And I hope it doesn’t seem like I’m down on Susan Weed. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 2003. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_922777_30').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_922777_30', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [5, 5], }); If you do not want to ingest the decoction, you can use it as a mouthwash or gargle for infections, dry mouth, sore throat, and bleeding gums. Everything will kill ya. Crush or powder the plant material and mix with water to form a paste. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpam.2018.11.002. Larger, mature leaves also have lower concentrations of PAs. Accessed September 21, 2019. https://canvas.instructure.com/courses/1087997/pages/comfrey-monograph?module_item_id=11302739. *NOTE* Hot soaks are not recommended for acute infection or inflammation. “The Safe Ways To Use Comfrey Oil.” Mercola.com. I hope you’re having a wonderful day! But I’m only human. We're sorry you are having to learn about prostatitis, but we're glad you came here, because we think we can help. Accessed September 21, 2019. https://herbmentor.learningherbs.com/herb/comfrey/#marker-1080-14. 1 (2007): 2–10. Fresh leaves and roots can also be stored in the freezer. And yes, I made it in 4 weeks, which was the time I had to it. DK Natural Health: Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. Sit in a tub full of the hottest water you can tolerate for 15-30 minutes. After realizing that the lab testing usually entails going ridiculously overboard on dosing before the establishment labels something dangerous, I’m convinced that most things can kill you. The ability to synthesize a wide variety of chemical compounds that are possibly used to perform important biological functions, and to defend against attack from predators such as insects, fungi, and herbivorous mammals is called herbal medicine. Susan has said before that Syphytum uplandica x (which she refers to as cultivated comfrey and other refer to as Russian comfrey) has no PAs in its leaves. It’s still up for debate. See the Precautions and Contraindications section for more details. The remaining herbal solution is then prepared as a tea. Drink a decoction of the root daily … “Comfrey Monograph.” The Homegrown School of Botanical Medicine. Ingestion of comfrey is controversial, with views ranging from “it’s harmless” to “it’s too dangerous to ever use internally.” The issue centers around pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). You can combine comfrey oil and comfrey tea into one easy-to-use, super-smooth application. A skin-friendly herb, comfrey has astringent properties that tighten and tone your skin. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment because of information provided by TGN. plant in chicken runs. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_922777_20').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_922777_20', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [5, 5], }); Another study found that comfrey may be superior to diclofenac gel, a prescription anti-inflammatory drug.21)Predel, H.-G., B. Giannetti, R. Koll, M. Bulitta, and C. Staiger. The flowers are bell-shaped and tend to be purple. Place this flat in your freezer. Scott, I just want to say, you are awesome. Glad you enjoyed it. Remember, drinking isn’t the only thing you can do with comfrey tea. Nutritional Herbology: a Reference Guide to Herbs. It’s an excellent source of calcium, manganese, niacin, potassium, riboflavin, selenium, silicon, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C. Unfortunately, eating the plant may be harmful to your liver. The author was Orly Avitzur M. D., a board certified neurologist and medical advisor to Consumers Reports. “Comfrey.” HerbMentor. Add turmeric powder to a glass of warm milk and drink it before going to bed. Comfrey, Couch Grass and Marshmallow have demulcent properties to help sooth and protect. Comfrey is a powerful healing plant that is sometimes called the king of the vulneraries (healing plants). It would take quite a bit to straighten out, without adding a whole lot. Dry leaves work best with this method. But I also put it in a less hospitable area. All of this makes her a good person to reference on this subject. Staiger, Christiane. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic, 2014. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_922777_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_922777_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [5, 5], }); However we take John Parkinson’s claim, there is no doubt that comfrey is a powerful healing herb. Other Common Names: Knitbone, gum plant, healing herb, hipbone, knit back, boneset, Actions: Astringent, anti-hemorrhagic, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, anti-ulcer, demulcent, expectorant, vulnerary, Plant Uses: Wound healing, scar formation/diminishing, broken bones, sprains/strains, bites, stings, rashes, burns, ulcers, eye strain, respiratory conditions, irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, urinary health, Plant Preparations: Tea, decoction, cream, lotion, ointment, tincture, liniment, poultice, eyewash, green juice, capsules, various others. Hello to you from Southwest Colorado, USA! Comfrey can help minimize scaring, and may even be useful for fading established scars.17)Hoffmann, David. These are in the same family as comfrey, but fall into a different genus. However, some people have apparently eaten comfrey without issue. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_922777_32').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_922777_32', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [5, 5], }); The quantities consumed were entirely unrealistic and do not represent a true-to-life use of the herb. Or maybe it just doesn’t want to grow where it is. Burdock Root Image Source CC BY-NC-SA. 1stChineseHerbs.com is your source for your natural healthcare needs. Even if you plant it in a carefully selected area, its tiny, black seeds can spread near and far, sending up new plants all over your yard and garden. But humans are not rats. If you’re trying to avoid comfrey overload, you could try planting Russian comfrey. Extracted allantoin products are commercially available as health and beauty aids. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_922777_21').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_922777_21', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [5, 5], }); The medical literature clearly supports comfrey’s traditional use as a healing plant.22)Staiger, Christiane. Screw a lid on the jar, place it in a paper bag to protect it from direct sun exposure, and place it on a warm windowsill. Food and Drug Administraton fda.gov/food/dietarysupplements, “Comfrey: A Clinical Overview.”, Barna, M., A. Kucera, M. Hladíkova, and M. Kucera. Use 1-3 teaspoons of dried comfrey root per 1 cup of water. This could cause the surface of the wound to heal over before the bottom of the wound, potentially creating an abscess. Have used internally comfrey some decades ago having my right wrist broken (slightly), I bought it from apothek, root pieces and cooked tea of it. Gloves are optional. You should also not use comfrey with a dirty wound, for the same reason. Where to Get It: Wild Comfrey Root Extract. Accessed September 21, 2019. https://canvas.instructure.com/courses/1087997/pages/comfrey-monograph?module_item_id=11302739. Comfrey’s PAs are not well absorbed by the skin. Prostatitis Foundation Herbal medicines are one type of dietary supplement.They are sold as tablets, capsules, powders, teas, extracts, and fresh or dried plants. Warsaw, IN: Whitman Publications, 2010. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_922777_18').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_922777_18', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [5, 5], }); It should be noted that, while allantoin is the primary healing constituent in comfrey, it is not the only healing chemical. add leaves and plants to my compost pile. External use is generally accepted to be safe by all but the most extreme comfrey-phobic herbalists, though some will advise only using comfrey that has been purified of its alkaloid content. However, their levels of PAs are significantly higher. Our Lawyer Wants You to Read This Big, Bad Medical Disclaimer –> The contents of this article, made available via The Grow Network (TGN), are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice; the content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Unfortunately, comfrey bears a stigma. Pour alcohol over the herbs so that they are covered by an inch or two of liquid. Warsaw, IN: Whitman Publications, 2010. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_922777_23').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_922777_23', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [5, 5], }); Use it for musculoskeletal pain, nerve pain, bites, stings, burns, sprains, strains, and just about any other pain. If you do ingest comfrey, supplement with liver-supporting herbs. You can use crushed fresh leaves, chopped-up fresh roots, or powdered comfrey. Start with your infused oil and add 1 ounce of beeswax per cup of oil. © The I’ve generally had good luck growing it from seed in seed trays, but never the (virtually) 100% success rate of root cuttings. Hydrotherapy, or water therapy, helps increase circulation in the prostate while helping to relax and open the urinary tract. Cover this with another cloth and slide it into a zipper-lock bag. Young leaves also have a higher concentration of PAs than older leaves. You can make a comfrey poultice with the leaf or the root. For example, I can’t get lambsquarters to grow in my yard, and that should be a piece of cake. Its moisturizing property nourishes dry skin and makes you glow. You can consume comfrey by making a tea, decoction, tonics from it or apply it externally in the form of compress, creams, poultice, ointments, etc. Check your herbs periodically for dryness. During those 4 weeks I did biking and skiiing using only my left hand. 325afbbb-3f0c-4d79-a990-0a3124a44907 : Recipe for Marigold decoction 327fc55f-4bd0-45c2-984c-c6ad62dac8c2 : Treasure map XI 32ad55e4-fb31-406c-a8d0-706872ba206e : Recipe for Nighthawk potion 33f044a1-c7b1-497d-adbb-b514cb440fc5 : The Prince-Electors 3426fb05-4786-493b-a64e-6c976aaa5321 : The Peculiar Siege of Prague Comfrey, , Herbs, Old Blog Format. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2006.11.006. It’s usually pretty hardy, but it’s not invincible. 1 inch turmeric root or 1 teaspoon turmeric powder; 1 glass milk; What You Have To Do. Wash the turmeric root thoroughly. Lay out a cloth and pour the mixture onto it. 8. A superb cleansing tonic and the milky juice is a diuretic, a tonic and a relief for common stomach problems. I do have one caution. Dandelion and Burdock might (or might not) be your favorite childhood tipple; but Burdock is an incredibly cleansing herb that actively helps heal psoriasis, acne, boils, and eczema. If you notice this starting to happen, just remove the bag, tie it off, and let it float in your bath like a tea bag. One comment she made was, "Selling supplements might yield a handsome profit to some doctors. But we must remember that the presence of liver damage does not automatically mean that comfrey was to blame. Put powdered or crushed comfrey into a clean sock or cloth bag and tie it so that water from the faucet will flow through it. Medical research confirms comfrey’s value in treating pains and injuries. In writing these herb profiles, I usually have more information than can fit in a reasonable length. I believe she refers to Symphytum officinale as “wild comfrey”, and says that it has yellow blooms. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 2003.p/note] Various preparation methods may impart greater or lesser levels of PAs. Shake the jar up once a day for the first week or so. 8. And some, like Susan Weed, have been taking and recommending nourishing herbal infusions of comfrey for years with no apparent ill effects. Mine has self-seeded a moderate amount, but hasn’t tried to take over. If your seeds won’t grow even in a controlled environment, you may have Russian comfrey (Symphytum uplandica x Symphytum officinale). Comfrey (leaf) Lavender (flowers) Lemon balm (leaf) Plantain (leaf) Rosemary (leaf) ... They’re made as an infusion or as a decoction, and once cooled you can use herbal water to make skin creams or to use as lotions and rinses. Learn the 7 stages of becoming a Medicine Woman or Medicine Man. Too many vitamins, too much sunshine, too much water, and too much breathing. Uses: The ground root can act as a coffee substitute, and the flowers make a lovely wine. bees so love it too. Accessed September 21, 2019. https://canvas.instructure.com/courses/1087997/pages/comfrey-monograph?module_item_id=11302739. Excellent article! Some give the full-strength brew to their plants. “Comfrey Monograph.” The Homegrown School of Botanical Medicine. Those who are hesitant about using comfrey internally may still find it useful in some near-internal applications. Use herbs like Valerian, Crampbark, and Scullcap to help relax muscles. “Randomized Double-Blind Study: Wound-Healing Effects of a Symphytum Herb Extract Cream (Symphytum×Uplandicum Nyman) in Children.”, Grube, B., J. Grünwald, L. Krug, and C. Staiger. Use 1-3 teaspoons of dried comfrey root per 1 cup of water. The demulcent and astringent properties of comfrey help to soothe and tone the kidneys and bladder, while comfrey’s vulnerary properties help to heal damage in these areas.27)Jones, Patrick. 1. But you can also dilute it to spread the nutrients around. Accessed September 21, 2019. https://canvas.instructure.com/courses/1087997/pages/comfrey-monograph?module_item_id=11302739. Common names get sticky, but I am also aware of a “wild comfrey” (Cynoglossum virginianum) with light blue blooms. For cold infusions, pour cold water over the comfrey and let it stand for 6-8 hours. It will grow just about anywhere (although it seems partial to shady spots) and has been used in medicine for a long time. Not only does it speed up recovery on the surface level, but the primary constituent, allantoin, penetrates into the tissues of the body to speed healing of sprains, strains, and even broken bones.13)“The Safe Ways To Use Comfrey Oil.” Mercola.com. Always seek the advice of a qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Also recommended are hot and cold packs applied to the prostate area (between the scrotum and anus), the hot to cold ratio should be 4:1, 2-3X/day. Radix) Extract Ointment in the Treatment of Patients with Painful Osteoarthritis of the Knee: Results of a Double-Blind, Randomised, Bicenter, Placebo-Controlled Trial.” Phytomedicine 14, no. Accessed September 21, 2019. https://herbmentor.learningherbs.com/herb/comfrey/#marker-1080-14. “Weeds: What They Tell Us and Why You Should Care”, “5 Keys to Food Security in Extreme Weather, for Home Gardeners”, “35+ Powerful, Inexpensive Organic Fertilizers You Can DIY”. Must get it to my garden, it is growing abundantly here around near Helsinki, Finland. It’s anti-inflammatory, demulcent, and astringent attributes combine to reduce swelling, soothe, protect, and tone inured, angry tissues.23)Pedersen, Mark. During the Middle Ages, comfrey enjoyed great popularity as a medicinal herb. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2005.06.001. The mission of the Prostatitis Foundation is to educate the public about the prevalence of prostatitis Learn how your comment data is processed. So is comfrey safe to use internally or not? Hot infusions are faster, but cold infusions are better at drawing out the mucilage. There simply haven’t been human safety trials with comfrey. Accessed September 21, 2019. https://canvas.instructure.com/courses/1087997/pages/comfrey-monograph?module_item_id=11302739. Young children, and pregnant or nursing mothers, should not take comfrey internally. I would suggest obtaining a root division from a knowledgable and reliable grower instead of attempting to grow from seed. Heat this with a double boiler and stir until the wax is thoroughly incorporated. Use medicinal herbs with antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties such as Echinacea, Goldenseal, and Garlic, to help reduce inflammation and knock out infection. Personally, I disagree. PAs are plant compounds which can range from harmless to deadly. The roots can be harvested at any time. Comfrey Symphytum officinale AKA Bruisewort, Knitbone, Boneset, Healing Herb Parts used: Roots and leaves Comfrey contains allantoin, a chemical which promotes the growth of new cells and helps relieve inflammation. “Tolerability and Effectiveness of an Antitrauma Cream with Comfrey Herb Extract in Pediatric Use with Application on Intact and on Broken Skin.” International Journal of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine 5, no. But they’re not nearly as bad as cactus needles. Close the lid and shake it all up. Accessed September 21, 2019. https://articles.mercola.com/herbal-oils/comfrey-oil.aspx. Imagine how it can heal with the help of comfrey! jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_922777_13').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_922777_13', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [5, 5], });14)Staiger, Christiane. They have less moisture, which lowers the chance of spoilage. I do the best I can to select the information I think will be most useful. Hello Nancy! Google has many special features to help you find exactly what you're looking for. It can also counts the total number of words in a sentence, checks if a word is a palindrome and can generate a new sentence with almost the same meaning using synonyms … Hi KarenBeesley. [note]Kucera, Alexander, Milos Barna, Simona Holcova, Ondrej Horacek, Marie Hladiková, and Bertram Ottillinger. 11. As you can see, it get a bit dizzying after a while. And all went well. Comfrey has a rich folkloric history as well. The slower method involves packing a glass jar with comfrey leaves and then pouring oil over them. It can be grown fairly easily from seed and is criminally easy to propagate from root cuttings. In one study, rats were force-fed egregiously large amounts of comfrey. Comfrey is a versatile herb that you can grow pretty easily in your garden or in a container, and then harvest and dry for ritual use. ... Comfrey: Brew a comfrey tea to help with general healing, or use a juice from the pressed leaves for a poultice for minor cuts and abrasions. One exception might be the liver. Eat lightly. Adder's Tongue: Stops gossip and slander, promotes healing. Jones, Patrick. However, various species and varieties can have other colors, including white and yellow. It also works great when applied topically. If you do ingest comfrey, you would probably benefit from taking it with liver protecting herbs, such as milk thistle or cleavers. ......................................................................................... Dietary Supplements--Check the research 5-12-11. Allantoin, a compound present in comfrey, also prevents inflammation, acne, and skin irritation. Medical Herbalism the Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. If you’re having trouble keeping the poultice in place, try spraying the area with comfrey tea using a spray bottle. Warsaw, IN: Whitman Publications, 2010. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_922777_28').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_922777_28', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [5, 5], }); Comfrey also can also be used as a soothing and healing eyewash. Nevertheless, the topic of comfrey consumption is a heated debate, with herbalists taking positions on all sides. “Comfrey: A Clinical Overview.” Phytotherapy Research, 2012. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.4612 jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_922777_22').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_922777_22', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [5, 5], }); “Head Wound Healing of Tissue Defects Using Herbs”, “How To Make Calendula Oil … And Why You Should”.