Why I Use Comfrey Leaf + Benefits for First Aid, Wounds & Joint Pain

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Comfrey Leaf Uses and Benefits
Wellness Mama » Blog » Natural Remedies » Why I Use Comfrey Leaf + Benefits for First Aid, Wounds & Joint Pain

I love herbal remedies for mild ailments that we can take care of at home, and my comfrey leaf salve has been a go-to for years. Comfrey has come under some scrutiny in medical literature, so let me take you through the benefits and risks of this pain-soothing, skin-nourishing herb.

What Is Comfrey Leaf?

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is a perennial herb with a black root. It has hairy broad leaves (that grow fast) and bell-shaped flowers that can vary in color.

Comfrey is native to Europe and parts of Asia but is now found in North America too.

For centuries, comfrey has been used for ailments like broken bones and other wound support. They called it “knit-bone” and “bone-set” for these abilities. In fact, comfrey’s Latin name Symphytum comes from the Greek symphis (“growing together”) and phyton (plant).

In keeping with its name, comfrey ointments have been used for centuries in folk medicine for:

  • pain
  • bone mending
  • inflammation
  • joint health
  • bruising

Comfrey contains many constituents that are thought to help with these uses. Two that are most associated with benefits are allantoin and rosmarinic acid.

Comfrey also contains nutrients such as vitamin C which is known to support collagen production in the skin and overall skin health.

Health Benefits of Comfrey

Here’s why comfrey leaves are a staple in my home, and why it’s been used for thousands of years:

Wound Care

Many cultures historically used comfrey on open wounds. It can be helpful beyond cuts and scrapes even. I’ve used comfrey for bug bites or bee stings, and to soothe a stinging nettle encounter. Science supports some of these uses as well.

A clinical overview published in 2012 shows that science backs traditional uses of comfrey for wound support. According to the overview, research suggests that comfrey can help reduce wound size as well as support collagen formation.

Additionally, “the healing time when using ointment containing comfrey extract was significantly shorter” compared to preparations with no active ingredients.

Helps Muscle and Joint Aches & Pains

As I mentioned, comfrey can help with wound healing in my experience, but its benefits to the body go deeper. Comfrey can help with pain inside of the body — either muscle or joint pain.

The 2012 overview mentioned above also found that comfrey is helpful in supporting healthy muscles and joints. Pain reduction was observed in the group using comfrey topically. In one of the studies, over half of participants suffering from joint pain found complete symptom resolution, while only about 5 percent had no improvement at all.

In another interesting study, researchers discovered that comfrey resolved symptoms more quickly than cryotherapy. Similar outcomes happened in studies focusing on lower back pain and osteoporosis pain. Overall, studies found that comfrey was helpful in supporting the relief of pain.

Supports Blunt Injury Recovery

Comfrey is most famously used as a poultice for broken bones. Allantoin is the constituent thought to be responsible for this benefit. Allantoin can diffuse through the skin and tissues to reach the affected area. Studies also suggest it supports tissue formation.

I once broke my pinky toe (actually, this has happened more than once thanks to late-night stumbling in the hall to get water for kids) and was told that this is not an injury that doctors can really help and that it would have to heal on its own.

I decided to research natural options to help with the pain and stumbled on information about comfrey in the process. After more research, I decided to make a poultice of comfrey leaf and plantain and apply to my broken toe several times a day.

Since I’d had this type of injury before, I knew that it often took several weeks at least to heal and that the pain often lasted this long. With twice-daily comfrey and plantain poultices, I noticed a reduction of pain within a few days and the pain was almost not-noticeable after one week!

By the second week, I was back to wearing whatever shoes I wanted! Now I’m a believer in the benefits of comfrey.

Uses for Comfrey

Comfrey clearly has many benefits and has earned a place in my natural remedy cabinet. Here are some of the best ways to use comfrey:

  • As a poultice for bone breaks and ankle sprains, or muscle and joint pain. (A poultice is a paste made from herbs (and sometimes clays or other ingredients) that is put directly on the skin and covered with cloth.) This is the safest way to use herbs on the skin and is what I used on my broken toe.
  • Ointment or healing salve for topical wound dressing – I use healing salves or liniments for wounds to keep them clean and help them close faster.
  • Lip salve – I add herbs to lip balms and salves for the health benefits. In this case, adding comfrey can help support healthy lips and avoid chapped and cracked skin.
  • Black drawing salve – I learned about this remedy from an Amish farmer who said it worked well from drawing out splinters and even spider venom. It’s a bit complicated to make but is very effective.
  • After birth sitz bath – Recovery from childbirth can be difficult (especially if you struggle with a sick baby or postpartum depression). Add this herbal remedy to a bath or Peri Bottle to soothe soreness.

Some herbalists who still recommend internal use of comfrey (under specific guidelines) will use comfrey tea for digestive issues, respiratory issues, and urinary issues. I would not personally use it internally and recommend further research and checking with your doctor before you do.

Why? Read on…

Is Comfrey Safe?

Used externally, comfrey is generally considered safe for children three or four years old and older as well as most adults.

As I mentioned earlier, comfrey has come under some scrutiny. The reason is that studies have pointed to comfrey having side effects when taken internally. This is based on the fact that comfrey contains a number of pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can cause liver damage and liver disease.

Some herbalists argue that many studies that came to this conclusion isolated the pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) and injected or fed them to animals at higher levels than herbalists would recommend. In the cases where people had negative health effects from ingesting comfrey, the intake of comfrey was also well above the recommended dosages.

Since the jury is out, to be on the safe side:

  • Do not use comfrey on any type of broken or irritated skin.
  • Do not use if pregnant, even for external use.
  • Avoid it if you have liver problems or cancer.
  • Do not use comfrey in combinations with anything else that affects the liver, such as pain relievers, alcohol, and prescription medications
  • Do not use in combination with herbs such as kava, skullcap, valerian, or CBD oil.

That being said, I like to err on the side of caution and avoid internal use of comfrey if possible. One reason is that there is likely another safer herb I can use in place of comfrey in ingestible preparations.

As always, consult a doctor and/or qualified herbalist before using this or any herb!

This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Walker, an internal medicine physician. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor or work with a doctor at SteadyMD.

Ever used comfrey to help a broken bone or other use? Share below!

Sources
  1. Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM. The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. Nutrients. 2017;9(8):866. Published 2017 Aug 12. doi:10.3390/nu9080866
  2. Staiger C. Comfrey: a clinical overview. Phytother Res. 2012;26(10):1441-1448. doi:10.1002/ptr.4612
  3. Mei N, Guo L, Fu PP, Fuscoe JC, Luan Y, Chen T. Metabolism, genotoxicity, and carcinogenicity of comfrey. J Toxicol Environ Health B Crit Rev. 2010;13(7-8):509-526. doi:10.1080/10937404.2010.509013

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Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

165 responses to “Why I Use Comfrey Leaf + Benefits for First Aid, Wounds & Joint Pain”

  1. Kadesh Avatar

    Hi Katie, can you please provide a link to studies &/or reasoning why comfrey should not be combined with cbd? Love all your investigative info & appreciate your approach.Thanks so much!

  2. Bret Avatar

    Knowing the side effects of Tylenol and the liver damage it causes in less time vs. taking comfrey internally at less than 1/100 of a person’s body weight, I would choose the comfrey.

    Why is comfrey held hostage around the world and Tylenol only gets a small print warning label on the bottle? Big Pharm profits.

    Comfrey leaf tea should be far safer than taking Tylenol for pain in the long run.

    Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Is Leading Cause of Acute Liver Failure
    https://www.medpagetoday.com/psychiatry/depression/2233
    Deliberate or inadvertent overdosing with acetaminophen (Tylenol and generics) is the leading cause of acute liver failure in the United States…

    And comfrey? How many failures? How many comas? And how many deaths? Tylenol to date has far more documented incidents.

    Folks, we have been hood-winked by bad science to toss comfrey aside. Fear has taken over based on science funded by Big Pharm interests. Nobody dares to speak because of the FDA ban and the consequences. Comfrey leaf has to be sold under the disguise of being slightly something else. This is where good healing plants go, under the radar. Will it take comfrey 50 years to make a comeback to the safe side like cannabis?

  3. Mandandi Avatar
    Mandandi

    Hi I have been using comfrey internally – buy tea bags at local uealth shop in Gaborone, Botswana since 2015, to help heal internal wounds left by systemic candida and other parsdite infections. Two weeks into drinking the comfrey tea, I had an unfortunate accident where a heavy piece of metal struck e below the left knee and the bone was visible. To my surprise, i didnt feel any pain, I only noticed the oroblem when blood oozed out udrr the jeans i was wearing, and then stopped with a few minutes. Everyone was surprised that I carried on with the day’s chores and activities when I should have been in agony. I knew I had found a winner in comfrey. I use a tea bag or two daily, but had a few breaks in between when I didnt have any tea bags at home. Its one of my favourite teas. By the way, I do yearly medical checkups, no liver or other damage has cone up yet so far, its 2019 now. I am fully healed from candida and parasitic infections.

  4. Bella Avatar

    I am scared to use comfrey internally and don’t make the tinctures or ointments myself, so I am really not sure what’s in them. However, I can ease bad toothaches from broken and missing teeth by rubbing good quality comfrey ointment along the jawline, close to the source of pain.

  5. Keith Avatar

    Hi, I read that when “they” done tests on Comfrey, they isolated the toxic part and when these results were challenged by the same test but using the plant in its entirety, i.e. just chopped up, there were no toxic side effects.

    Has anyone else read this?

    Because having had nothing but positive results using Comfrey, I wonder, suspect, these tests/sites claiming Comfrey is carcinogenic are sponsored by big drug companies.

  6. Betty C White Avatar
    Betty C White

    I thought I read once where you can make a pain relieving salve from the Comfrey plant. I have so much of this plant, that it takes over my flower beds. Would like to know if there is a way to dry the leaf and maybe add oil to it and use as a pain relieving salve or I guess an oil to rub on the area. (back)
    Thanks, Betty

  7. Christine Challinor Avatar
    Christine Challinor

    My late father in law taught me the valuable benefits of Comfrey leaves for bones. His method, which I’ve used for over 40 years, never fails!
    The only system I know of is to cut 6 larger leaves from the plant & place them in boiling water, then reduce heat to a rolling boil for 5-10 minutes. Pre-heat a pottery bowl & drain the hot leaves into it to lessen drips of hot water. Wrap each leaf, one by one, around the injury i.e whole foot & ankle. When all leaves are used, hold in place with a crepe elasticated bandage. Leave in situ for 24 hours before removal and an improvement is apparent the next day. Repeat the process if necessary.
    I’ve successfully used Comfrey leaves on family & myself for badly bruised areas, sprains and broken bones.
    I have a medical condition that results in brain damage, continually progressing. Primary progressive multiple sclerosis, is incurable so every day counts. I stumble or fall a lot when out of my chair.
    I’d love to know how to harvest or store the leaves for all year access. Plus anyone other methods to use, i.e how to poutice or other methods & their benefits.

    1. joel Avatar

      That medical condition was caused by vaccines, flu shots, pharmaceutical drugs, additives int he food/water/air, dental materials(crowns, bridges, fillings etc.).

    2. Karen D’Arcy-Edwards Avatar
      Karen D’Arcy-Edwards

      Read the Medical Medium books, he states the real cause of MS. I have been following his protocol for 12 months and my body has gone from off the scale pain levels to a bearable 2/10 and will heal completely. His books have sold millions and topped the NY best seller list.

  8. Elisabeth Allred Avatar
    Elisabeth Allred

    My son broke a bone in is hand playing football. We were referred to an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hands. After determining that surgery was unnecessary the Dr. had a splint made for my son and told us that it would take 6 to 8 weeks to heal. He scheduled a follow up at 4 weeks to check on the progress.
    Every night, during the time that it was prescribed that my son remove his splint, we applied a comfrey compress.
    At the 4 week follow up the Dr., a specialist in this very kind of break, was very surprised to find my son’s bone completely healed. He cleared my son to return to football at that 4 week visit. My son swears by comfrey to this day!

  9. Patricia Sanchez Avatar
    Patricia Sanchez

    I have progressive osteoporosis, break easily and have a bulging disc in my lower lumbar. I am interested in using comfy to see if I can get some pain relief. How would you recommend preparation and application of the plant?
    Thanks for your reply.

  10. Kimberly Avatar
    Kimberly

    Are you taking it internally, as a tea, twice a day or externally??? You didn’t specify….

  11. Steven Andrews Avatar
    Steven Andrews

    I have full spinal stenosis and I use it regularly (twice daily) it helps relax the muscles sure I can work . because it works.
    Steve

  12. Karen Edwards Avatar
    Karen Edwards

    I’ve used Comfrey as a poultice on a few occasions when I was a gardener. It actually does work wonderfully! It was my boss at the time who recommended it and I’m grateful she did.

  13. Margaret Hosking Avatar
    Margaret Hosking

    Enjoyed this so much.Valuable info everyone should know. Keep up the good work. I’m going out and harvest some of my comfry right now.

  14. Gail Avatar

    I am thinking of using comfrey on my dog who has fractured his pelvis, has anyone ever used comfrey on animal injuries and if so did it work?

  15. Norma Jean Slagel Avatar
    Norma Jean Slagel

    Yes yes! I have used a Comfrey root and leaf poultice for a broken metatarsal bone in my left foot! Amazingly the pain was greatly reduced and swelling as well within two days. Didn’t do much for the angry bruising I developed but by day three I was walking comfortable without pain and by day four in regular shoes with only slight discomfort. End of the week left only bruising to prove any harm had befallen my poor foot. Great stuff. Also I had added clay to the poultice.

  16. Gerry Avatar

    I had Achilles tendonitis for over a year. I went to a physical therapist, who was unable to help, it was suggested I do surgery. I looked up a healing herb. Comfrey came up I made a rub, applied to area, covered with my DMSO, magnesium rub. Within 3 mos the pain was gone, no problem 1 year later. It definitely healed my achilles!

  17. B Avatar

    I went to wholefoods and they no longer carry it on their shelves. I’m wondering if it will help knit bone detreated in one’s spine.

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