However, it’s during this detoxification process that an oxidative reaction occurs, which results in the formation of toxic metabolites known as pyrrole-like intermediates—these are the true cause of comfrey’s toxic effect as these metabolites bind to proteins, RNA, and DNA and are the primary cause of the hepatotoxicity that causes liver damage (Hoffmann, 2003). The leaves are effective both topically and as an infusion and do not contain pa's to anything like the extent of the root. The toxic effect of PAs is not a new phenomenon, and many cases of PA poisoning, from mild to severe and even fatal, have been reported (Hoffmann, 2003); however, the toxic effect of PAs in comfrey is where the debate is focused. Both have medicinal properties but the root is believed to be better because it has a higher concentration of potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus and silicon. When it comes to the internal use of comfrey, some herbalists are comfortable continuing to use comfrey internally with a few cautions. Certain types of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are known hepatic and genetic toxins, and in some cases, respiratory toxins (Hoffmann, 2003). Gardner, Z., & McGuffin, M. Topical comfrey is for use only on the skin. First, comfrey is only suggested for healthy individuals who have no history of liver disease or liver function issues, are not taking medications that reduce liver function, and are not pregnant or nursing. Lastly, most herbalists who use comfrey internally only do so for short periods of time to decrease exposure to PAs. Comfrey has been used for over 2,000 years in Chinese medicine to heal wounds and bones. International Journal of Experimental Pathology, 74(2), 211-217. (2018). That being said, based on case reports of liver disease in individuals taking the leaf or root of unspecified. (Eds.). Information about Comfrey leaf constituents presented as an equivalent to alcohol/tobacco masquerading under the freedom of informed choice ( as used by all trendy ultra conservatives) amounts to guilt by association - a standard tactic of what I call scaremongering. Research shows that some Comfrey Leaf and Root components are useful in cell repair and have anti-inflammatory effects. >I have a healthy crop of comfrey, courtesy of a friend, growing in my garden. (Note that Mei et al. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 5, CD010538. Cool and strain. The common variety is quite weedy and spreads around the garden. Please simply create an account before buying/booking any courses. It grows as a root stick with branches coming from the stalk and only gets to about 2–3 feet tall. Date: 27 May 1995 23:04:09 +0100. Herbalists also choose comfrey species that are known to contain less toxic PAs. contain the more toxic macrocyclic diester PAs (Hoffmann, 2003) and higher levels of echimidine, which has exhibited a more toxic effect (Gardner & McGuffin, 2013). Much debate surrounds the safety of comfrey due to various parts … (Eds.). Tilgner, S.M. Animal studies on the internal use of comfrey are plentiful but often show mixed results. Comfrey is available under the following different brand names: Black Root, Blackwort, Bruisewort, Common Comfrey, Gum Plant, Healing herb, Knitbone, Prickley Comfrey, Salsify, Slippery Root, Symphytum officinale, and Wallwort. Comfrey is a plant. Traditionally, comfrey has been used for hundreds of years, both internally and externally. I answered the original posters question - you are scaremongering. Seremet, O.C., Barbuceanu, F., Ionica, F.E., Margina, D.M., Gutu, C.M.,Olaru, O.T., … Chirita, C. (2006). Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Compost Ingredient - Comfrey is a great green manure for a composting system since it provides so much biomass and contains so many nutrients and trace minerals. Comfrey is likley unsafe to take by mouth. What is Comfrey? While cases of veno-occlusive liver disease have been reported by individuals taking comfrey leaf or root, it is not known which species of comfrey was used, and dosage and frequency varied among individuals as well, thus making it difficult to come to a conclusion. 97 ($7.49/Fl Oz) Add just enough water to turn it into a thick, wet paste, not too runny and not too dry. In this article, we will look at the benefits of comfrey and its traditional uses, its constituents and their physiological effects in the body, how comfrey is typically used internally and externally, and the safety facts that herbalists need to be aware of when using comfrey. While both comfrey leaf and root are well known for their mucilage content and associated demulcent action, the root is more demulcent than the leaf. > (BTW - Ignore any posts that follow from the resident afh scaremongers. To make an ointment to use externally, take 1 cup of finely cut comfrey root and simmer in 1 cup of olive oil until it starts to soften. . Mutagenicity of comfrey (. You not only CAN use the leaves, but SHOULD do so. The high content of antioxidants, as well as vitamin C, makes comfrey pastes and salves the ideal solution for speeding up the healing of wounds. Common comfrey is found escaped from cultivation in all New England states. It is the tannin that is solely responsible for making comfrey herb so effective in controlling bleeding. Since a chemical in isolation behaves differently than when present in a whole plant, rats are different than humans, different routes of administration can affect toxicity, and it is sometimes unclear which comfrey species (S. officinale or S. uplandicum) was used, there is dissension among herbalists regarding this decision and whether comfrey is indeed toxic to a healthy human (Hoffmann, 2003) when used in appropriate dosages and frequencies. Do not use different forms (tablets, liquid, tincture, teas, etc) of comfrey at the same time without medical advice. A strong decoction, or tea, is recommended in cases of internal haemorrhage, whether from the lungs, stomach, bowels or from bleeding piles -to be taken every two hours till the haemorrhage ceases, in severe cases, a teaspoonful of Witch Hazel extract being added to the Comfrey root tea. Wrap it with cloth or a bandage to hold it in place. Comfrey used to be used extensively for tuberculosis and irritating dry lung complaints in general. Topical herbal therapies for treating osteoarthritis. Pleasant Hill, OR: Wise Acres Publishing. Some varieties produce … PA toxicity occurs when unsaturated PAs are absorbed from the intestines and passed to the liver to be metabolized. You can also try using comfrey as mulch or as a compost enhancer. British Journal of Cancer, 92(5), 873–875. Comfrey is most commonly taken as a tea, a tincture or a poultice. Comfrey is the common name for a perennial called S ymphytum officinale which grows quickly in zones 4-9, produces lots of large leaves and has pink or white flowers which are not overly ornamental. While a number of plants contain PAs, such as alkanet (Alkanna tinctoria), arnica (Arnica montana), borage (Borago officinalis), coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara), comfrey (Symphytum spp. It is often grown in medicinal gardens or for use as a natural fertilizer. The Herbal Academy makes neither medical claim, nor intends to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Its use as a medicinal herb is controversial as it is known to contain toxic alkaloids. Gardner, Z., & McGuffin, M. Well Dan, the point is what is your agenda? Compared to true comfrey (Symphytum officinale), species of comfrey such as Russian comfrey (Symphytum x uplandicum) and prickly comfrey (Symphytum asperum) contain the more toxic macrocyclic diester PAs (Hoffmann, 2003) and higher levels of echimidine, which has exhibited a more toxic effect (Gardner & McGuffin, 2013). Your comments however simply constitute part of the problem of scaremongering, not part of the solution. Dosages of Comfrey: Historically daily doses of leaf ranged from 5 … This just provides information that people can use in their decision to smoke or not smoke, to drink or not drink. Infected Wounds. Saturated PAs are considered non-toxic, while unsaturated PAs are considered toxic (Hoffmann, 2003).

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