Comfrey

Comfrey, Symphytum officinale, also known as common comfrey, is a deciduous, herbaceous plant belonging to the genus Symphytum in the family Boraginaceae. The plant is widespread throughout Europe and Asia, from Spain to China and Siberia. It grows to a height of 30-60 cm and produces a sturdy rhizome up to 50 cm long. The leaves are stalked, lanceolate and 20-25 cm in size, the bell-shaped flowers are white, yellowish-white, reddish-purple or purple or blue. It flowers from May to July.

The dried roots (comfrey root - Symphyti radix) and the dried herb (comfrey herb - Symphyti herba; Symphytum uplandicum) are used phytotherapeutically.

Cosmetics:

Symphytum officinale leaf powder (INCI)

Symphytum officinale leaf extract (INCI)

Symphytum officinale root extract (INCI)

Comfrey root has an anti-inflammatory, anti-swelling and anti-microbial effect and also promotes granulation and wound healing, as well as promoting callus formation. Improves blood circulation.

Ingredients: allantoin, rosmarinic acid, mucilages and tannins, hydroxycinnamic acid, non-toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

External: Bruises, strains, sprains, muscle and joint pain due to blunt trauma

Internal: Systemic application is contraindicated due to the hepatotoxic and carcinogenic effect of the pyrrolizidine alkaloids contained in animal experiments.

Use is not recommended during pregnancy, breastfeeding or in the presence of hypersensitivity to comfrey.

Comfrey preparations must also not be used in children under 3 years of age due to a lack of knowledge.

Arthrodynat® ointment, Hocura® spondylosis ointment, Kytta-Balsam®, Kytta-Plasma®f, Kytta-Schmerzsalbe®f, Syviman® N ointment, Traumaplant® pain cream, Zeel® T ointment

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2. Barna M et al. (2012) Randomized double-blind study: wound-healing effects of a Symphytum herb extract cream (Symphytum xuplandicum Nyman) in children. Drug Research 62:285-289.
3. Horinouchi CD et al. (2013) Botanical briefs: comfrey (Symphytum officinale).Cutis 91:225-228.
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6. Staiger C (2013) Comfrey root: from tradition to modern clinical trials. Wien Med Wochenschr 163(3-4):58-64.
7. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/beinwell.php
8. Wenigmann M. (2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs, phytopharmaceuticals, application. Urban & Fischer, p.77-78
9. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-symphytum-officinale-l-radix_en.pdf
10. Blaschek W (2015) Wichtl tea drugs and phytopharmaceuticals. A handbook for practice. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Munich. S 628-630