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Comfrey Symphytum officinale

Benefits | Preparation | Medicinal Uses | Side Effects | Plant | Folklore | Comfrey Remedies
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Common Names
Comfrey ,
Botanical Name
Symphytum officinale
Family
BORAGINACEAE Borage Family
Comfrey Medicinal Properties & Benefits
Common Uses: Abrasions/Cuts * Bronchitis * Bruises/Sprains * Cancer Prevention * Diabetes * Eczema *
Properties: Astringent* Emollient* Expectorant* Vulnerary* Demulcent*
Parts Used: root, leaves
Constituents:annin, rosmarinic acid, allantoin, steroidal saponins, mucilage, inulin, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, Gum, Carotene, Glycosides, Sugars, Beta-sitosterol, Triterpenoids, Vitamin B-12, Protein, Zinc.


Comfrey root extract can reduce
the pain of osteoarthritis

Comfrey relieves pain and inflammation caused by injuries and degeneration, especially the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Comfrey creams and oils can be used in arthritic pain relieving massages.

Comfrey is a marvelous herb and is one of the best-known healing herbs of all times. Its very name, symphytum, means to heal. Comfrey has been used for centuries for its bone mending qualities, for its healing effects on ulcers, and for its general soothing effect on the mucous membranes, making it invaluable in soothing sore throats and coughs.

Comfrey salves, ointments and teas are best know for the topical treatment of burns, skin ulcerations, abrasions, lacerations, flea and insect bites, and just about any skin irritation. Likewise a poultice, salve or infusion of the leaves can be applied to bruises, fractures, sprains, and other closed-tissue injuries. Well known and widely used by early herbalists, science now confirms the healing effects of comfrey are attributable to allantoin, a compound shown to speed cell production both inside and outside the body. Comfrey works so fast that many herbalists will add antibacterial herbs such as goldenseal or thyme to comfrey salves to prevent sealing bacteria inside a fast healing wound.

Side Effects:
In the late 1970s experimental data showed lab rats fed comfrey 3 to 4 times their body weight over a long period of time developed liver damage. It would take a human drinking 3 to 4 cups of comfrey tea for 140 years to acheive the same effect, still it must always be considered that what is safe for the majority can cause allergic reactions in a few. Herbalists are divided on the use of this age old herb, some say it should only be applied externally, others point to the fact that a cup of comfrey contains less cancer causing potential than a can of beer.
How to Use: Comfrey
Preparation Methods :Water infusions, salves and ointments.

remedyRemedies using : Comfrey

Comfrey for :Broken bones
Broken bones It's a time honored treatment for healing sores, bruises and healing broken bones.

James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

comfrey for :Lungs, Skin, Congestion
Lungs, Skin, Congestion Literally a one-herb pharmacy - healing for any kind of respiratory disease. It is a cell proliferant, and is healing for internal and external use. This wonder plant contains potassium, calcium, phoshorus, iron, magnesium, and cobalt. It is rich in Vitamin B and C and E.

Adele Dawson, Herbs: Partners in Life (2000)

Comfrey for :Stimulate hormones
Stimulate hormones Comfrey has been shown to affect the sex hormones which stimulate the ovaries and testes. Such a hormonal effect is also indicated by traditional belief.

Richard Mabey, The New Age Herbalist (1988)

Comfrey cream for :Diabetic sores
Diabetic sores Comfrey's astringent tannins form a protective surface over wounds that promotes healing.You may want to try comfrey or allantoin skin creams for diabetic sores.
Comfrey extract for :Decrease tumor growth
Decrease tumor growth Some comfrey extracts have shown the potential to decrease tumor growth and extend the lives of lab rats with cancer.

James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

Comfrey root for :Coughs
Coughs The root is more effectual than the leaves and is the part usually used in cases of coughs. It is highly esteemed for all pulmonary complaints, consumption and bleeding of the lungs.

Maud Grieve, Modern Herbal Vol 1 (1931)

Comfrey root extract for :Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis The results of patients with painful osteoarthritis of the knee treated with comfrey root extract in an ointment showed a reduction in pain , mobility of the knee improved and quality of life increased : .

. Efficacy of a comfrey root (Symphyti offic. radix). (2007 Jan;14(1):2-10), Phytomedicine

Comfrey tea for :Weeping eczema
Weeping eczema For weeping eczema, make a tea of comfrey and apply the liquid as a compress. Comfrey relieves pain and speeds healing of pus-filled wounds, and accelerates tissue healing in cases of insect bites.

Buy Bulk Comfrey Herbs, Extracts, Capsules and Oils
Certified Organic Comfrey
Symphytum officinale Origin- Hungary Used as a paste, ointment, tincture, decoction, poultice and in cosmetics.
buyOrganic Comfrey

Certified Organic Healing Salves Samplers
A great way to sample our herbal salves, giving you the chance to explore the healing possibilities that each one provides. Each kit contains a 1-ounce tin of the following:
buyOrganic Healing Salves Samplers

Comfrey/St. Johns Wort Compound Injur-Heal Balm Powerful Skin Compound

Certified Organic Comfrey Herbal Oil
Traditionally used for general wound healing, treatment of bruises and for skin cell proliferation. Not to be used on dirty or open wounds.
buyOrganic Comfrey Herbal Oil

Made from certified organic Comfrey leaves and root (Symphytum officinale) infused in a base of certified organic Olive oil.

referencesComfrey Medicinal Uses & Benefits
Abrasions/Cuts * Bronchitis * Bruises/Sprains * Cancer Prevention * Diabetes * Eczema *
Plant Description

Koehler's Medicinal-Plants 1887
Koehler's Medicinal-Plants 1887

The plant grows two to three feet high. The lower leaves are large, ten to sixteen inches long, ovate, lanceolate, pointed and slightly wavy, hairy, with veins and veinlets clearly defined. The upper leaves are smaller, the stem branched, terminating in one-sided cluster of drooping, bee-shaped flowers that grow on only one side of the stem

Comfrey does best in part shade in dampish soils. If you grow it in the full sunshine, it will thrive in excellent soils that are well watered. Established plants self sow, and can be propagated by root division and cuttings. Seeds can be started in pots indoors in January for spring planting when soil temperatures rise. Barely cover seeds, needs light to germinate.

In the Kitchen:

Comfrey roots, together with chicory and dandelion roots, are used to make a well-known vegetation 'Coffee,' that tastes practically the same as ordinary coffee, with none of its injurious effects.

(Grieve, M.)

Folklore, Myths and Legends
Astrology:
folkloreThis is an herb of Saturn, and I suppose under the sign Capricorn, cold, dry, and earthy in quality... the root boiled in water or wine, and the decoction drunk, helpeth all inward hurts, bruises, and wounds, and the ulcers of the lungs, causing the phlegm that oppresseth them to be easily spit forth Nicholas Culpeper
All-natural and organic echinacea from frontiercoop.com

Common Misspellings: compfrey

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