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Parts Used
Root and Leaves
Description
Comfrey is a Perennial Herb with "hairy"
leaves and small flowers.
Overview and Mythology.
Comfrey
is derived from the Latin, con ferva, meaning 'with strength'.
The genus name, Symphytum, means 'grown together'.
Comfrey paste was once used to cast broken bones.
Comfrey is native to Eurasia.
Legend says that Comfrey baths were given to women before
marriage to restore the hymen and thus virginity.
When drying the leaves, keep them from touching one another so
they will dry without yellowing. Add
extra Comfrey to the compost bin to accelerate breakdown of organic
matter. Once planted in a
garden, it tends to take over and can be difficult to eradicate.
Constituents.
Alkaloids:
Allantoin
Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids:
7-acetyllycopsamine
Echimidine
Minerals:
Germanium, Phosphorus,
Calcium, Potassium, Cobalt
Vitamins:
Vitamin A,Vitamin B12,
Vitamin C, Vitamin E.
Protein: Lysine, Asparagine
Tannic Acids
Phenolic acids,
Other:
Resin,
Consolidine,Inulin, Mucilage,
Triterpenoids, Mucopolysaccharides,
Dosage Recommendations
Most herbalists recommend 2 - 10 grams of Comfrey per day for
therapeutic purposes.
Since research is not clear on the action of the Pyrrolizidine alkaloids it is suggested that to be really on the
safe side that every third day, the normal dose of comfrey be stopped
and resumed on the next day.This fascilitates the breakdown of the
alkaloids.
Internal
Applications.
Tea,
Tincture, Capsules
Medicinal
Actions
Anodyne, Anti-inflammatory,
Antiseptic, Astringent, Demulcent, Emollient, Expectorant, Hemostatic,
Refrigerant, Vulnerary, Yin Tonic.
Used in the following internal illnesses
Bronchitis, Cough, Fractures, Internal Bleeding, Respiratory
Problems, Ulcers
Health Benefits of Comfrey
Digestive System
Comfrey (tea) alleviates Peptic Ulcers.
Musculoskeletal System
Comfrey accelerates the
healing of Fractures (due to the Allantoin content of Comfrey).
Comfrey (ointment applied topically) alleviates the symptoms of
Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Respiratory System
Comfrey alleviates Asthma.
Comfrey alleviates Coughs.
Comfrey (tea) alleviates Emphysema
External
Medicinal Use
Bruises, Burns, Fractures, Hemorrhoids, Skin Dryness, Swellings,
Varicose Veins, Wounds
Topical
Applications:
When applied topically, Comfrey helps to draw infection
out of the body.
Its
constituent allantoin is a known cell proliferant.
Use as a bath herb for dry skin.
Salves, lotions and poultices for fractures, wounds, bruises,
swellings, hemorrhoids, varicosities and burns
Note- Comfrey
causes rapid wound healing, make sure a wound is clean of any dirt
before applying Comfrey
Cardiovascular
System
Comfrey (ointment applied topically) alleviates
the Itching associated with Hemorrhoids.
Skin
Comfrey
(ointment applied topically) accelerates the healing of and reduces the
discoloration and swelling associated with Black Eyes (due to the
Allantoin content of Comfrey).
Comfrey (ointment applied topically)
alleviates Eczema.
Comfrey (ointment applied topically)
is reported to alleviate Psoriasis.
Comfrey
(ointment applied topically) alleviates Skin Ulcers (due to the
Allantoin content of Comfrey).
Comfrey (ointment applied topically)
accelerates the healing of Wounds (due to the Allantoin content of
Comfrey)
Comfrey (ointment applied topically) accelerates the healing of
Bruises.
Comfrey (ointment applied topically) accelerates the healing of
Burns
Comfrey (ointment applied topically) alleviates Insect
Bites/Stings.
Energetics.
Cool, Sweet, Moist.
Contra
indications and side effect
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids may cause hepatic toxicity, also referred to as
veno-occlusive disease. Comfrey
leaves contain 0.003% to 0.115% Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids.
Comfrey root contains 0.14% to
0.4% Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids. Young leaves are higher in pyrrolizidine
than the mature leaves. Other
research indicates that Comfrey may have anticancerous activity.
Research herbalists are still at odds about this and more
research needs to be conducted. Australia is the only place in the world
where the leaf and root cannot be bought at health shops.
The toxic substances in Comfey cannot penetrate the skin.
Astrology
Comfrey falls under the sign of Capricorn.
Chakras.
Functions from the first to
the fourth chakra with emphasis on the 4th.
Doctrine of signatures.
Looking at the leaves , it
is seen that the lungs on cross section look like the comfrey leaf
patterning.Also ther hairs on the leaf resemble the macroscopic
appearance of the lung cells.
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