Whenselecting a brand of supplements, look for products certified by Consumer Labs, the U.S.Pharmacopeia, or NSF. Make sure to always buy comfrey. 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. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. Do not take comfrey without medical advice if you are using any of the following medications: This list is not complete. Comfrey contains toxic substances that cause liver damage, cancer, and death. My family has used comfy for ingrown toenails. A member of the borage family, comfrey root, leaves, and stems have an obvious coat of bristly hair. Comfrey oil should be applied topically to parts of the body where you have muscular pain or discomfort. Avila C, Breakspear I, Hawrelak J, Salmond S, Evans S. A systematic review and quality assessment of case reports of adverse events for borage (Borago officinalis), coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) and comfrey (Symphytum officinale). For one of these studies, the average time participants had experienced knee pain and stiffness leading up to the study was six and a half years! Allow the oil mixture to cool until it reaches room temperature, which could take 8-12 hours. It has bell-shaped red-violet or yellowish flowers. It can grow up to 5 feet tall. Smith, D. B., & Jacobson, B. H. (2011). Comfrey cream may help treat knee osteoarthritis, according to a Cochrane review of topical herbal therapies. 2 cups organic, unrefined coconut oil What Happens If I Use Too Much Comfrey Cream? 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. The plant has a long history in folk and ancient herbal treatments before comfrey is . 2014;20(4):347-55. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Glass bowl with a lid Comfrey is avoided on cuts or puncture wounds for this reason. BMJ Case Rep. 2016. Buy 1 get 1 Half Price on Vitamins & Supplements, Popular Vitamins & Supplements Subscriptions, Buy 1 get 1 Half Price gut health supplements, Guide to sleeping better natural sleeping remedies, Living in the now, gut health & mental wellbeing, The thing that makes you different makes you special, Bhupesh Panchal, Senior Regulatory Affairs Associate, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5908267/, http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965229913001672, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22887778, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6363250/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6631335/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22887778/, https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-report/final-assessment-report-symphytum-officinale-l-radix_en.pdf, http://pennstatehershey.adam.com/content.aspx?productid=107&pid=33&gid=000234. The Herbal Academy neither endorses them nor is in any way responsible for their content. Comfrey is often sold as an herbal supplement. Heat oil in double boiler gently then add beeswax until it melts. View abstract. Version: 5.01. 2010;73(2):97-100. Penetration of lycopsamine from a comfrey ointment through human epidermis. 7-6-2001; Lin, C. C., Yang, C. C., Phua, D. H., Deng, J. F., and Lu, L. H. An outbreak of foxglove leaf poisoning. One study followed 142 patients with ankle sprains. Join rewards for life today and we'll give you 300 points worth 3.00. Treatment with 4Jointz reduces knee pain over 12 weeks of treatment in patients with clinical knee osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled trial. Vithayathil MK, Edwards M. Comfrey herbal remedy causing second-degree heart block: do not be outfoxed by digitalis. Kucera, A., Barna, M., Holcova, S., Horacek, O., Hladikov, M., & Ottillinger, B. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination. Small glass jars with lids for sharing (optional). Dosage: How Much Comfrey Cream Should I Use? The ankle swelling decreased by 79.5% in the comfrey root group and 69.4% in the diclofenac group. Do not use comfrey with very young children or during pregnancy or lactation. Am J Med 1990;89:547-8. Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020. Comfrey - please don't use it - The Herbal Horse and Pet A member of the borage family, comfrey root, leaves, and stems have an obvious coat of bristly hair. This is because only a small amount of the pyrrolizidine alkaloids are absorbed through the skin (Jedlinszki et al., 2017). comfrey cream holland and barrett - daxasys.com Drug-induced liver injury. Of course, more research is needed to validate efficacy and safety. (3), 147-156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcm.2011.01.003. Adv Ther 2005;22(6):681-692. Herbal drugs and phytopharmaceuticals. Those who used the comfrey ointment experienced improvements in pain, mobility, and quality of life. comfrey cream holland and barrett - omnigrace.org.tw Symphyti) in the treatment of ankle distorsions: Results of a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Consult with a licensed healthcare professional before using any herbal/health supplement. 2007;14(1):2-10. Many of those following the folk use of comfrey up to present-day think so. Comfrey might harm the liver. J Chin Med.Assoc. In Western Europe, comfrey has been used topically for treating inflammatory disorders such as arthritis, gout, and thrombophlebitis, and internally for treating diarrhea. Yield: Approximately 5 cups of whipped lotion. To make this recipe, first, you must prepare the comfrey root tincture. Three clinical studies have provided evidence that ointments containing comfrey root have helped reduce back pain. Kucera, M., Barna, M., Horacek, O., Kalal, J., Kucera, A., and Hladikova, M. Topical symphytum herb concentrate cream against myalgia: a randomized controlled double-blind clinical study. Essential oils are a whole new world in themselves & the benefits of using them are widespread. Simply massage into the skin as required. comfrey cream holland and barrett. J Chiropr Med. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. Comfrey root: from tradition to modern clinical trials, Efficacy and safety of comfrey root extract ointment in the treatment of acute upper or lower back pain: results of a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial, Topical herbal therapies for treating osteoarthritis, 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, Treatment with 4Jointz reduces knee pain over 12 weeks of treatment in patients with clinical knee osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled trial. Comfrey contains chemicals that cause serious liver damage when taken by mouth. The way that they work is by blocking small blood vessels in the liver. Aust.J Physiother. This site uses cookies to improve your experience. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 83, 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yrtph.2016.11.015. The use of babosa (Aloe vera) in treating burns: a literature review. The leaves and stems of comfrey contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can cause toxic damage if ingested in excess (Ulbricht, 2010). Although not examined in clinical trials, comfrey may possess antifungal and anticancer activity. Comfrey Cream Recipe for Achy Joints and Muscles - Herbal Academy 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. 2013;163(3-4):58-64. NCCIH. Since these toxic substances can be absorbed through the skin, there's concern about the safety of comfrey cream applied topically. Comfrey may have been applied to the skin in a specific preparation to treat some of these conditions. View abstract. Regarding its antioxidant, antilipoperoxidant, antiinflammatory, and cytotoxic properties. Add cup of the comfrey tincture and all essential oils to the cooled oil/butter mixture. Comfrey has been claimed to heal gastric ulcers and hemorrhoids, and to suppress bronchial congestion and inflammation. Modern science suggests that the ancients were correct in believing comfrey helps to heal woundsand relieve pain.3,4 In this article, well explain where comfrey comes from, comfrey oils remarkable health benefits and how to use it at home. 2758955. Don't use comfrey products if you have or are at risk of having liver disease, cancer, or are taking any medication that affects the liver since it may increase the risk of liver toxicity. Avoid taking comfrey orally (by mouth). Seal with a lid and then label with the ingredients and date. 2012;62(6):285-289. View abstract. Set aside cup for the cream recipe and store the rest in a glass jar. How to make a natural healing comfrey cream - Simply Comfrey Soaked foot in warm water with a few leaves of comfry. A critical scoping review of external uses of comfrey (Symphytum spp.). Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is a plant with yellow or purple flowers found in Europe, Asia, and North America. Complementary Health Approaches for Chronic Pain: What the Science Says. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. Written by Cerner Multum. 12 drops peppermint (Mentha piperita) essential oil What are the benefits of using it? Braz J Biol. Available for Android and iOS devices. View abstract. 2007;157(21-22):569-574. Hybrids and other species may have a similar appearance but could have significantly different amounts of the toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (Kucera et al., 2018). This recipe is contraindicated for small children and those with certain medical conditions. After eight days, the group that used the cream had significantly less pain than those who had the placebo.