Comfrey Infused Oil

Basic

Ingredients

Uses

History

Safety

Plant Information for Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) of Family Boraginaceae is a perennial herb with a black, turnip-like root and large, hairy broad leaves and small bell-shaped flowers. Native to Europe, it has been used as an organic fertilizer because of its ability to mine nutrients from the soil that can be used to fertilize other plants.

The roots and the leaves are useful medicinally; however it should not be taken internally (see Safety section).

Comfrey leaves contain Allantoin, an agent that promotes cell proliferation., tannin, and mucilage. This makes it useful as in skin and wound care. Comfrey oil or ointment can be used to treat acne and to relieve psoriasis or other skin conditions. It's also valuable in ear treatment and has anti-inflamatory properties.

The infused oil can be used on arthritic joints, sprains, bruises, and other trumatic injuries and for inflamed bunions.

Comfrey has a long history in herbal medicine. In ancient Greece, it was mentioned by Dioscorides. Comfrey was cultivated for medicinal purposes during the Middle Ages. Paracelsus, in the late 15th century, commented "To what purpose do you superadde vinegar to the root of Comfrey, or bole, or suchlike balefull additaments, while God hath compos d this simple sufficient to cure the fracture of the bones?"

At the end of the nineteenth century there was progress in studying the reasons why comfrey works, but about the same time that allantoin was discovered its use was reduced because of changes in medical theory.

External Use Only. Refrigerate when not in use.

Herbs2000 and other sites discuss research that shows that has isolated substances pyrrolizidine alkaloids (found mostly in the roots) are highly toxic to the liver. This issue seems to be in need of more research. One source suggests that the common comfrey is safer than some other species. Because of this uncertainty, Comfrey should probably not be used internally.

The information provided on these pages is not a substitute for necessary medical care, nor intended as medical advice. Always keep carriers and bases tightly closed and in a cool, dark place, out of reach of children. If redness or irritation occurs when applied to the skin, stop using immediately and contact your health provider if necessary.