Symphytum officinale (Comfrey)

Question 1

How do you recognise Comfrey?

Answer 1

• A hairy robust herb of up to 1.5 metres tall with large ovate decurrent leaves. Flowers cream or purple.
• Hybridises easily with other Symphytums & S. x uplandicum, Russian comfrey is also used.
• Native to Europe, introduced elsewhere.
• Has a long history of use for sprains, bruises and broken bones. The word Symphytum derives from the Greek “to make whole” & comfrey means ‘to knit together’.
• Can rot down the leaves to make a really good compost - cut it, pack it into a bucket with holes in, and it turns into a black liquid which you can dilute down for your plants.

Question 2

What are Comfrey ‘s main constituents?

Answer 2

Constituents:
* Allantoin – stimulates cell proliferation & tissue repair; antiinflammatory.
* Mucilage.
* Tannins.
* Phytosterols – anti-inflammatory.
* Phenolic acids – anti-inflammatory.
* Steroidal saponins.
* Silicic acid – promotes elasticity of connective tissue.
* Pyrrolizidine alkaloids – possibly including toxic ones such as
echimidine

Question 3

What family is Comfrey in?

Answer 3

Boraginaceae

Question 4

What is Comfrey good for?

Answer 4

Summary: Very good for breaks, sprains and so on, but also for inflammation and bleeding in the gut BUT care needed if taken internally. If you externally be careful as you can seal in dirt as it works so fast.

Actions:
* Anti-inflammatory.
* Cell proliferant.
* Demulcent (and yet also…..)
* Astringent.
* Vulnerary.
* Anti-rheumatic.

Applications: Internally if deemed safe:
* Inflammation & bleeding anywhere in GIT.
* Broken bones, sore muscles, sprains, bruises & to promote healing after surgery.
* To heal wounds.
* Rheumatoid and osteo arthritis.
* Bronchial irritation and infection.

Externally:
* Broken bones, sore muscles, sprains, bruises & to promote healing after surgery.
* To heal wounds

Question 5

What is Comfrey ‘s Latin name?

Answer 5

Symphytum officinale

Question 6

What parts of Comfrey do you use?

Answer 6

Parts used: root and leaf.

Question 7

What safety issues might Comfrey have?

Answer 7

Internal use questioned over the last 20 years because of the possibly toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the plant which can damage the liver. Use of the root outlawed in UK. Concentrations of PAs in leaf are lower.
Hairs on fresh plant can be irritant.

Question 8

What useful research does Comfrey have?

Answer 8

External links:
* Symphytum Species: A Comprehensive Review on Chemical Composition, Food Applications and Phytopharmacology from 2019. Has a weird focus on possible use in food preservation and upon anti-microbial actions…
* Symphytum: History, Resources and References compiled by
Nancy Shirley, a farmer in the USA with a keen interest in comfrey. She mostly seems to be arguing that comfrey is safe. Includes a page showing contradictory research re pyrrolizine
alkaloids.

Question 9

What remedies might you use Comfrey in?

Answer 9

• Dosage: 30-100ml/week of 1:3 tincture of leaf, short term
• Bendle says herbalists not allowed to give root internally, but he does sometimes use leaves internally.
• He is taking some St Johns Wort, Comfrey (leaf) and Turmeric to help heal his hand wound after surgery.