HERBAL GUIDE

COMFREY

AKA: Symphytum Officinale

The perennial herb Comfrey belongs to the Boraginaceae (forget me not) family.  It has a black root that is akin to a turnip, large broad leaves that are hairy and blooms small bell shaped flowers that come in the colors: white, cream, purple and pink. It is a stout, angular plant that reaches the height of two to three feet. On top it is broadly winged and covered with bristly hairs. On the bottom, very large ovate leaves which are covered with itchy rough hairs. Comfrey is found mostly in Europe where it grows in damp grassy places and it is especially prolific in the British Isles where it can be found on river banks and ditches.

 Comfrey can be used as both a food and forage crop, but due to the discovery of cancer causing toxins within the roots and leaves, it is now recommended as a topical for inflamed parts of the body.  Pigs, sheep, and poultry will eat the fresh leaves of the comfrey plant and cattle and rabbits will forage on the wilted plant at times. Horses, goats, chinchillas, and caged birds are also fed comfrey.  The plant is also used as an ornamental and the leaves and stems, which quickly turn into a black oozy liquid, is also used as a compost accelerant and can be used to help fertilize potato, sweet pea, or bean crops.

Benefits and Uses 

Inflammation Swelling Bruises Cuts Boils Abcesses

To ease pain of any tender, inflamed area of the body, the whole plant is beaten to a cataplasm and applied hot as a poultice. It is a very effective remedy for sprains, swells, and bruises. It has even been applied to cuts, boils, abscesses, and ulcers.

The plant has also seen use as a digestive aid in the form of comfrey-pepsin capsules, but since ingestion of the plant seems to cause liver damage and promote cancer, most herbalists and physicians will not recommend taking comfrey internally for any purpose.

 It has become increasingly harder to find comfrey in any type of preparations, but some tablets and herbal extractions are still available. Dilute teas and decoctions can also be found but long time use is never recommended. Most forms of comfrey can be found in topical products such as lotions, cream, salves and poultices.

Possible Side Effects and Cautions

If you do decide to take the herb internally, please seek immediate help if you experience the following symptoms…

• Excessive fatigue

• Extreme Itchiness

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

• Pain or swelling in the abdomen

• Yellowing of the skin or whites of the  eyes (signs of liver damage)

The plant has been found to contain trace amount of toxic alkaloids which can dmage the liver. The largest concentrations of these carcinogens are found in the root and older leaves. The younger leaves contain almost no traces of these alkaloids.

It is wise to avoid the root all together, but preparations of the leaf are considered safe when applied to unbroken skin for a limited period,