Ø Comfrey:
Comfrey
§ Warning: Internal usage of comfrey should be avoided because it contains hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) (Note, there are also non-hepatotoxic
pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Which would allow internally use of the root.). Use of comfrey can, because of these PAs, lead to
veno-occlusive disease (VOD). VOD can in turn lead to liver failure, and comfrey, taken in extreme amounts, has been implicated in at least one death. In 2001, the United States Food and Drug Administration issued a warning against internal usage of herbal products containing comfrey. [2]
§ Care should be taken with very deep wounds as the external application
of Symphytum can lead to tissue forming over the wound before it has healed deeper down, leading to the possibility of an
abscess. Excessive internal consumption of the root should be avoided because
of the pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which have been linked by some research to liver cancer in rats.
§ Care should be taken that
the leaves of Comfrey are not confused with the first-year leaf rosettes of Foxglove (Digitalis), with fatal results.
∞ Botanical name: (Symphytum officinale L.), Russian Comfrey (Symphytum x uplandicum). Wikipedia.org ; Symphytum officinale (LINN.) A Modern Herbal ; (Symphytum
officinale) Indian Spring Herbal Encyclopedia
∞ Chinese Botanical name:
--- Synonyms--- Ass Ear; Blackwort;
Boneset; Bruisewort Comphrey; Common Comfrey; Consolida; Consound; Consormol;
Gum Plant; Knitbone; Knitback; Slippery root; Yalluc (Saxon).
---Other species include---
à
(Symphytum asperum): Prickly Comfrey, Rough Comfrey (synonym: S. asperrimum)
à
(Symphytum bulbosum): Bulbous Comfrey
à
(Symphytum caucasicum): Caucasian Comfrey
à
(Symphytum grandiflorum): Creeping Comfrey (synonym: S. ibericum)
à
(Symphytum orientale): White Comfrey
à
(Symphytum tauricum): Crimean Comfrey
à
(Symphytum tuberosum): Tuberous Comfrey
à
(Symphytum x uplandicum): Russian Comfrey, Healing Herb, Blackwort, Bruisewort,
Wallwort, Gum Plant. (S. asperum x officinale, synonym: S. peregrinum)
---Description--- Comfrey was used to
treat a wide variety of ailments ranging from bronchial problems, broken bones, sprains, arthritis, gastric and varicose ulcers,
severe burns, 'many female disorders', comfrey baths were popular to repair the hymen, bone and teeth building properties
in children, diarrhea and dysentery, lung troubles and also for quinsy
and whooping-cough, all pulmonary complaints, consumption and bleeding of the lungs, acne and other skin conditions.
Comfrey is Anodyne, Astringent,
Demulcent, Emollient, Expectorant, Hemostatic, Refrigerant, and
Vulnerary.
---Parts Used--- Root and leaves usually wild crafted, note do not confuse
with foxglove leaves.
---Constituents--- The herb contains from
0.6 to 0.8 per cent of allantoin and a little tannins, a cell proliferant that speeds up the natural replacement of body cells. Comfrey chief and most important constituents is
mucilage which it contains in great abundance, more even than Marshmallow. Comfrey
also contains steroidal saponins, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, inulin, vitamin B12, proteins calcium, potassium, phosphorus, other trace minerals,
the leaves are rich in vitamins A and C and
starch is present in a very small amount.
---Medicinal Action and Uses--- The comfrey plant
is abounds in mucilage, it is frequently given whenever a mucilaginous medicine is required and has been used like Marshmallow
for intestinal troubles. It is very similar in its emollient action to Marshmallow, but in many cases is even preferred to
it and is an ingredient in a large number of herbal preparations. It forms a gentle remedy in cases of diarrhea and dysentery.
Comfrey plant has long been used in lung troubles
and also for quinsy and whooping-cough. The root is used in cases of coughs. It has long been used for all pulmonary complaints,
consumption and bleeding of the lungs. A strong decoction, or tea, is recommended in cases of internal haemorrhage, whether
from the lungs, stomach, bowels or from bleeding piles – to be taken every two hours till the haemorrhage ceases, in
severe cases, a teaspoonful of Witch Hazel extract being added to the Comfrey root tea. NOTE: Be sure to always work with a Naturopathic doctor or a Medical Doctor when hemorrhaging.
Comfrey leaves are of much value as an external remedy,
both in the form of fomentations, for sprains, swellings and bruises, and as a poultice, to severe cuts, to promote suppuration
of boils and abscesses, and gangrenous and ill-conditioned ulcers. The whole plant, beaten to a cataplasm and applied hot
as a poultice, has always been deemed excellent for soothing pain in any tender, inflamed or suppurating part. It was formerly
applied to raw, indolent ulcers as a glutinous astringent. It is useful in any kind of inflammatory swelling.
Recent American research has also shown
that comfrey breaks down red blood cells, a finding that supports its use for bruises.
Internally, the leaves are taken in the form of an
infusion, 1 OZ. of the leaves to 1 pint of boiling water.
---Nutrient Source--- Nutritional
and medicinal value seem to decrease once the plant blossoms.
 ---References--- “Herbal Medicine
– The Natural way to Get Well and Stay Well” by – Dian Dincin Buchman, PhD, Copyright 1979, 1996,
ISBN: 0-517-14767-x, Page 2, 23-28, 133, 179, 191, 194, 296, 299
 ---References--- A Modern Herbal
 ---References--- Wikipedia.org
 ---References--- Indian Spring Herbal Encyclopedia
∞ Recipe: A decoction is
made by boiling 1/2 to 1 OZ. of crushed root in 1 quart of water or milk, which is taken in wineglassful doses, frequently.
∞ Recipe: Comfrey roots, together with Chichory and Dandelion roots, are used to make well-known vegetation 'Coffee,'
that tastes practically the same as ordinary coffee, with none of its injurious effects.
∞ Recipe: Comfrey root in the form of ointment or tincture for internal or external healing.
