Comfrey (also known as Symphytum) is a shrub that may be found growing throughout Europe, Asia, and North America.
The comfrey plant’s roots and leaves have long been utilised in traditional medicine in many regions of the world. For almost 2,000 years, the herb has been collected and utilised as a traditional therapy in Japan. Originally, it was known as “knitbone.”
Comfrey has been used as a medicinal herb for ages. Efficacy and safety of comfrey preparations for the topical treatment of pain, inflammation, and swelling of muscles and joints in degenerative arthritis, acute myalgia in the back, sprains, contusions, and strains after sports injuries and accidents, as well as in children aged 3 or 4 and over, have been demonstrated in multiple randomized controlled trials. Comfrey has also been used in veterinary medicine.
Comfrey has also been utilised in Europe to treat inflammatory diseases including arthritis and gout. It’s also been used by some traditional healers to cure diarrhoea and other gastrointestinal problems.
Allantoin and rosmarinic acid are chemical compounds found in the roots and leaves of the comfrey plant. Allantoin promotes the formation of new skin cells, while rosmarinic acid relieves inflammation and discomfort. Extracts of the roots and leaves are still used to make ointments, lotions, and salves. The amount of comfrey in these products is usually between 5 and 20%.
Comfrey’s medicinal qualities are based on its anti-inflammatory and analgesic characteristics. Comfrey also promotes granulation and tissue regeneration, as well as the development of calluses. The efficacy of a registered medicine containing comfrey herb extract was evaluated on 105 individuals suffering from locomotor system symptoms in another open uncontrolled trial . Two times a day, the cream was administered. In 57 of the 105 patients, functional impairments and discomfort were totally cured. With continuing fairly severe pain, another 24 individuals were able to return to normal function.
Comfrey is well-known for its health advantages, but it also has certain drawbacks. It includes chemicals that are potentially harmful to your liver. Comfrey may be safe to use on your skin and in closed wounds for a short period of time. A variety of health stores provide topical comfrey treatments. Before using them, talk to your doctor to learn more about the possible advantages and dangers.
