What is comfrey root used for?
Comfrey is an herbal supplement used for conditions such as bronchitis, bruises (topical use), cancer, cough (persistent), fractures (topical use), peptic ulcer, rheumatism, skin ulcers (topical use), sprains (topical use), wound healing (topical use), gastritis, ulcers, excessive menstrual flow, and to gargle for gum …
Does comfrey heal broken 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.
When was comfrey banned?
Potential Dangers of Comfrey. However, scientists have discovered comfrey contains a toxic substance known as pyrrolizidine alkaloids, a substance that can cause severe liver damage. Consequently in 2001, the FDA required that all oral comfrey supplements be removed from the marketplace.
How do you make comfrey root?
To freshly dry comfrey root: dig the root when it is dry weather, clean by hand or using some water and a vegetable brush if needed. Brush the root gently however. Chop finely; lay out on a paper bag overnight. To freshly dry leaves: harvest, wipe the dirt off with a towel, and allow to dry whole overnight.
Is comfrey good for back pain?
Extract of comfrey root can be used to quickly and effectively relieve chronic back pain, latest study results suggest. German researchers studied 120 people with upper and lower back pain. Half used an ointment containing extract of comfrey root – 4g applied three to five times a day – and the rest used a placebo.
Is comfrey plant illegal in the US?
Comfrey is no longer sold in the U.S., except in creams or ointments. The United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Germany also have banned the sale of oral products containing comfrey. The dangerous substances in comfrey are also absorbed through the skin, so harmful amounts may build up in the body.
Is comfrey poisonous?
Comfrey is a plant. Even though this plant contains poisonous chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), some people use the leaf, root, and root-like stem (rhizome) to make medicine.
Is comfrey bad for liver?
Comfrey contains has toxic substances called pyrrolizidine alkaloids that damage the liver, sometimes fatally. Comfrey is no longer sold in the U.S., except in creams or ointments, but even used this way the alkaloids can build up in the body.