Comfrey root preparations are used today in herbal medicine only externally (!) for the treatment of sprains, bruises, muscle and tendon strains. Furthermore, one uses the root, also externally, for local inflammations.
Comfrey: controversial areas of application
Controversially discussed and partly not recognized are also some areas of application, which are based on empirical medicine. These include, for example, the use of comfrey for:
- Poorly healing bone fractures and wounds.
- Sore muscles
- Tendonitis, tenosynovitis and bursitis.
- Nail bed inflammation
- Bruises
- Boils
- Lymph node swelling
- Fever
- Inflammatory rheumatic joint diseases such as arthritis
Comfrey in folk medicine
In folk medicine, comfrey is also used externally for bruises, strains and sprains. In addition, however, the roots and leaves are also used internally to treat rheumatism, bronchitis, lung problems, inflammation of the gastric mucosa, stomach ulcers and bleeding.
Finally, comfrey preparations are also considered folk medicine as a remedy for diarrhea.
Not suitable for internal use
However, Commission E warns against internal use of comfrey preparations because of the pyrrolizidine alkaloids they contain.
Homeopathic use of comfrey
In homeopathy, the fresh roots are collected before flowering and used to treat blunt injuries, bone fractures and phlebitis. The fresh flowering plant is considered an essence for external use.
Ingredients of comfrey
Comfrey root contains relatively large amounts of mucilage (fructans) and up to 1.5% allantoin. In addition, 4-6% tannins, triterpenes, choline and organic acids such as rosmarinic acid are present in the roots. Depending on the cultivation area and variety, the root further contains small amounts or traces of pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
Comfrey: for what indication?
Indications for which comfrey is used are:
- Bruise
- Sprain
- Muscle strain
- Tendon strain
