COMFREY
Symphytum officinale
Common Name: Comfrey, Boneknit, Boneset, Knitbone, Bruisewort Family: Boraginaceae Part/s Used: Roots + Leaves Energetics: Cooling, moistening, secondary drying, demulcent Taste:Sweet, bland, bitter, acrid, astringent Actions: Astringent, demulcent, expectorant, immune modulating, hemostatic Tissue state: Dry/atrophy Organ system affinity: Mucosal membranes Planet: Saturn Element: Water |
Medicinal Preparations:
Tincture (ratio & alcohol %): Fresh root: 1:2 to 95% secondary cutting of the fresh leaf 1:2 or 1:3+ 95% Dry: Leaf 1:5 60%
Drops: 5-60 Times a day: 3x
Tea: Standard infusion of the leaves: 4-8 oz / Decoction of the root 4-8 oz Honey: Root 1:4; consume 1 tsp 3x a day Topical Preparations: Prepare the leaf oil using the alcohol intermediary oil method or infuse the leaves or the root using a double boiler method. Use the root or the leaves in topical applications such as poultice, fomentation, cream, salve, ointment, balm, paste, wash, bath, mouth wash, douche, or enema. |
Habitat and Botanical Description:Comfrey is native to Europe and temperate Asia and was brought to the U.S by European settlers. It is a perennial that is easily cultivated and once established grows prolifically. Gardeners may consider it an invasive, because once planted it is almost impossible to eradicate. The root can grow up to ten feet and will sprout when even the smallest root chunk is left in the soil. Comfrey has an angular, hairy stem with bristly, oblong shaped leaves that grow low on comfreys stem which can reach up to three feet tall. Its purple bell-shaped flowers have five lobes and grow in forked, scorpiod racemes that appear from May through August. It has a black skinned tap root with a fleshy white inside. |
Medicinal Uses:Comfrey is a formula in and of itself. It is a cooling demulcent and a tonic astringent. Cooling the heat of irritated tissues, strengthening the connective tissues and a powerful vulnerary. Comfrey is rich in silica, calcium, protein, minerals and nutrient dense. Known as "knitbone" comfrey has a affinity for the musculoskeletal system. It can mend broken bones rather quickly, and should only be used once the bone is properly set in place. It contains the constituent allantoin which is responsible for stimulating cell proliferation and tissue regeneration. Useful for sprains, strains, bruises, cuts, and abrasions. It works so well, in fact, that it is contraindicated for deep wounds or a puncture wound as it works from the top to the bottom and can seal the wound too fast. Calendula would be good here to start and after the deep wound has had some time to heal from the inside a bit it would be safe use comfrey. Comfrey is the best remedy for ulcers. Just like it is good for wounds on the outside, it works too for abrasions on the inside. Its hemostatic properties staunch bleeding and its demulcent properties soothe irritated tissues. It reduces passive bleeding in the digestive tract resulting from the stomach and work well for ulcerative colitis and hemorrhoids as well. Comfrey root shares the same properties as the leaf, however it contains much high qualities of mucilage. Water based preparations have demulcent and anti-inflammatory properties. The root tea is highly beneficial to reduce inflammation and stimulate healing of the mucous membranes. Topical applications of the root, such as poultices and fomentations have emollient properties. Try comfrey leaf oil for topical use for tendonitis, arthritis, gout, joint pain and back injuries. For broken bones and fractures comfrey can consumed internally and applied topically to accelerate healing. |
Harvesting:
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Recommended Products: |
Contraindications:Young children, pregnant, lactating women, elderly and individuals with compromised liver function should avoid the internal use of comfrey. Topical use is acceptable. Individuals taking prescriptions or occur the counter medications that induce liver damage or compromise liver function in any way should avoid the internal use of comfrey. Use caution when harvesting the leaves, has been known to cause contact dermatitis. Wear gloves. Comfrey should not be consumed internally in high doses for long periods of time due the cumulative effects of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The root concentrates pyrrolizidine alkaloids a lot more than the leaf. When used in moderation for shorts periods of time it is unlikely to cause problems in healthy individuals. While it is important to be mindful of this it is also important to not isolate a single constituent in a plant and overlook all the potential protective benefits of nutrients found in the whole plant. Although S.asperum and S.x.uplandicum contain higher alkaloids that should not be consumed internally. |
Sources:
- Grieve, M. (1971). A Modern Herbal. Volume 1. New York, NY: Dover Publications. (Original work published 1931)
- Popham, Sajah. Alchemical Herbalism Course. School of Evolutionary Herbalism. Lecture Notes; 2020
- Popham, Sajah. The Vitalist Herbal Practitioner Program. School of Evolutionary Herbalism. Lecture Notes; 2021
- Sinadinos, Christa. The Essential Guide to Western Botanical Medicine. Fieldbrook, CA; 2020
- Sinadinos, Christa. Northwest School for Botanical Studies Course. Lecture Notes; 2014
Disclosure: This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.