It is used as a tea for upset stomach, ulcers, heavy menstrual periods, diarrhea, bloody urine, persistent cough, painful breathing (pleuritis), bronchitis, cancer, and chest pain (angina).It is also used as a gargle for gum disease and sore throat.
History. Long used to heal wounds, the comfrey leaves and roots have been used to cure ailments ranging from stubborn leg ulcers to broken bones, and hence its common name of “boneset” or “knitbone”. During ancient times, comfrey baths were popular before marriage to repair the hymen and thus restoring virginity. Comfrey leaves have also caused cancer in experimental animals. Two species, S. asperum (prickly comfrey) and S. uplandicum (Russian comfrey) contain very high levels of echimidine, one of the more potent alkaloids. Adding to the problem is the fact that these varieties are sometimes labeled as “common comfrey”. Comfrey is a plant. Even though this plant contains poisonous chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), the leaf, root, and root-like stem (rhizome) are used to make medicine. The amount of PAs found in comfrey changes according to the time of harvesting and the age of the plant. Broken or damaged skin: Don’t apply comfrey to broken or damaged skin. Doing so might expose you to large amounts of the chemicals in comfrey that can cause liver damage and other serious health effects. Liver disease: There is a concern that comfrey might make liver disease worse. Comfrey species are important herbs in organic gardening. It is used as a fertilizer and as an herbal medicine. The most commonly used species is Russian comfrey Symphytum × uplandicum, which is a cross or hybrid of Symphytum officinale (Common Comfrey) and Symphytum asperum (Rough Comfrey). 1 Comfrey liquid fertilizer – can be produced by either rotting leaves down in rainwater for 4–5 weeks to produce a ready-to-use  comfrey tea , or by stacking dry leaves under a weight in a container with a hole in the base. 2  When the leaves decompose a thick black comfrey concentrate is collected. The active ingredients in comfrey herb are allantoin (a substance that fosters the growth of new cells), rosemarinic acid (an anti-inflammatory), and mucilage (a gummy substance that soothes inflammed tissues). Allantoin is credited with encouraging bone, cartilage, and muscle cells to grow. Comfrey leaves have also caused cancer in experimental animals. Two species, S. asperum (prickly comfrey) and S. uplandicum (Russian comfrey) contain very high levels of echimidine, one of the more potent alkaloids. Adding to the problem is the fact that these varieties are sometimes labeled as “common comfrey”. Comfrey (also comphrey) is a common name for plants in the genus Symphytum. 1 Comfrey liquid fertilizer – can be produced by either rotting leaves down in rainwater for 4–5 weeks to produce a ready-to-use  comfrey tea , or by stacking dry leaves under a weight in a container with a hole in the base. 2  When the leaves decompose a thick black comfrey concentrate is collected. Comfrey is a marvelous herb and is one of the best-known healing herbs of all times. Well known and widely used by early Greeks and Romans, its very name, symphytum, from the Greek symphyo means to make grow together, referring to its traditional use of healing fractures. (NIH). Comfrey salves, ointments and teas are best known for the topical treatment of burns, skin ulcerations, abrasions, lacerations, flea and insect bites, and just about any skin irritation. Comfrey's astringent tannins form a protective surface over wounds that promotes healing. Comfrey is used as a tea for upset stomach, ulcers, heavy menstrual periods, diarrhea, bloody urine, persistent cough, painful breathing (pleuritis), bronchitis, cancer, and chest pain (angina). It is also used as a gargle for gum disease and sore throat. Broken or damaged skin: Don’t apply comfrey to broken or damaged skin. Doing so might expose you to large amounts of the chemicals in comfrey that can cause liver damage and other serious health effects. Liver disease: There is a concern that comfrey might make liver disease worse. Comfrey (Symphytum officinale L.) is a perennial herb of the family Boraginaceae with a black, turnip-like root and large, hairy broad leaves that bears small bell-shaped flowers of various colours, typically cream or purplish, which may be striped. 1 Comfrey liquid fertilizer – can be produced by either rotting leaves down in rainwater for 4–5 weeks to produce a ready-to-use  comfrey tea , or by stacking dry leaves under a weight in a container with a hole in the base. 2  When the leaves decompose a thick black comfrey concentrate is collected. There's a reason it's been popular for 2,000 years. Comfrey is a shrub that grows in Europe, parts of Asia, and North America. It can grow up to five feet tall and produces clusters of purple, blue, and white flowers. However, it’s the long, slender leaves and black-skinned roots that the plant is most famous for. Comfrey has a long history as a medical remedy. In Japan, the herb has been harvested and used as a traditional treatment for over 2,000 years. Comfrey was originally called knitbone because of its use in healing muscle sprains, bruises, burns, and other joint inflammation. Story at-a-glance 1  +. Comfrey oil is extracted from comfrey (Symphytum officinale), a perennial herb of the Boraginaceae family with a black, turnip-like root and large, hairy broad leaves bearings small, bell-shaped flowers. 2  The plant has found widespread use in folk and herbal medicine, acting as a healing agent. Comfrey, while considered an important herbal medicine, is controversial due to its toxic components which led to the banning of oral products. The dilemma is how to weigh the virtues of Comfrey oil while considering the safety concerns that surround it.
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what is comfrey good for