- Region
- Europe
- Origin
- Europe and western Asia, in damp meadows and along waterways. Symphytum officinale
Europe · Herb · № 95
Symphytum officinale
Herb · Europe
Comfrey
Symphytum officinale
Topical preparations have been studied for bruises, sprains and back pain and appear to reduce pain. It contains allantoin, which is thought to support tissue repair.
Safety notes
Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can cause serious liver damage; never take internally. Do not use on open wounds, long term, or in pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Cautions by tradition (3)
- Herbal medicine worldwide: Not on dirty wounds.
- Natural skin and hair care: External use only and not on open wounds; do not use for long periods and not during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The decoction keeps for 3–4 days in the fridge.
- Western herbs in Chinese medicine: External use only, not on open or deep wounds and not for long periods.
Preparation
Only externally as ointment, cream or compress on unbroken skin. No dosage is given here.
Use in traditions
Its old name 'knitbone' refers to use for fractures; the grated root was packed around limbs like plaster. Ody describes it as a classic wound and bone herb.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Herbal medicine worldwide
Attributed effects
Promotes cell growth, astringent, soothing, wound-healing, expectorant; for stomach ulcers, fractures, bruises, joint complaints.
Preparation and amount
Internally only under professional supervision (pyrrolizidine alkaloids), max. 6–8 weeks, never take the root internally; oil as massage for arthritic joints, sprains and bruises; compress; cream twice a day for at least 2 months for osteoarthritis; syrup for dry cough; poultice of crushed leaves on small fractures (toes, ribs).
Caution: Not on dirty wounds.
Natural skin and hair care
Attributed effects
Contains allantoin and mucilage; traditionally used externally for bruises, sprains and stiff joints.
Preparation and amount
External: root or leaf in a salve for joints and bruises, a bath bag and a facial tonic (see the recipes).
Caution: External use only and not on open wounds; do not use for long periods and not during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The decoction keeps for 3–4 days in the fridge.
Western herbs in Chinese medicine
Attributed effects
Comfrey and plantain are the classic healing and anti-inflammatory herbs for poultices on grazes, rashes and irritations.
Preparation and amount
Poultice: grind 5 g comfrey to a powder and stir in enough yarrow tincture to make a thick paste. Apply it to the affected area and refresh at least twice a day.
Caution: External use only, not on open or deep wounds and not for long periods.
Folklore and herbal magic
Symbolic meanings from folk use and modern herbal magic. These are handed-down associations, not effects.
Safe and easy travel (root in the suitcase), abundance, calm and well-being as incense, health, healing, protection when travelling, prosperity.
Herbal magic and rituals
Attributed effects
In herbal magic associated with safe travel and protection.
Preparation and amount
The old names say it: knitbone in English and consolida ('growing together') in Latin, because people believed the plant helped broken bones heal. In European gardens comfrey grew at monasteries and farms, also as fodder and green manure.
Home, kitchen and folk use
Attributed effects
Known as a healing herb (nicknamed boneset and knitbone).