Pyrrolizidine alkaloids, including echimidine, symphytine, lycopsamine,
symlandine. The alkaloids are found in the fresh young leaves and
in the root, but in two separate investigations were found to be
absent in the dried herb.
Phenolic acids; rosmarinic, chlorogenic, caffeic and lithospermic
acids.
Mucilage, about 29%, composed of a polysaccharide containing glucose
& fructose.
Comfrey is an excellent wound-healer. This is partially due to
the presence of allantoin. This chemical stimulates cell proliferation
and so augments wound-healing both inside and out.
The addition of much demulcent mucilage makes Comfrey a powerful
healing agent in gastric and duodenal ulcers, hiatus hernia and
ulcerative colitis. Its astringency will help hemorrhages wherever
they occur.
It has been used with benefit in cases of bronchitis and irritable
cough, where it will soothe and reduce irritation whilst helping
expectoration.
Comfrey may be used externally to speed wound-healing and guard
against scar tissue developing incorrectly. Care should be taken
with very deep wounds, however, as the external application of Comfrey
can lead to tissue forming over the wound before it is healed deeper
down, possibly leading to abscesses.
It may be used for any external ulcers, for wounds and fractures
as a compress or poultice. It is excellent in chronic varicose ulcers.
It has a reputed anti-cancer action.
Description
Comfrey is a perennial plant common in moist meadows and other
moist places in the U.S. and Europe. The rootstock is black outside,
fleshy and whitish inside, and contains a glutinous juice. The angular,
hairy stem bears bristly, oblong lanceolate leaves, some petioled,
some sessile. There are also tongue-shaped basal leaves that generally
lie an the ground. The whitish or pale purple flowers have a tubular
corolla resembling the finger of a glove and appear from May to
August.
Dosage
Decoction: put 1-3 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb in a cup of
water, bring to the boil and let simmer for l0-l5 minutes. This
should be drunk three times a day.
Tincture: take 2-4 ml of the tincture three times a day.
Cold Extract Tea: Use 3 heaping tsp. fresh or dried rootstock with
1 cup water; let stand for 10 hours and strain. Bring the waked
rootstock to a boil in 1/2 cup water, then strain. Mix this with
the cold extract and drink a mouthful at a time over the course
of the day.
Pulp: Stir fresh, chopped rootstock into a little hot water to
form a thick mash. Spread on a linen cloth and apply. Renew every
2 to 4 hours.
Combinations : For gastric ulcers and inflammations it combines
well with Marshmallow and Meadowsweet. For chest and bronchial troubles
use it with Coltsfoot, White Horehound or Elecampane. For wound
healing use with Calendula.
Safety
No information available. Some herbs are known to react with your
medication. Please consult your physician before starting on any
herb.
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