Comfrey Oil 60 ml

Comfrey Oil  60 ml

Also available as an herb.
Comfrey Leaves: Comfrey Leaves 100g, 50 g, 25 g

Also available as an herb.
Comfrey Root: Comfrey Root 100g, 50 g, 25 g

Active Ingredient: Comfrey Leaves
Herbscrafters makes oils with high quality ingredients to ensure excellent effectivity

General Description:
Comfrey is a European plant that has been naturalized in temperate zones around the world. A compact perennial that bears one or two stalks growing to a height of three feet (one meter), comfrey is distinguished by white, pink, or lavender flowers and arrow-like leaves. The entire plant is used in traditional herbal medicine, although only the dried aerial (above ground) parts of the plant are reliably nontoxic. In much of central Europe, comfrey leaves make a traditional May Day salad, although the root should never be eaten.

Carrier Liquid: Olive Oil, Hempseed Oil, Peppermint Essential Oil

Benefits:
Nutrients
Nitrogen: Essential for green leafy growth and overall plant vigour.
Phosphorus: Supports root development, disease resistance, and flowering/fruiting.
Potassium: Plays a vital role in flower and fruit production.
Calcium: Contributes to strong cell walls and overall plant health.
Micronutrients and Other Nutrients:
Comfrey leaves contain various trace elements like manganese, boron, and iron.  It’s also a source of vitamins, including A, B12, and C. Comfrey provides protein and essential amino acids like tryptophan and methionine.Comfrey relieves pain and inflammation caused by injuries and degeneration, especially the symptoms of muscular skeletal disorders. Anticancer activity has been demonstrated for comfrey in cell lines. It can also be used for bruises and sprains and to promote bone healing. In folk medicine, the root was used for rheumatism, pleuritis, and as an anti-diarrheal agent.

Inflammation. Comfrey has been studied for use in musculoskeletal disorders. In one study, people with rheumatism were treated with a pyrrolizidine alkaloid–free ointment for four weeks. Not all subjects experienced improvements and it seemed to depend on the specific diagnosis. Comfrey seemed to work best on muscle pain (myalgia) and not as well on osteoarthritis-associated pain. Pain and functional complaints improved for all, but again the muscle pain group saw more improvement. The benefits were noted within four hours, so comfrey should be applied three times a day.

Pain. Comfrey is used a pain reliever. In one study, an extract of comfrey root ointment was applied to the knees of patients with osteoarthritis for three weeks and their pain was significantly reduced during rest and movement. In another study, an ointment was applied to unilateral ankle sprains. The treated group had less swelling and pain, and improved mobility compared to a placebo group. The participants who received the ointment used it four times a day for eight days.

Skin Problems, Injuries. Comfrey relieves pain and speeds healing of pus-filled wounds and accelerates tissue healing in cases of insect bite. It treats skin tags and common, flat, and filiform warts. In addition, comfrey stops reddening and irritation of the skin around wrinkles. Comfrey’s astringent tannins form a protective surface over wounds that promotes healing. This herb contains allantoin, a compound that helps stimulate the growth of new cells. It aids healing through cell proliferation. Probably also due, in part, to the presence of allantoin in comfrey, another use in folk medicine for it is the soothing of inflamed, irritated skin. Two controlled clinical studies saw a healing effect on irritation caused by UV-B rays (a mild sunburn) was equal to or greater with comfrey than diclofenac, one of the more often used over-the-counter medications used to soothe skin. (15) In another study, researchers purposefully irritated the skin of healthy young adults and then tested a liquid extract of comfrey on the skin. They found that topical applications of “comfrey extract may have a great application in the treatment of skin irritation.” (16)

Wound Healing  Comfrey contains an ingredient called allantoin, which aids the regrowth of skin, along with rosmarinic acid and tannins. Allantoin has been developed as an approved medication for over-the-counter skin treatment for a variety of skin issues.

That’s a likely reason it may help wounds to heal faster. One folk term for it is “knitbone” because it was believed to activate the healing of bones. While bone regrowth has not been proven scientifically as a benefit, researchers have noted an improvement in collagen production and wound healing when applying topically. For safety, never use comfrey on an open wound. If you want to see how it works for your own wounds, wait until the wound has totally closed before applying it.

Comfrey is great for bruises, especially, and I have seen it work its magic overnight. One example of its rapid effectiveness is, the external application of comfrey placed on terrible blue-black colored bruises and after being on the effected area for one night (as a poultice) the bruises quickly started to fade and went from black in color to a pale yellow. An amazing transformation that happened so rapidly. The plant is also excellent to use topically on sprains, pulled muscles, swellings and fractures. It is a wonderful first aid herb to have on hand in case you or someone you know twists their ankle. A foot soak or a poultice of comfrey can bring relief and help speed up the healing process.

Comfrey must be used with caution. It is such an excellent and speedy wound-healing remedy that it actually should not be used on deep wounds or lacerations. It could potentially heal the top layer of skin before the bottom layer, resulting in an abscess. So please do avoid comfrey for major skin wounds, and use it only for bruises, sprains and minor cuts and scratches.

In addition, much debate surrounds the safety of consuming comfrey internally, even though for centuries it was used in Greek medicine and by European physicians for respiratory and digestive issues. The controversy is due to the fact that the plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can be harmful to the liver in high doses. These alkaloids can do damage, especially to people who already have a compromised liver. That said, there is no reason to fear this plant when it is used correctly. Just don’t use comfrey on deep open wounds, and avoid all internal use.

Bone Healing  Comfrey has been used for centuries for its healing properties, with the name “knitbone” reflecting its traditional use for broken bones. Comfrey contains allantoin, a chemical that stimulates cell production and regeneration, potentially aiding in bone repair. It is typically used topically, in the form of poultices, creams, or ointments, to address injuries like sprains, bruises, and fractures. While some herbalists have used comfrey internally, caution is advised due to the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can cause liver damage and other issues. 

Comfrey was commonly called Knitbone because of its amazing ability to heal broken bones and “knit” them back together again. The botanical name, Symphytum, means “to unite.” The incredible healing action this plant has on broken bones and wounds comes from a constituent contained in the leaf and root called allantoin. This compound is a cell proliferant which helps to regenerate wounded areas of the body and speed up new healthy cell growth.

Muscle, Joint Pain  A large review released in 2013 about the medicinal uses of comfrey stated: ‘It is clinically proven to relieve pain, inflammation and swelling of muscles and joints in the case of degenerative arthritis, acute myalgia (muscle pain in the back, sprains, contusions and strains after sports injuries and accidents, also in children aged 3 years and older’.

However, available scientific evidence seems to back it up. In multiple studies, comfrey application improves the healing and pain response of bruises, sprains and painful muscles and joints, particularly related to exercise.

In a single-blind, randomized clinical trial of 164 participants comparing the effectiveness of comfrey against a common NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) used for ankle sprains and pain, it performed better than diclofenac gel, leading the researchers to state their encouragement that this natural product functions as a safe and effective alternative to the standard treatment.

Ankle Sprains  Research has shown that comfrey cream may be helpful in the treatment of ankle sprains.⁸

One study followed 142 patients with ankle sprains. One group used a cream with comfrey root fluid extract on the ankle while the others received a placebo. After eight days, the group that used the cream had significantly less pain than those who used the placebo.⁹

In another study, participants with ankle sprains received either comfrey root extract cream or diclofenac gel, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). The ankle swelling decreased by 79.5% in the comfrey root group and 69.4% in the diclofenac group.⁹

Lower Back Pain  Searching for lower back pain relief can be an exhausting and daunting task for the 31 million Americans struggling with this pain at any given time. However, comfrey may offer an alternative method for this chronic condition.

Two double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trials showed significant pain relief when compared with a placebo on an external application of comfrey root extract gel on the back.

Another study of 379 patients with acute upper-or low-back pain used a topical combination of 35% comfrey root extract plus 1.2% methyl nicotinate versus a single preparation of methyl nicotinate or placebo cream. The dosage was a 12 cm layer of cream three times daily for five days. The combination that included the comfrey root demonstrated superiority to the two other treatment arms resulting in a reduction in pain for the majority of patients.⁶

Further study is needed to confirm these results.

Arthritis Pain  An astounding 1 in every 5 people in the U.S. suffer from arthritis pain. Worn-down cartilage and connective tissue cause bones to rub together and cause chronic pain. Because of the possible side effects involved with most medications for arthritis, such as heartburn, stomach ulcers, increased risk of heart attack or stroke, cataracts, bone loss and more, many people seek alternative remedies for relieving their pain in a safe way. It turns out that using a topical comfrey ointment or poultice can help to significantly decrease the pain associated with arthritis. Various study reviews have seen results consistent, in some cases, with topical NSAIDs and even arnica, all without any negative side effects.

For arthritis relief, try creating a poultice of comfrey with pain-relieving essential oils such as peppermint oil and applying it to the painful areas two to three times a day. Please note that comfrey should only be used topically up to 10 consecutive days, in order to avoid bioaccumulation. There are no studies showing a danger of this, but we take this precaution to stay on the safe side.

Osteoarthritis  Comfrey cream may help treat knee osteoarthritis, according to a Cochrane review of topical herbal therapies.⁷ The review included one study of 220 people with knee osteoarthritis, a degenerative wear-and-tear joint condition. The participants were assigned three weeks of treatment with 2 g of either comfrey ointment or a placebo three times a day. Those who used the comfrey ointment experienced improvements in pain, mobility, and quality of life. Research exploring a variety of topical herbal therapies for treating osteoarthritis have also found comfrey to be among those effective when applied topically.⁷

Fibromyalgia  Because fibromyalgia is associated with pain in various parts of the body, comfrey application might help to offer some relief. Again, stick to no more than 10 consecutive days of application. And limit use to four to six weeks per year.

If you suffer from fibromyalgia pain, remember that your best option is to seek a multi-targeted approach to address whatever the root cause of this pain may be. Adjusting lifestyle to lose extra weight, eliminating problematic food ingredients like excitotoxins and eating anti-inflammatory foods may offer some additional relief.

Plant Food  Part of comfrey’s magic is the presence of allantoin, a chemical that stimulates cell production and thus supports wound-healing. It has even been used in the same way for plants: if a branch was damaged or a graft needed to be hurried along, a wrapping of comfrey can be called on to do its wonders.

Another use is as a plant food. For every 1kg of leaves, you need 15 litres of water, but it doesn’t need to be precise. Cut the leaves 5cm from the ground, fill a container, add the water and wait four weeks. Then use this liquid on any plant that needs nourishment: once a week for tomatoes, chillies, aubergines, cucumbers, and other fruit in pots once the flowers appear; every other week for other crops in pots and whenever anything in the ground needs a little boost. The leaves are rich in nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous (3 components of fertilizer) because comfrey’s extensive tap root can mine all the good stuff deep in the soil.

Skin Health  Comfrey’s healing properties also encompass the skin, with its wonder ingredient – allantoin – hydrating, naturally exfoliating, repairing, protecting and soothing the skin. Due to Comfrey’s high antioxidant status, topical application also helps to reduce free radical activity on the skin.

Natural allantoin as found in Comfrey can actually help to reduce abnormal thickening of the skin caused by “keratinisation” – if this is out of balance more keratin than usual is produced and the structure of the barrier function is changed. Allantoin interacts with the skin’s keratin to thin out an abnormal, thick stratum corneum, and this is the reason that allantoin is known for leaving skin feeling smooth.

Comfrey can also be used to relieve skin irritations such as rashes, sunburn and stings.

Additional Uses
Comfrey has also been used for the following conditions:¹⁰¹¹

• Burns
• Fractures
• Gout (a form of arthritis)
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Understanding Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (PAs)
Comfrey’s root contains significantly higher levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) compared to its leaves. Root PA content can range from 1380 to 8320 μg/g, while leaves contain much lower amounts, from 15 to 55 μg/g. Furthermore, some studies indicate that commercially available comfrey products, particularly those containing powdered root, may have higher PA levels than products primarily composed of leaf. A μg is a microgram, 1 millionth of a gram.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Roots:  Comfrey roots are known to be a primary site of PA accumulation.
Leaves:  Comfrey leaves contain less PAs than the roots, but still contain them, particularly some commercially available tea products. The symphytine and echimidine content can vary between tea preparations derived from different suppliers.
Other Parts:  Comfrey ovaries and fruits also accumulate PAs, with ovaries being the primary site of accumulation and concentrations decreasing during fruit ripening. Some PAs, like myoscorpine, are exclusively found in floral parts such as pollen and petals.

A generally accepted safe level of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) is considered to be 1 microgram per kilogram of body weight per day. For leaves in the middle of the PA content range above a person weighing:
150 Lbs (68 kg) its safe to take 2 grams internally/day
200 Lbs (91 kg) its safe to take 2.6 grams internally/day
It’s crucial to monitor and regulate their presence in food and medicinal products.

Historical Use
With a history of traditional use stretching back thousands of years, Comfrey has been cultivated as a healing herb since at least 400 BCE. The Greeks and Romans commonly used Comfrey to stop heavy bleeding, treat bronchial problems and heal wounds and broken bones. Poultices were made for external wounds and tea was consumed for internal ailments. It is said that the Roman legions also used this herb to heal wounds suffered in battle.

The notable Greek physician Dioscorides documented its use in his “De Materia Medica” and prescribed it for healing wounds, broken bones, as well as for respiratory and gastrointestinal problems. He was employed as Nero’s medical officer to the Roman army (thus, traveling extensively and having much cause to use Comfrey) and documented his experiences in five volumes with descriptive accounts on medicinal plants. Dioscorides prescribed Comfrey for its bone-knitting and wound-healing virtues. Comfrey appears in monastery writings and herbals from 1000 AD and Saxon herbariums recommended it for “internal bleedings, ruptures and hernias”.

There are hundreds of anecdotal stories where people are hailing the miraculous speed of healing broken bones using Comfrey. Comfrey tablets were even standard issue in World War II First Aid packs, so widely known was the ability of this herb to speed up the healing of bones and wounds.

Research has now shown Comfrey to contain the plant chemicals allantoin and rosmarinic acid. Allantoin is able to accelerate cellular mitosis (meaning it speeds up the process of new tissue growth), while rosmarinic acid helps to relieve pain and inflammation. Allantoin is even part of the developmental process of a foetus – the placenta contains this compound as the baby grows, eventually dwindling as full maturity is reached. Also present in breast milk, a small supply of allantoin continues to be supplied to the baby after birth.

Comfrey also contains bone strengthening vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, calcium and magnesium.

In most instances, comfrey compresses and ointments are used topically to facilitate the healing of bones and wounds. It is very important to make sure that wounds are completely clean before applying Comfrey – this is because the skin can regrow so fast that it can trap any debris left in the wound.

Recommended Uses
The preferred way to use comfrey is as an allantoin cream. It can also be used in poulticesYou should avoid letting the cream come into contact with unaffected skin and wash your skin after application, as allantoin may be irritating.

Comfrey leaf tea can be taken with calendula to alleviate gastritis. (See CALENDULA.) Compounding pharmacists can make this combination. Do not use comfrey pepsin tablets, as these are significantly more risky than comfrey tea. Comfrey contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which have been linked to liver and lung cancers, among other disorders, but the root is much more toxic than the leaf. Therefore, you should not use comfrey internally if you have liver disease or cancer, or if you regularly consume alcohol. In animal studies, comfrey has been shown to induce liver cancer.

As a further precaution against toxicity, do not use comfrey if you are taking antibiotics, prescription medication for yeast infections, fluoxetine (Prozac), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, SangCya), cholesterol-lowering medications, calcium channel blockers for high blood pressure, or steroids in any form. These medications compete for a liver enzyme that is necessary to neutralize any toxic compounds that may be ingested with comfrey. Do not use orally for more than four to six weeks a year.

Applied to the skin as a cream, comfrey is nontoxic. The cream should be 5 – 20 % of the dried herb. Daily doses should not exceed 100 micrograms of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Comfrey should not be used on babies or during pregnancy.

Botanical Name: Symphytum officinale L
English: Comfrey, Knitbone
Also, known as: Grande consoude, Reinweld, Consolide maggiore, Gum Plant, Healing Herb, Knit Bone,
Nipbone, Knitbone, Knitback, Blackwort, Bruise- wort, Ass Ear, Sankuutan, Black Root, Blackwort, Bruisewort, Common Comfrey, Consound, Consoude, Consuelda, Grande Consoude, Herbe à la Coupure, Langue-de-Vache, Oreille d’Ane, Salsify, and Wallwort
Habitat: Europe and Asia
Origin: Hungary
Harvested: Wild or Cultivated
Part used: Leaves

General Information:
In folk medicine, comfrey was a common feature among those in Europe. Known as “knitbone,” it was used for everything from the speeding of bone growth to nausea to acne relief. Historically, it has been prescribed to remedy diarrhea and for lung issues. It can be used in gardening as a fertilizer as well as an herb.

Comfrey products such as poultices, ointments and salves have been used as herbal remedies because of the plant’s ability to reduce inflammation and urge healing. The root has also been used in the past as a decoction to help gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea. However, using it internally is not recommended.

It’s not just humans who can benefit from comfrey — in 2014, researchers in Taiwan looked at the ability of its leaves to alleviate UV damage to the fins of zebrafish, suggesting it as a potential development for an agent to protect zebrafish embryos from future damage.

There is also preliminary research on the development of comfrey extract in creating an anticancer drug to combat prostate cancer. An animal study found very promising results — although it’s very important to note here that this does not mean you should ever ingest it. Controlled research in a lab of a chemically-extracted component of the plant is extremely different than just eating or drinking the substance.

Symphytum officinale a large, coarse, tuberous-rooted, clumping perennial that is primarily grown today as an ornamental for its attractive foliage and spring flowers. Comfrey is an herbaceous perennial with a stout spreading root, brownish-black and wrinkled, the stem about 1-3 feet high and large, spread 0.75-3 feet, coarsely hairy, egg to lance-shaped leaves, with wavy edges. Large, pointed, hairy, ovate-lanceolate, dark green basal leaves grow to 8″ long. Upper leaves are decurrent and much smaller than the basal ones. Mature stems are winged. Tubular, bluebell like, white to pink to purple flowers appear in drooping clusters in mid-spring to early summer.

The plant is erect in habit and rough and hairy all over. There is a branched rootstock, the roots are fibrous and fleshy, spindle-shaped, an inch or less in diameter and up to a foot long, smooth, and internally white, fleshy and juicy. The lower, radical leaves are very large, up to 10 inches long, ovate in shape and covered with rough hairs that promote itching when touched.

Comfrey has been cultivated since 400 BC as a healing herb. Immigrants first brought the plant to America in the 1600s for medicinal use. Over time, comfrey has naturalized along roadsides and in waste areas throughout much of the U.S. Comfrey was once commonly called knitbone because of its amazing ability to heal broken bones and “knit” them back together again. The botanical name, Symphytum, means “to unite.”

Some controversy still exists regarding internal use, but please refer to Understanding Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (PAs), above.

 

How to Use
In most circumstances, the most effective way to use comfrey is in a salve or poultice. This is then applied to the skin. For example, comfrey oil is a key ingredient in a DIY bruise cream with arnica and bilberry.

You can purchase comfrey oil as an infusion with olive oil or you can create your own oil (also known as comfrey balm) by simmering olive oil (or another carrier oil) and comfrey roots and leaves.  Use this oil to treat minor closed wounds and aches.