The root contains 10-1000 times more Pyrrolizidine alkaloids than the leaves. Comfrey Cream. From: jtreasure.jonno.demon.co.uk (Jonathan Treasure), >If one promptly died from drinking comfrey leaf tea, there would be less. Comfrey root should only be used by a actual herbalist that knows what he is doing. used S. x uplandicum). Affiliate links are shared throughout the website and the Herbal Academy may receive compensation if you make a purchase with these links. I like to also add one teaspoon of DMSO. For other herbalists who have chosen to play it safe with all PAs, they choose to limit comfrey to external use only through the use of preparations such as herb-infused oils, salves, and poultices. Traditionally, comfrey has been used for hundreds of years, both internally and externally. > (BTW - Ignore any posts that follow from the resident afh scaremongers. All parts of the plant can be used including the root, leaves, stems and flowers. It happens, there are plenty of people who post advice to this newsgroup about safety and toxicity of herbal medicines who know nothing about the subject other than reading a secondary source on the matter, or worse repeating hearsay. Crush or powder the plant material and mix with water to form a paste. (Note that Mei et al. Depending on their molecular structure, PAs can be either saturated (such as those found in arnica and echinacea) or unsaturated (such as those found in alkanet, borage, coltsfoot, and comfrey). Because comfrey plants grow so rapidly, feel free to harvest the leaves several times a season. Tilgner, S.M. Use comfrey leaves for mulch; their broad leaves cover a wide area. Sign up for the Herbal Academy Newsletter, and we'll send you a free ebook. Comfrey poultices should be left in place for several hours (overnight is ideal). Then check your email to find a welcome message from our Herbal Academy team with a special link to download our "Herbal Tea Throughout The Seasons" Ebook! In closing, we here at the Herbal Academy suggest erring on the side of caution and avoiding comfrey for internal use, particularly in the case of preexisting liver conditions, those taking medications that may affect liver function, during pregnancy, and while nursing. While both comfrey leaf and root are well known for their mucilage content and associated demulcent action, the root is more demulcent than the leaf. Read my notes in the FAQ for a starter. You use the term US I notice? Use the removed leaf debris as a side dressing along your vegetable plants. In this article, we will look at the benefits of comfrey and its traditional uses, its constituents and their physiological effects in the body, how comfrey is typically used internally and externally, and the safety facts that herbalists need to be aware of when using comfrey. New York: CRC Press. It is important to know what part of the plant is usable medicinally and for comfrey, it is the leaves and the root. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 5, , CD010538. Information offered on Herbal Academy websites is for educational purposes only. King's Dispensatory writes 'Comfrey root is very useful in diarrhoea, dysentery, bronchial irritation, coughs, hemoptysis, other pulmonary affections, leucorrhoea, and female debility. PA toxicity occurs when unsaturated PAs are absorbed from the intestines and passed to the liver to be metabolized. Herbalists also choose comfrey species that are known to contain less toxic PAs. The herb book I have says the beneficial part of the plant are the roots; I was wondering if the leaves have any properties as well. Medical herbalism: The science and practice of herbal medicine. Comfrey is a perennial plant which divides easily. This is a chemical that has been scientifically proven to be toxic to the liver in high enough amounts. Topical herbal therapies for treating osteoarthritis. Next, herbalists lean toward using preparations made from the larger, more mature leaves, which are known to contain fewer PAs than younger leaves and roots. Generally speaking eat a healthy diet. (2013). Health Benefits of Comfrey. Comfrey is even believed to help decrease inflammation of tendon sheaths (Tilgner, 2018), supporting its use for joint sprains. A sterile cultivar is frequently planted in gardens, somewhat reducing the probability of escape, although it easily spreads from root fragments. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids: Chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and food safety. Comfrey is a perennial plant that propagates easily from root divisions. (2016). Please add your email address below and click "Submit" to add yourself to our mailing list. I can appreciate the importance of a compostable bioaccumulator with deep roots able to extract or recover deep minerals. Mills, S., & Bone, K. (2005). Chug a big bottle of Bacardi 151 Rum, and you die. Comfrey is available under the following different brand names: Black Root, Blackwort, Bruisewort, Common Comfrey, Gum Plant, Healing herb, Knitbone, Prickley Comfrey, Salsify, Slippery Root, Symphytum officinale, and Wallwort. Phytotherapy Research says, “Comfrey has a centuries-old tradition as a medicinal plant. The Herbal Academy neither endorses them nor is in any way responsible for their content. AHPA reports that in Germany, the recommended external application of comfrey is a daily exposure at or below 100 μg unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids limited to 4 to 6 weeks per year (Gardner & McGuffin, 2013). http://www.henriettes-herb.com - Copyright 1995–2020 Henriette Kress. Take too many AMA-sponsored, FDA-approved, doctor-prescribed sleeping pills, and you die. Because of this, it is often used to soothe hot, dry tissues, particularly those in the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and urinary tracts for digestive ulcers and diarrhea, coughs, or to ease symptoms associated with a urinary tract infection, respectively (Hoffmann, 2003; Tilgner, 2018). What is Comfrey? It is often used to slow bleeding and drainage from tissues and to tighten and tone relaxed tissues. Add 50g of beeswax (usually available from supermarkets). Can and should one use comfrey (Symphytum spp.) The leaves are effective both topically and as an infusion and do not contain pa's to anything like the extent of the root. Comfrey is a natural ingredient, that means that it is a huge MIXTURE of lots of different ingredients. Anyway, using comfrey leaf poultice, salve, etc., is not dangerous. Add just enough water to turn it into a thick, wet paste, not too runny and not too dry. The Herbal Academy makes neither medical claim, nor intends to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Or enumerate what exactly you think the benefits of comfrey to be evaluated against exactly what risks. The toxic effect of PAs is not a new phenomenon, and many cases of PA poisoning, from mild to severe and even fatal, have been reported (Hoffmann, 2003); however, the toxic effect of PAs in comfrey is where the debate is focused. The common comfrey plant is known in Latin as Symphytum officinale and displays a “hairy” exterior. While both comfrey leaf and root are well known for their mucilage content and associated demulcent action, the root is more demulcent than the leaf. The herb’s leaves are easy to use as mulch. The essential guide to herbal safety. This herb has been utilized in folk medicine throughout Europe and North America and has been widely cultivated. Mei, N., Guo, L., Fu, P.P., Heflich, R.H., & Chen, T. (2005). Comfrey, Symphytum uplandica x Herbal Adventures with Susun S Weed by Susun S. Weed read other Herbal Adventures part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4 . It is the tannin that is solely responsible for making comfrey herb so effective in controlling bleeding. A potential liver toxin does not make us scaremongers add one teaspoon of DMSO by mouth )... Have this very valuable plant forever we 'll send you a free ebook are smooth to holistic self-care,... Australia, and healing small wounds similar, but should do so website... 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