![]() Historically, one of comfrey's popular common names was "knitbone," a nod to its ability to reduce the discomfort and healing time of conditions like sprains, strains and even broken bones. The option of having an herbal aid to help you manage the discomfort is pretty empowering, though - and convenient, too. Should you take care not to overtax your back (or other area of your body) until it's had a chance to heal completely? Absolutely. This happens surprisingly quickly.Ĭonclusions: Should you check with a doctor if you think an injury may be something more than an uncomfortable inconvenience? Definitely. ![]() Result: The comfrey reduces the swelling which was placing pressure on your nerves, and the pain dissipates to manageable levels. Not wanting to visit the doctor to get another prescription for an anti-inflammatory, you apply a comfrey ointment or poultice to the area, replacing it every few hours. It will also speed healing.Ĭondition: You strained your back and have minor but very distracting and inconvenient lower back pain. ![]() Comfrey will help reduce pain, inflammation and bruising. It's produced synthetically.Īt this time, it's considered okay to use comfrey leaves and leaf extracts topically on small areas of unbroken skin. Actually, allantoin is used extensively in the cosmeceutical industry today, but that type of allantoin isn't extracted from comfrey. It's a compound associated with very effective cellular regrowth and repair. Allantoin is the beneficial chemical present in comfrey. Before you set comfrey aside as a bad bargain, though, read on. The recommendations vary somewhat, but the take away is to use comfrey carefully, only externally, for short periods, and even then only occasionally. ![]() It is even considered dangerous to apply comfrey topically to open wounds, or to use it for longer than 10 days in a row, or for long periods, even with breaks in between. It contains potentially toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids that have been linked to a number of nasty disorders, including cancer and liver damage. The trick is in using it with care, somewhat as you would a prescription medication.Īlthough the entire plant has been used as a remedy since before the Middle Ages, ingesting comfrey is now considered unsafe. Comfrey ( Symphytum officinale or the S ymphytum uplandica x.) has received bad press in recent years, but it can still be an herbal secret weapon. ![]()
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