bruises, fractures, dislocated joints, damaged muscles and tendons, heal ulcers, etc.Among comfrey’s many attributes are its beautiful purple flowers that attract pollinators and other beneficial insects. Meanwhile, the large leaves shade the soil and provide habitat for beneficial insects. It is also one of the most potent and effective medicinal herbs.The plant’s high content of allantoin, a compound that promotes cell regeneration, makes it a valuable remedy for healing purposes. Additionally, comfrey leaf was used to alleviate respiratory conditions, such as coughs and bronchitis.
What should you not do with comfrey?
Comfrey should never be taken internally. Most health agencies in the US have banned the internal use of comfrey due to the pyrrolizidine alkaloids found in this plant. Comfrey is no longer sold in the US as an herbal cure, except in creams or ointments. The Verdict: Several scientific studies suggest comfrey is effective for back pain, ankle sprains and knee osteoarthritis. One study even found it hastened healing of abrasions.Although the leaves have been used for internal ailments, in salads, and as potherb, recent studies have linked comfrey to liver toxicity and cancer in rats. In 2001, the FDA banned edible products containing comfrey.Comfrey side effects liver problems–nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).Comfrey is often used externally to reduce swelling, pain, and inflammation caused by varicose veins. It can also be used in lotions, ointments, and poultices. To enhance vein health and circulation, it is also administered orally as teas or capsules [30].Comfrey contains phenolic acids and other antioxidants that protect the skin from free radicals, slowing the ageing process and retaining its youthful appearance.
Why drink comfrey tea?
Comfrey is used as a tea for upset stomach, ulcers, heavy menstrual periods, diarrhea, bloody urine, persistent cough, painful breathing (pleuritis), bronchitis, cancer, and chest pain (angina). It is also used as a gargle for gum disease and sore throat. People should only use comfrey preparations made from the leaves and avoid those made from the root. Less. Comfrey has a long history of use as a topical agent for treating wounds, skin ulcers, thrombophlebitis, bruises, and sprains and strains.Comfrey root extract can mainly be used for topical nerve pain management, swelling in muscle, acute myalgia in the back, strain, contusion and distortion, epicondylitis, tendovaginitis, and periarthritis [19].Most countries have banned oral comfrey, such as in capsules or teas. However, you may still be able to find topical formulations, such as: ointments.In most circumstances, the most effective way to use comfrey is in a salve or poultice. This is then applied to the skin. For example, comfrey oil is a key ingredient in a DIY bruise cream with arnica and bilberry.
Does comfrey heal broken bones?
For centuries, the roots and leaves of the comfrey plant have been used for their healing properties. Historically comfrey was felt to help heal broken bones and wounds – this explains its derivation from the Latin word conferre meaning to bring together. Osteoarthritis: In people with knee osteoarthritis, a degenerative wear-and-tear joint condition, comfrey ointment has been shown to significantly relieve pain, reduce stiffness, and improve function.Herbal wound healing agents Allantoin is a chemical substance found in this plant which impart a remarkable healing properties to it. Comfrey is useful in broken bones, wounds, and burns. It significantly reduces healing time owing to its property of accelerating cell growth.For centuries, comfrey has been used as a traditional medicinal plant for the treatment of painful muscle and joint complaints (Kothmann, 2003; Englert et al. Commonly found throughout Europe and parts of Asia, the plant also naturalized in North America, where it rapidly spread.Comfrey (knit bone) has been used for years on aches and pains in knees, toes, ankles, fingers, knuckles, wrists, shoulders and backs.