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Symphytum officinale (Boraginaceae)
COMFREY, KNITBONE, BLACKWORT, BRUISEWORT
One of the best-established
herbal remedies for the treatment of wounds, sprains, and strains, it is
also used to heal broken bones, hence its other common name, knitbone.
A plant high in protein, comfrey is used as an animal feed and organic manure as well as a medicine.
The name knitbone derives from its useful property of healing broken bones and wounds;
it has even been used by orthopaedic surgeons on complicated bone fractures.
This property has been known at least since Roman times, when it was named conferva, meaning to join together.
Recently there has been concern that the pyrrolizidine alkaloids contained in comfrey may damage the liver.
However, this has been shown only with high doses of plant extracts and not with normal therapeutic doses of whole herb.
A native of Europe and Asia, comfrey thrives on moist or wet wasteland and meadows.
It is a perennial with a deep black root, bristly green stems, and large, succulent, hairy leaves.
White, pink or purple, bell-shaped flowers are produced throughout the spring and summer.
PARTS USED
Whole herb, root.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
Allantoin; pyrrolizidine alkaloids; phenolic acids,
including rosmarinic, chlorogenic, and caffeic; mucilage; choline; tannins; saponins.
ACTIONS
Soothes internal body surfaces; promotes wound healing;
stimulates bone, connective tissue and cartilage repair; soothing astringent; relaxing expectorant.
MEDICINAL USE
Used externally as a healing agent on wounds, ulcers,
fractures, and sprains and strains of muscles and joints.
It is given internally for stomach ulcers and erosions, colitis (inflammation of the intestines), and bronchitis.
PREPARATIONS
Dried herb and root, cream, tincture.
CAUTION
Because of concern about the pyrrolizidine alkaloids,
internal treatment should be restricted to a few weeks only; external application need not be restricted.
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