Comfrey - Symphytum officinale

Comfrey is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family, Boraginaceae. Symphytum is native to northern temperate regions of Asia and North America, with a wide introduced distribution on both continents. There are 59 recognized species. You have purchased the leaf of Symphytum officinale, aka true comfrey or common comfrey.

Comfrey has been widely used for centuries for an assortment of internal ailments, but it's now considered unsafe for internal use, due to the pyrrolizidine alkaloids that it contains. The FDA and EU have banned oral comfrey products. In actuality the concern is primarily about the roots, which contain up to ten times as much alkaloid as the leaves. I offer tinctures of both the leaves, and the roots, but I can only legally recommend tinctures for external use. I also offer dried comfrey leaves for use as a poultice for musculoskeletal complaints as well as comfrey salves.

Comfrey has been used for bruises, strains and sprains, tendinitis syndrome, knee joint injuries, non-active gonarthrosis, insect bites, mastitis, fractures, osteoporosis, and skin inflammation. My family finds that a comfrey poultice or salve warmed or combined with castor oil is a soothing remedy for musculoskeletal complaints. Comfrey contains allantoin, which promotes new skin cell growth. It contains rosmarinic acid and tannins, which can help reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and are antiseptic. Studies have found it to exhibit inhibition against S. aureus, B subtilis, P. aeruginosa and S. typhi. This speaks to its use as a wound healer and protectant. Comfrey contains a wide variety of critically important bioactive constituents, amino acids, flavonoids, triterpenes, terpenoids, saponins, sterols, mucopolysaccharides and other hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives.

Dry comfrey leaves are covered in tiny hairs, which can irritate the skin and cause dermatitis. Making a warm compress with oil usually avoids this. 

Dosing: Use as needed for external complaints. I cannot recommend a dose for internal use.

Contraindications: Not for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. 

Interactions: Use only under a doctor’s supervision if you are taking drugs which can affect the liver.