Is comfrey tea safe to drink?
Comfrey contains chemicals that cause serious liver damage when taken by mouth. The FDA has recommended that all comfrey products that are taken by mouth be removed from the market. Topical creams containing comfrey root extract have most often been applied to the skin by adults for up to 3 weeks. For arthritis relief, try creating a poultice of comfrey with pain-relieving essential oils such as peppermint oil and applying it to the painful areas two to three times a day. Please note: comfrey should only be used topically up to 10 consecutive days, in order to avoid bioaccumulation.Comfrey – Comfrey – Symphytum And thus the name already expresses how the medicinal plants can be used. For centuries, comfrey has been used to treat injuries and broken bones. Systemic use is obsolete today because Symphytum officinale contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can cause hepatotoxic effects.The treatment reduced pain and increased muscle strength, but had no effect on systemic inflammation or cartilage breakdown over 12 weeks of treatment. Comfrey root has a strong historical record in the treatment of blunt injuries due to its anti-inflammatory, de-swelling and pain-relieving properties.Historically, the Greeks and Romans used comfrey to treat bronchial problems and stop heavy bleeding. 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.
Can humans drink comfrey tea?
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 ointment can be used for relieving pain from sprains, arthritis and inflammation, as well as rubbing into bruises.Native Americans considered comfrey a sacred healing plant and drank it as a tea as well as using it topically. Comfrey was used in cooking for feeding livestock. It was also used as food during the potato famine in Ireland during the 1840’s.Scientific evidence is coming in that indicates that creams and lotions made from the flowering comfrey plant could ease both arthritis and muscle pain. Several scientific studies show that comfrey may be effective for knee osteoarthritis, as well as for back pain and ankle sprains.Comfrey oil Externally for arthritic joints, sciatica, bruises, sprains and other traumatic injuries, inflamed bunions. Put the oil and the herb in a heatproof (Pyrex) glass bowl over a pan of boiling water or in a double saucepan and heat gently (covered) for about three hours.Comfrey has a long history of use as a topical agent for treating wounds, skin ulcers, thrombophlebitis, bruises, and sprains and strains. Comfrey was used by herbalists to promote more rapid repair of broken bones, hence the common names boneset and knitbone.
Can you drink comfrey tea every day?
The plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can be toxic to the liver when consumed in large amounts or over a prolonged period. Therefore, it is recommended to use comfrey leaf externally or in small doses for short periods of time. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using comfrey leaf altogether. 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.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].Conclusion. Both active topical comfrey formulations were effective in relieving pain and stiffness and in improving physical functioning and were superior to placebo in those with primary osteoarthritis of the knee without serious adverse effects.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.
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 known to be an effective and speedy wound-healing remedy. As we mentioned earlier, allantoin is the key component in speeding up healing. This is because allantoin stimulates fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing collagen and elastin.Comfrey contains carbohydrates (including mucilage), tannins, triterpenes, allantoin and alkaloids [17]. Allantoin stimulates the regeneration of connective tissue, bone and cartilage [18].Comfrey (also commonly called knitbone or boneset) has been cultivated since 400 B. C. Immigrants first brought the plant to America in the 1600s for medicinal use.
What is the homeopathic name for comfrey?
Introduction. Symphytum officinale (Boraginaceae), well known as comfrey, represents a plant with an impressive record of medicinal use. Image from here. Russian comfrey (Symphytum x uplandicum) is the most popular type of comfrey for the grower, it’s a hybrid of Symphytum officinale (common comfrey) and Symphytum asperum (rough comfrey).
Does comfrey actually heal bones?
Comfrey may not be an obvious choice, but it has always been such a kind plant to the garden that it should come as no surprise that is kind to the body, too. Once known as knitbone, Symphytum officinale has a long history of wound healing, particularly broken bones, torn muscles, sprains and aches. Other English names include Quaker comfrey, cultivated comfrey, boneset, knitbone, consound, and slippery-root.