Comfrey may have been applied to the skin in a specific preparation to treat some of these conditions. Generic Name: comfrey (COM free)Brand Name: Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Feb 10, 2020 – Written by Cerner Multum. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are breast-feeding a baby. Historically, some people have eaten comfrey leaves as a vegetable. Comfrey is even believed to help decrease inflammation of tendon sheaths (Tilgner, 2018), … It has both anti-inflamatory and keratinolytic effects and is useful in the treatment of skin conditions following post … How to use comfrey externally. Mix the juice with the leaf fibre, and seal it in a … Comfrey is likley unsafe to take by mouth. Topical comfrey is for use only on the skin. Call your doctor if the condition you are treating with comfrey does not improve, or if it gets worse while using this product. Available for Android and iOS devices. The simplest way to use comfrey for a wound is as a poultice. Comfrey is an excellent mulch and fertilizer. So would an Achy Muscle type rub (mine has arnica, st johns wort, cayenne and peppermint infused oils). Despite safety concerns, comfrey is used by mouth for stomach ulcers, heavy menstrual periods, diarrhea, bloody urine, cough, bronchitis, cancer, and chest pain (angina). Comfrey is a perennial plant which divides easily. This is then applied to the skin. Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. In my new short film, I introduce some of the many uses of Comfrey and demonstrate how to simply divide a comfrey plant to have many cuttings to add to your garden, or share with your friends. Throw this leafy goo into your compost pile, or use it to side dress other crops such as potatoes and tomatoes. Comfrey contains high amounts of allantioin (found in mother's nursing milk) which is said to increase the rate of cell growth, heal wounds and burns more quickly, and promotes healthy skin and hair. Make a strong comfrey tea, using 2 Tablespoons of dried herb per cup of hot water. Using dried comfrey, make the poultice. Do not use more of this product than is recommended on the label. Consult with a licensed healthcare professional before using any herbal/health supplement. Comfrey leaf is also high in tannins, giving it astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. Select one or more newsletters to continue. Avoid using comfrey together with other herbal/health supplements that can also harm the liver. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. When I was growing up, it was common to feed comfrey to livestock because of its high mineral and protein content. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are pregnant. Although ingesting comfrey is not recommended, using comfrey externally is considered safe and can be very helpful for supporting the healing process with breaks, sprains, and strains, as well as minor shallow-cut skin injuries and burns. How to Use Comfrey Tea Fertilizer Once you are ready to use the liquid feed, scoop or strain out the decomposing leafy gunk from the bottom of the bucket. Comfrey is often sold as an herbal supplement. You can plant it once and have this very valuable plant forever. Do not use more of this product than is recommended on the label. Comfrey has some amazing healing properties that are from the natural allantoin in the plant. Do not use different forms (tablets, liquid, tincture, teas, etc) of comfrey at the same time without medical advice. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. It can be grown on land unsuitable for vegetables that would otherwise be wa… Comfrey contains chemicals that can cause liver damage, lung problems, or cancer. Other drugs may interact with comfrey, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. It spreads and can become invasive when the roots are cut into pieces during tilling. I sweeten it with a few drops of honey and drink each morning. Comfrey has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in treating back pain, osteoarthritis, or tenderness and swelling caused by a sprain injury. If you want to freeze comfrey leaves, I suggest you juice them first. Comfrey Tea for the Garden. It is often used to slow bleeding and drainage from tissues and to tighten and tone relaxed tissues. It is not certain whether comfrey is effective in treating any medical condition. Comfrey Salve. It is well balanced with a good combination of potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus. All it involves is a placing an appropriate amount of comfrey in warm (NOT hot) water and letting it sit until it becomes slimy. For example, comfrey oil is a key ingredient in my bruise cream with arnica & bilberry. Comfrey is also useful as an animal and poultry foodstuff. It is powerful medicinal support. Although not all side effects are known, comfrey is thought to be possibly safe when applied to unbroken skin for less than 10 days. Our guide will get you going on making and using comfrey tea. Whether you are treated by a medical doctor or a practitioner trained in the use of natural medicines/supplements, make sure all your healthcare providers know about all of your medical conditions and treatments. I use 1/2 tsp of Comfrey and 1 tsp of Licorice Root to 2 cups of water. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. You may also consider consulting a practitioner who is trained in the use of herbal/health supplements. Tea/Infusion. I have read that it was even used in the same way for plants: if a branch was damaged or a graft needed to be hurried along, a wrapping of comfrey was called for to do its wonders. All parts of the plant can be used including the root, leaves, stems and flowers. Plant in an area that will not be disturbed. Using different formulations together increases the risk of an overdose. Using comfrey oil You can use whole comfrey leaves as a poultice for sprains, arthritis, pain, and bruising. Not all possible interactions are listed in this product guide. This is the cheat’s way…simply chop the comfrey leaves into small pieces (approx 1 inch … It grows well in zones 3-9. One of the strengths of comfrey is the ability of its deep roots to bring up nutrients … Comfrey drug interactions (in more detail). Comfrey’s roots break up heavy clay and creating … 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 à la Coupure, Knitback, Knitbone, Langue-de-Vache, Oreille d'Âne, Salsify, Slippery Root, Symphytum officinale, or Wallwort. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use. Comfrey may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide. As a Mulch If you don’t want to walk around with a bandage of leaves sticking to you then you … Log in, « Growing Swiss Chard for Fast Reliable Harvests All Season Long, 5 Ways to Preserve and Use Calendula Flowers ». I just saw your post here. When you use comfrey as mulch, it will mine those nutrients from deep under the soil, and then return them to the soil where other plants … How to Use and Grow Comfrey. Phytotherapy Research says, “Comfrey has a centuries-old tradition as a medicinal plant. Comfrey is an herbal supplement used for conditions such as bronchitis, bruises (topical use), cancer, cough (persistent), fractures (topical use), peptic ulcer, rheumatism, skin ulcers (topical use), sprains (topical use), wound healing (topical use), gastritis, ulcers, excessive menstrual flow, and to gargle for gum disease.. Yes, this is a weak tea by most standards. Using a comfrey poultice is a great way to get the healing benefits of the herb onto exterior places on the body where there is a broken bone, inflammation, minor burns, cuts or bruising. Do not use extra comfrey to make up the missed dose. Comfrey can be used externally to support healing as well. But I wouldn’t use them daily for months and months just because of the issues with the liver, but I think it would help your shoulder yes. If you choose to use comfrey, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. 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). Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. If there was one plant I would grow more of, it would be comfrey. Comfrey can also be added to beauty products such as cream and lotions, as well as added to baths to soothe skin. Ask a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider if it is safe for you to use this product if you have: Comfrey is considered likely unsafe to use during pregnancy. Copyright 1996-2018 Cerner Multum, Inc. Film #30: Comfrey: how to use, harvest and propagate. Allantoin promotes granulation and cell formation which aids in healing at the cellular level. Other uses not proven with research have included skin wounds, skin ulcers, cough, sore throat, gum disease, joint pain, diarrhea, and other conditions. Your email address will not be published. When considering the use of herbal supplements, seek the advice of your doctor. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information -. Mature comfrey is drought tolerant and will mine the nutrients from deep in the soil. Condition Soil on Future Perennial Garden Sites. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 6 Jan 2021), Cerner Multum™ (updated 4 Jan 2021), ASHP (updated 6 Jan 2021) and others. Traditional healers have also used oral preparations of comfrey to treat stomach issues, such as ulcers, colitis, and diarrhea… In most circumstances, the most effective way to use comfrey is in a salve or poultice. You can purchase comfrey … You can use comfrey leaves in tea, and you can use your comfrey in a bath. The chemicals contained in comfrey may cause birth defects. Comfrey is likley unsafe to take by mouth. The tea can be heated back up if necessary. Follow all directions on the product label and package. Foliar Fertilization Improves Nutrient Use Efficiency, benefits of applying comfrey plant to the soil, Companion Planting with Herbs to Increase Biodiversity and Improve Yields. Dilute the collected liquid at a rate of one part comfrey to 10 parts water – the darker it is, the more you’ll need to dilute it. Comfrey is cold and heat hardy and can survive temperatures from -40°F degrees to 120°F. I call my comfrey patch my compost mine because with a little effort I can produce a great compost activator, a high potash plant food and a liquid that rivals commercially available tomato feed. Watering plants with the comfrey solution I am convinced that anyone growing their own should devote some space to growing comfrey. Comfrey contains allantoin, a substance commonly used in the cosmetic industry. Yes, Mary, the man who gave you the comfrey roots is correct. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Topical comfrey is for use only on the skin. Let the tea cool if making a cold compress, or use it right away (at a comfortable temperature) for a warm compress. Comfrey poultices help with all deep tissues injuries. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. The use of comfrey dates back to ancient times when people used to drink it in the form of herbal tea. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. Comfrey contains chemicals that can cause liver damage, lung problems, or cancer. I wanted to say that I am a cancer survivor and I do owe it to my daily herbal regime. Comfrey is considered likely unsafe to use if you are nursing a baby. Grows up to 4 feet tall with a spread of 3 feet. If you choose to use comfrey, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. For a hot infusion, pour 1 cup of boiling water over 2 teaspoons of comfrey and let it … Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice. Cover the poultice with a waterproof gauze pad and tape it … Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Strain out the herb after 10-15 minutes. Compost Tea. How to Use Comfrey for Healing. Using fresh or dried leaves, combine with warm water and place over ... Comfrey Compress. It's simple explained last because everything previously mentioned must always be done first. The tea from comfrey leaves was used to treat gastrointestinal problems, stomach ulcers, menstrual disorders, diarrhea, blood in urine, old & tough cough, chest pain, and cancer. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Comfrey for Livestock. Safety. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Do not take comfrey without medical advice if you are using any of the following medications: This list is not complete. The taproot can grow 8-10′ long, so comfrey is often used to break up clay soil. Comfrey Oil. 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. I make a tea of Comfrey and LIcorice Root. Comfrey is excellent as a nutritious compost. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. that comfrey that healed my lamb’s broken leg a few years back. Comfrey should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor. This is less of a problem with the Bocking 14 variety. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. How to use a comfrey poultice: Put a frozen or slightly thawed comfrey poultice on the affected area - bruise, sprain, bee sting, etc. perennial herb found in moist grasslands in western Asia as well as in North America Comfrey Poultice. Now you have the poultice - it will feel somewhat slimy, like mucilage. Version: 5.01. turmeric, saw palmetto, Ginkgo Biloba, garlic, echinacea. Use the solution as a potassium-rich liquid fertiliser to encourage flowers and fruit set.