Comfrey Leaf safe to eat? Much controversy surrounds the actual safety of taking comfrey internally as food, mind you comfrey was consumed internally for centuries in Greek medicine and by European doctors for respiratory and digestive problems. This is fine if you're constipated, or a surgeon wants to operate on your digestive system and doesn't feel like working around last night's dinner. Comfrey contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids some of which can harm the liver so some foragers no longer consider this a safe plant to eat but we still eat comfrey fritters from time to time as have many people with no obvious ill effects. The dominant culture hs moved to embrace herbal ism, and it is no longer seen as fringe. The second way is to spread the leaves as a mulch beneath, say, your tomatoes. Wrap it with cloth or a bandage to hold it in place. It contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are believed to cause liver problems when taken internally. Definitely do not use during pregnancy or nursing, with infants, and if you have liver or kidney disease. Personally, we have and continue to use comfrey for ourselves and our pets. Topically, comfrey root and leaf extracts have been traditionally used for bruises, sore muscles and joints, sprains, mild wounds, and gout (Natural Medicines, 2020). Senna leaf is known to irritate the lining of the bowels, which has a laxative effect. I prefer to use a sprayer and spray the soil around the plants and all of the leaves. Is Comfrey Safe for Dogs? Comfrey is readily available at most nurseries, and it’s pretty easy to cultivate at home. Fill a pint jar about ½ to ⅔rds full of dried comfrey leaf, then cover the plant material with your carrier oil of choice. The products of comfrey cream are easy to find on the internet and at most organic grocers and health food stores. • One: An herbal group that I belong to sent three samples of comfrey leaf (one from the west coast, one from the east coast, and one from the Rocky Mountains) to a lab to be tested for the problematic alkaloids; they found none. Can I take Comfrey while breastfeeding? Is Comfrey Safe? David Hoffmann B.Sc., FNIMH (thanks to David for sharing this says jim) Recent years have seen profound cultural changes that are transforming the sociopolitical environment within which the practice of herbalism is flowering. TATTOO CARE- calendula officials, stellaria media, st. johns wort, rosemary oil, plantago major, commiphora myrrha, comfrey leaf, salvia officinalis, sunflower oil salve If this SPL contains inactivated NDCs listed by the FDA initiated compliance action, they will be specified as such. How can I be so sure that cultivated comfrey is safe to consume internally? All cases involve comfrey; in at least three, there are suggestions of overdose or abuse of the plant. On one side, we see herbalists claiming there is potential for harm when taking comfrey internally, and therefore it must be avoided. The FDA classifies plants containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids, including comfrey, as a serious health hazard to consumers due to potential carcinogenicity. There are also disagreements about the efficacy & safety of leaves vs. root. Posts: 1. posted 7 years ago. Comfrey leaf skin preparations have not been shown to damage the liver. Before making this salve, you will need to make a comfrey infused oil. However, if you consume it regularly in teas, it will not be fine. Not for Internal Use. Consuming comfrey roots or leaves caused liver cancer in rats. Although ingesting comfrey is not recommended, using comfrey externally is considered safe and can be very helpful for supporting the healing process with breaks, sprains, and strains, as well as minor shallow-cut skin injuries and burns. harvesting and preparation The leaves and root are the parts used and both can be used in their fresh or dried state. The clinical safety is very high in these new products and comfrey ointments would certainly not be allowed by the FDA or MHRA if there were any safety concerns. Feed the Plants. *A note on pyrrolizidine alkaloids found in comfrey and coltsfoot: The pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) in comfrey are not therapeutic, and are found in many foods and are toxic to the liver; however, humans would need to ingest 4.5kg of comfrey leaves per day in order to experience liver toxicity assuming that each leaf contained 5mg of PAs. Healing Comfrey Salve Recipe. So far I have done my best to report what we know about comfrey from scientific tests and case studies. Often added with Mugwort, Comfrey Leaf can aid one to induce prophetic dreams and visions. It is rich in protein, antioxidants and vitamin B12. My dad lived to be 85 and never had arthritis and neither do I and I'm 63. Research on the Topical Use of Comfrey. They are widely used in cosmetics, herbal medicine and also in new pharmaceutical treatments for arthritis. Make sure you water the base of the plant when using this method. The root (whether dried or fresh) is not normally taken internally - see 'dosage and cautions' page for more info. Comfrey is LIKELY UNSAFE for anyone when taken by mouth. Different strains of comfrey have different medicinal potencies. The healing agents in comfrey are concentrated in the petiole, or leaf stalk, and the flower stalk. (3) It’s even been shown to ease tight muscles and support a healthy inflammatory process. Crush or powder the plant material and mix with water to form a paste. Although some herbalists continue the tradition of using comfrey internally, mainly through teas and infusions, my use of comfrey is strictly for external applications. That said, the downside is that the dosage can be variable. Safety. Comfrey also contains rosmarinic acid and tannins that help skin grow. Finding information pertaining to comfrey for dogs online is, like the drug itself, kind of a thorny issue. Completely safe for topical use. It badly affects the undeveloped liver of fetus and causes venous-occlusive disease. Comfrey has a high carbon to nitrogen ratio - ideal for most plants. There are those who insist it’s a safe herbal treatment in all ways and those who feel it’s an unsafe herbal treatment. Comfrey poultices should be left in place for several hours (overnight is ideal). Infected Wounds Comfrey is not advised for pregnant or lactating mothers. You can make a comfrey poultice with the leaf or the root. FDA Advises Dietary Supplement Manufacturers to Remove Comfrey Products From the Market. Because comfrey plants grow so rapidly, feel free to harvest the leaves several times a season. FDA 2001. Jenelle Espen. Many people have used comfrey internally with no reported ill effects, and it is probably safe to use internally for short periods. Comfrey is not recommended for internal use because of the liver damage caused by its pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Comfrey preparations have been used topically for pain following episiotomy and cracked, painful nipples, either as aqueous preparations or in creams and ointments. Other helpful ingredients and compounds found include hydroxy cinnamon acid derivatives, as well as mucopolysaccharides. Patients with hypersensitivity or allergic reactions to the plant should also avoid external use. I use dried comfrey leaf that I harvest from my garden and dry on homemade drying screens.You can also purchase organic dried comfrey leaf from Mountain Rose Herbs.. Some studies show the leaf to be almost alkaloid free -- thus safe. Comfrey is listed in the schedule under its botanical name Symphytum. When I was a kid my dad grew comfrey leaves and we only used the leaves and put it in salads, but I read yesterday 7/12/2013 that it isn't good for you. I use lots of comfrey leaf, brewed as a strong infusion (put one ounce dry herb in a quart jar, add boiling water to top, cap tightly, steep overnight); but I rarely use comfrey root -- if for no other reason than that comfrey will colonize the garden if her roots are disturbed. Is that true? Comfrey tea is prepared by steeping the dried leaves of the comfrey plant, which bears the scientific name Symphytum officinale. Though it does not affect the mother, it can turn toxic for the unborn. Comfrey leaf and root contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PLAs), a group of toxic compounds that can cause damage to the liver. Comfrey leaf has been used since Roman times, dating back thousands of years. The hybridized comfrey that is big, tall and has blue or purple flowers was cultivated specifically to be eaten as a green at the dinner table by the entire family with the alkaloids being bred out of the leaf almost, if not entirely. The leaf and root of the comfrey (Symphytum officinale) plant have been used in supplements.Supplement use has been orally for ulcers, diarrhea, … Herbalist Lesley Bremness suggests soaking comfrey leaves in water to use as compost “tea,” which adds needed potassium to mineral-poor soil, as well as potato and tomato plants. HAND GOO- calendula officials, stellaria media, st. johns wort, rosemary oil, plantago major, commiphora myrrha, comfrey leaf, salvia officinalis, sunflower oil salve If this SPL contains inactivated NDCs listed by the FDA initiated compliance action, they will be specified as such. This herb has been utilized in folk medicine throughout Europe and North America and has been widely cultivated. I would highly recommend trying out this product if you’re interested in finding a natural immune-boosting substance that doesn’t cost too much. Comfrey dried leaf and root are available to buy in our herbal shop. Benefits of Comfrey: Treading Murky Waters - Is Comfrey Safe or Not? harvesting and preparation. Much debate surrounds the safety of comfrey due to various parts and preparations containing potentially toxic alkaloids. Using comfrey orally and on open wounds are strictly restricted by the FDA. It will not produce seeds. Some recent human studies have demonstrated that extracts may help with ankle sprains, knee pain and stiffness, backaches, and mild skin abrasions. FDA Safety Alerts and Advisories. Commonly, capsules with the extract, contain whole-leaf comfrey. The particulars of his case are blurred. Comfrey is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when applied to unbroken skin in small amounts for less than 10 days. Absorption of these chemicals increases if the skin is broken or if large amounts are applied. It should be avoided during pregnancy, lactation, when cancer or tumors are present, or when there is a history of liver problems. To be on the safe side, go for a higher dilution of 1 part tea to 15 parts water. This oil is considered toxic for liver due to pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Three things have convinced me. The leaves of this plant have been in use for thousands of years, both in Chinese traditional medicine and dating as far back as the ancient Greeks. I would never ingest comfrey root of any kind, considering the high amounts of poison in it. You can water the plants with a watering can as per normal. Comfrey (Symphytum officinalis) herb and leaf contains allantoin and rosmarinic acid; comfrey also contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Is Comfrey Safe? I would like to briefly summarize the debate about comfrey amongst herbalists. WHICH plant, I don't know. Apply this thickly and liberally to the desired area. For Ankle Distortions. Homemade comfrey salve has its benefits…you know what’s in it, how the comfrey was grown (if you grew it) and it can save money compared to buying prepared comfrey salves. It's important to remember that the poisonous chemicals in comfrey can pass through the skin. Quantity is the key, a little every now and again is not likely to cause any harm. 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