Symphytum officinale Fol / Comfrey Leaf Powder

**We have taken the decision to suspend sales of this product until further research has been done into the potential harmful effects of the PAs found in the herb. You can read more about this on our blog post ‘PAs in Medicinal Herbs.’ **

Description

Symphytum officinale, commonly known as Comfrey, is a perennial herb from the Boraginaceae family. To differentiate it from other members of the genus Symphytum, this species is known as common comfrey or true comfrey.  Other English names include Quaker comfrey, cultivated comfrey, knitbone, consound, and slippery-root.

It is native to Europe and it is known elsewhere, including North America, as an introduced species and sometimes a weed. The flowers are mostly visited by bumblebees. Comfrey grows in damp, grassy places and can be found along banks of rivers and ditches.

More recently comfrey is considered to be unsuitable for ingestion due to the naturally occurring hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) and it is recommended for topical use only.

Medicinal Action and Uses

Anti-Bacterial – Comfrey is said to have anti-bacterial and antiviral properties. It is sometimes used as an herbal treatment for sore throats and gum disease. Some herbalists say that it can be used as a medicinal herb for hemorrhoids or vaginal infections and is used as an herbal suppository.

Anti-inflammatory – Traditional uses include Comfrey in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, sprains and various other joint and muscle complaints.

Topical uses – Comfrey contains allantoin, a naturally occurring chemical which is known to help new skin cells form. It is used to treat burns bruises and wounds and also painful muscles and joints due to its anti-inflammatory and astringent properties.

Packaging

Product is supplied in Resealable Foil Bags.