Make sure to always buy comfrey (Symphytum officianale) root and leaf from a trusted source. This leads to cirrhosis and eventually liver failure. This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Knit bone, Eucalyptus, Rapeseed Oil, BHA. Instructions. The leaves and stems of comfrey contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can cause toxic damage if ingested in excess (Ulbricht, 2010). Set on a sunny windowsill and shake once a day for 2-4 weeks. Tolerability and effectiveness of an antitrauma cream with comfrey herb extract in pediatric use with application on intact and on broken skin. Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Check regularly, but it should take about six weeks for all the leaves to break down into a thick, black liquid. Amendments to the poison list. Metabolism, genotoxicity, and carcinogenicity of comfrey. To use on established plants, dilute 1 part comfrey fertilizer in 15 parts water. View abstract. Potters Herbal Comfrey Oil is a soothing aromatic herbal massage oil. Preclinical studies suggest that oral comfrey has antiproliferative effects , and a topical formulation showed wound healing properties . Bleakley, C. M., McDonough, S. M., and MacAuley, D. C. Some conservative strategies are effective when added to controlled mobilisation with external support after acute ankle sprain: a systematic review. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. Br J Sports Med. 2012;20(11):1209-16. doi:10.1016/j.joca.2012.07.019, Zago LR, Prado K, Benedito VL, Pereira MM. What Are the Side Effects of Comfrey Cream? cup organic, unrefined cocoa butter Phytomedicine. After 2-4 weeks have passed, strain the root from the alcohol using a coffee filter inserted in a wire mesh strainer or similar setup. These third-party organizations test products to ensure they were manufactured safely and contain the ingredients indicated on the labeling without contaminants. The Herbal Academy neither endorses them nor is in any way responsible for their content. Medicine makers would bind comfrey leaves and roots in poultices, then apply those poultices to the skin to treat injuries. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 83, 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yrtph.2016.11.015. Herb & Supplement Guide. 2013;27(6):811-7. Liver injury from herbal and dietary supplements. No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease. Available for Android and iOS devices. Dosage: How Much Comfrey Cream Should I Use? Two interesting studies found that a topical application of a product containing comfrey root extract helped with knee pain and stiffness. Copyright Holland & Barrett Retail Limited, 2022. Remove from heat. Please read the Topical Use Safety section of this article (above) before using. 2021;83:e249209. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed). Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use. Read our. Results of an observational study of patients]. Public Health Nutr 2000;3:501-8. The ankle swelling decreased by 79.5% in the comfrey root group and 69.4% in the diclofenac group. (10), 707-714. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2005.06.001. Br.J Sports Med. Eucalyptus oil is used externally to stimulate blood flow. This is memorable if you have worked with it, and some use this quality to remember comfreys centuries-long useapplying comfrey over bones, bruises, sprains, and minor wounds with the intention to support mending! Browse our Sports Hub, Get 20% student discount with Student Beans, Discover the latest natural beauty products. The Pharmaceutical Journal, PJ, December 2007. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Efficacy of a comfrey root extract ointment in comparison to a Diclo-fenac gel in the treatment of ankle distortions: Results of an observer-blind, randomized, multicenter study. Supplement use should be individualized and vetted by a healthcare professional, such as a registered dietician, pharmacist, or healthcare provider. Hybrids and other species may have a similar appearance but could have significantly different amounts of the toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (Kucera et al., 2018). It is not certain whether comfrey is effective in treating any medical condition. Grube, B., Grnwald, J., Krug, L., & Staiger, C. (2007). Many have said that it has helped them with a variety of aches and pains! There is no daily recommended allowance for comfrey, sold in creams, ointments, gels, and salves. Hepatology. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Book your free, one-to-one online consultation with one of our qualified advisors. Safety Alerts & Advisories: FDA Advises Dietary Supplement Manufacturers to Remove Comfrey Products From the Market. After the tincture is made, then you can whip up the fabulous joint and muscle cream! To reduce the risk of side effects, never apply comfrey cream to broken skin or open wounds as it may be more highly absorbed by the body. It is easily absorbed to leave your skin feeling fresh, soft and radiant. Treatment with 4Jointz reduces knee pain over 12 weeks of treatment in patients with clinical knee osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled trial. CBD oils being bought in high street stores such as Boots and Holland & Barrett are weak, low quality and don't provide the actual therapeutic advantages. A member of the borage family, comfrey root, leaves, and stems have an obvious coat of bristly hair. Inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis and PAF-induced exocytosis. 211727395. Comfrey contains chemicals called. Its ready when the mixture has solidified somewhat and has a cloudy, creamy, and slightly runny consistency. Poisons Legislation Circular 3-22-1993;60. Can quickly relieve muscle and joint pain. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. Our associates are qualified to advise, visit us online or in store for unparalleled advice. Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs. The comfrey plant, Symphytum officinale, gets its name from the Latin confervere, meaning to grow together. Laslett, L. L., Quinn, S. J., Darian-Smith, E., Kwok, M., Fedorova, T., Korner, H., Steels, E., March, L., and Jones, G. Treatment with 4Jointz reduces knee pain over 12 weeks of treatment in patients with clinical knee osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled trial. about an hour two nites. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. of India has issued Environment Impact Assessment EIA Notification dated 14th September, 2006 for according Environment Clearance(EC) to 8 categories of industries/projects by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. root extraction help ease aching joints and muscles? A systematic review and quality assessment of case reports of adverse events for borage (Borago officinalis), coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) and comfrey (Symphytum officinale). The first European settlers of America considered comfrey so indispensable, they carried it on their journey across the Atlantic in the 1600s.2. However, even if supplements are third-party tested, that doesn't mean they are necessarily safe for all or effective in general. 2010;73(2):97-100. Arzneimittelforschung. Topically, comfrey root and leaf extracts have been traditionally used for bruises, sore muscles and joints, sprains, mild wounds, and gout (Natural Medicines, 2020). Be sure to use comfrey root from a reputable source that has properly identified the species. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Resuscitation 2008;76(3):323-324. Company number 02758955 Registered VAT number 211727395. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 1/8 cup comfrey tincture (Symphytum officinale), store bought or via recipe, above. Whenselecting a brand of supplements, look for products certified by Consumer Labs, the U.S.Pharmacopeia, or NSF. Published 2021 Sep 20. doi:10.1590/1519-6984.249209, Frost R, MacPherson H, O'Meara S. A critical scoping review of external uses of comfrey (Symphytum spp.). Whether youve been hiking, biking, playing, or enjoying water sports, comfrey cream can be a wonderful ally in supporting achy muscles that result from physical, summertime activities. Stop using comfrey and call your healthcare provider at once if you have: liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Find out how to use it here along with its benefits. radix) extract ointment in the treatment of patients with painful osteoarthritis of the knee: Results of a double-blind, randomised, bicenter, placebo-controlled trial. What alternatives to comfrey cream are there for back pain? Symphytum officinale), store bought or via recipe, above. After 7 years in this role and a further year working as a drug safety officer in the pharmaceutical industry, Bhupesh joined Holland &Barrett as a Senior Regulatory Affairs Associate in 2019. The leaves and stems of comfrey contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can cause toxic damage if ingested in excess (Ulbricht, 2010). Wien.Med.Wochenschr. Looks like you may need to upgrade your browser We're sorry, we no longer support the web browser that you are using This site uses cookies to improve your experience. Registered in England: company no. Osteoarthritis.Cartilage. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Koll, R., Buhr, M., Dieter, R., Petrowicz, O., Gianetti, B., and Wagener, S. Wirksamkeit und Vertraglichkeit von Beinwellextrakt (Extr. Braz J Biol. Mackinnon, M. In general practice, 'always expect the unexpected'. Comfrey can also contain echimidine, pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), and symphytine, which can damage the liver, are carcinogenic (cancer-causing) and may harm a fetus. It is called knitbone or boneset, referring to the bone-like growth of its roots. Adv Ther 2005;22(6):681-692. The plant has a long history in folk and ancient herbal treatments before comfrey is . Do not use different forms (tablets, liquid, tincture, teas, etc) of comfrey at the same time without medical advice. The way that they work is by blocking small blood vessels in the liver. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are pregnant. Retrieved from https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=295, Predel, H. G., Giannetti, B., Koll, R., Bulitta, M., & Staiger, C. (2005). Scientific studies have shown comfrey oil can help reduce the likelihood leg ulcers will become infected.7, Topical application of comfrey oil has been shown to support the lower and upper back more than methyl nicotinate, the main ingredient in many muscle creams.8. HTB; 2021 2; Youtube; Twitter; Facebook; ; Learn more in The Comfrey Controversy: Can and Should One Use Comfrey Internally? Phytother Res. Roeder E. Medicinal plants in Europe containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Staiger C. Comfrey root: from tradition to modern clinical trials. The review included one study of 220 people with knee osteoarthritis, a degenerative "wear-and-tear" joint condition. Toe was infected and painful. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. Comfrey is not recommended for internal use because of the liver damage caused by its pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Consult your healthcare provider before using comfrey cream. 95 ($14.78/Fl Oz) FREE delivery Wed, Mar 8 on $25 of items shipped by Amazon. 4-4-2009;139(13-14):210-211. More research is needed. View abstract. When harvesting comfrey or buying from a non-commercial supplier, note that there is variety within the species. Comfrey is changed and broken down by the liver. Additionally, there is scientific research demonstrating comfreys effectiveness at soothing muscle and joint pain, some of which are highlighted in this post. View abstract. Jedlinszki N, Balzs B, Csnyi E, Csupor D. Penetration of lycopsamine from a comfrey ointment through human epidermis. Need some help with an order or want to speak to a member of our Customer Services team? Consult your healthcare provider before using. This is not recommended due to the presence of chemicals that can cause organ damage and cancer. This includes androstenedione, bishop's weed, borage, chaparral, comfrey, DHEA, echinacea, garlic, germander, golden ragwort, hound's tongue, kava, licorice, niacin (vitamin B3), pennyroyal oil, red yeast, St. John's wort, and others. Comfrey oil is made by infusing the leaves and roots of a comfrey plant with a neutral oil. Jurcu, R., & Jurcu, I. J Chiropr Med. Registered in England: company no. Do not use comfrey with very young children or during pregnancy or lactation. 20 Rewards for Life points with this purchase, Potters Herbals Comfrey Ointment is a traditional herbal medicinal product used for the symptomatic relief of minor sprains and bruises, based on traditional use only. They help us to understand how people use the website and give us the ability to provide targeted marketing to you. Fortschr Med Orig 2002;120:1-9. Comfrey is a plant also known as Ass Ear, Black Root, Blackwort, Bruisewort, Consolidae Radix, Consound, Consoude, Consuelda, Gum Plant, Healing Herb, Herbe aux Charpentiers, Herbe la Coupure, Knitback, Knitbone, Langue-de-Vache, Oreille d'ne, Salsify, Slippery Root, Symphytum officinale, or Wallwort. Koll R, Klingenburg S. [Therapeutic characteristance and tolerance of topical comfrey preparations. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Comfrey cream, an topical herbal product, is thought to reduce inflammation and pain when applied to the skin. randomized double-blind study of 278 patients with fresh abrasions, a. topical preparation containing a 10% comfrey leaf extraction applied for 2-3 days reduced wound healing time of adults and children without side effects (Barna et al., 2012). Megan Nunn, PharmD, is a community pharmacist in Tennessee with over twelve years of experience in medication counseling and immunization. Researchers have investigated the effects of comfrey cream on several health conditions. This soothing blend of herbal oils contains Comfrey (also known as Knitbone) and Eucalyptus Oil. Mosby Elsevier. Wound-healing effects of a symphytum herb extract cream (Symphytum uplandicum Nyman) in children: A randomized double-blind study. Sometimes, massaging on topical ointments can help reduce pain and inflammation. In a randomized, controlled, double-blind study with 203 patients, applications of a 10% comfrey cream were well tolerated, reduced swelling and pain, and improved mobility (Kucera et al., 2004). Effect of a blend of comfrey root extract (Symphytum officinale L.) and tannic acid creams in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multiclinical trials. All rights reserved. (Grube et al., 2007). 2013;21(6):724-45. Simply massage into the skin as required. hollandandbarrett.ie is a trading name of Holland & Barrett Retail Limited. 2013;5(5):CD010538. You and your healthcare provider should weigh the pros and cons and use it only under their supervision.