I have back issues and suffer from back pain frequently. The simplest way to use comfrey for a wound is as a poultice. Comfrey was used dried and sprinkled onto cuts and wounds where it caused fast scab formation and accelerated healing. It's typically only used in small amounts for a very short period of time. Don't take it If you have liver disease, cancer, or are taking any medication that affects the liver. Br J Sports Med. Additionally, a 2011 study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine found that comfrey ointment was superior to a placebo in relieving pain and stiffness and enhancing physical functioning. The study involved 43 patients with knee osteoarthritis and a six-week treatment period. Comfrey tea benefits range from the healing of bones to cut healing. Also known as knitbone or boneset, comfrey has a diverse reputation among herbalists.While it was historically used to treat a number of conditions in humans, it is mostly now used as a topical treatment for … Comfrey contains allantoin, a substance commonly used in the cosmetic industry. Plant Description. You might find that it is difficult to ascertain the correct level as most preparations don’t put the amount onto the label. Undergoing massage or taking up yoga may help alleviate pain and help people with back or joint problems function more easily. This notion is commonly believed to have evolved from the nickname knitbone that was often applied to comfrey. It is commonly available for external use as an ointment, liniment or poultice. Meredith Bull, ND, is a licensed naturopathic doctor with a private practice in Los Angeles. It is commonly applied to the skin’s surface to reduce the pain of strains, sprains and osteoarthritis. So it could just be the product I'm using. Ointments made … Lesions, burns and wounds reportedly heal faster when this cream is applied to them as well. Comfrey salve, balm or cream is on my must-have list for a well-stocked home medicine cabinet. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned oral comfrey products.. Creams and ointments containing comfrey were applied to skin complaints ranging from rashes to eczema and sores or ulcers. Wien Med Wochenschr. The following applications have been used in research:, For topical comfrey cream, look for products labeled as free of pyrrolizidine alkaloids.. They were used primarily to treat bronchial issues as well as to stop heavy bleeding. Find out how to make a salve for … Since I only use it once a month or so at most, I've not experienced side effects. Never apply comfrey cream to broken skin or open wounds. When the pain is very bad, I use comfrey ointment which really helps. I use a great deal of Comfrey leaf and root in compresses and creams for a person who has wounds or sores that are not healing well. Fractures were once thought to have been repaired by comfrey creams and ointments. Modern peer-reviewed studies are finding that topical comfrey preparations, such as comfrey salve and comfrey cream, are an incredibly effective herbal pain reliever. My doctor said I shouldn't use comfrey cream. Using fresh or dried leaves, combine with warm water and place over the wound, covering with a bandage. 2011;10(3):147-56. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2011.01.003, Laslett LL, Quinn SJ, Darian-Smith E, et al. You can add lavender essential oil for relaxation. They were used primarily to treat bronchial issues as well as to stop heavy bleeding. I've tried it for bug bites, burns and muscle aches and pains. It's typically only used in small amounts for a very short period of time. Comfrey tea, made from the perennial herb comfrey, is one choice of such tea. Although the researchers reported no adverse effects in either group, the use of comfrey has been associated with severe, even life-threatening toxic effects when used orally, and its use over open wounds must be undertaken with ]]> extreme caution ]]> . I broke my arm a few months ago. Experts suggest not using comfrey cream for longer than 10 days in a row and no longer than four to six weeks in a year as a general guideline, but it also depends on factors like skin thickness.. Comfrey has been cultivated as a green vegetable and has been used as an But when nothing else avails the pain, comfrey cream is a good option. I use 1/2 tsp of Comfrey and 1 tsp of Licorice Root to 2 cups of water. I don't know if the cream I have is potent enough or not. Phytother Res. However, a later study published in Osteoarthritis Cartilage in 2012 found some evidence that a topical comfrey cream containing comfrey extract reduced pain, but had no effect on markers of inflammation or cartilage breakdown over 12 weeks of treatment., Several studies show that comfrey cream may be helpful in the treatment of ankle sprains., Comfrey contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, substances that can cause liver damage, cancer, and even death, so it should be never be taken by mouth. The ingredients normally contain the root or leaf of the comfrey plant in fresh or dried form. Does anyone here use comfrey cream? Folk recipes mention using comfrey root tea to cure stomach upset and eating comfrey leaves fresh or cooked as a general tonic. Comfrey contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which are hepatotoxic, meaning they can damage the liver. For external use only. You can also buy comfrey plants, seeds or seedlings and grow them at home. Since these toxic substances can be absorbed through the skin, there's concern about the safety of comfrey cream applied to the skin. Given the safety concerns, it should only be used under the supervision of your healthcare provider. Effect of a blend of comfrey root extract (Symphytum officinale L.) and tannic acid creams in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multiclinical trials. Creams are used for bone and muscle damage, including osteoarthritis. The remedy may have a wide variety of health benefits, such as speeding the healing of broken bones, easing arthritis and treating ulcers. Comfrey cream is a natural substance made from Symphytum officinale, an herb in the borage family. It can, however, be toxic t… Comfrey tea can be used as an acne treatment. These reports have temporarily restricted development of comfrey as a food crop. In a randomized, controlled, double-blind study with 203 patients, applications of a 10% comfrey cream were well tolerated, reduced swelling and pain, and improved mobility (Kucera et al., 2004). Molecules. Comfrey root oils and extracts can be found in creams, ointments, bandages and wraps. This way you can have access to fresh leaves which are also useful for injuries. A significant number of professional medical doctors advise not to use the substance on open wounds based on its toxic properties. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned oral comfrey products.1 Since these toxic substances can be absorbed through the skin, there's concern about the safety of comfrey cream applied to the skin. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2010;44(9):637-41. doi:10.1136/bjsm.2009.058677, Cameron M, Chrubasik S. Topical herbal therapies for treating osteoarthritis. Comfrey is used in skincare because it has ‘healing hands’. It seems to relax the muscles and relieve pain. Avoid contact with eyes. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Comfrey cream sounds great but I don't want to use it if it's harmful. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). Regular hand lotion isn’t enough for those cracked, painful cuticles and the gritty, inflamed knuckles that ensue after a day in the garden. How To Use Comfrey For Arthritis – 2 Simple Ways 1. These dispensers typically believe ingesting the herb, traditionally in the form of a tea-like drink, will cure a variety of illnesses and ailments. 2016 Jan;41(2):116-33. doi:10.1097/01.brs.0000249525.70011.fe, Ⓒ 2020 About, Inc. (Dotdash) — All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. I … Comfrey is also capable of curing different skin problems like darkening, wrinkles, eczema, psoriasis, and dermal ulcers. Pulled ligaments and muscles are also frequently treated by comfrey cream. It can, however, be toxic to the liver. Comfrey contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, substances that can cause liver damage, cancer, and even death, so it should be never be taken by mouth. Comfrey can infuse well into the massage oil and does a good job at relieving the tender spots. The comfrey drink has also been prescribed by alternative healers to treat lung and bronchial disorders, and it sometimes is used as a blood purifier as well. I sweeten it with a few drops of honey and drink each morning. 2012;20(11):1209-16. doi:10.1016/j.joca.2012.07.019, Staiger C. Comfrey: A clinical overview. Study results revealed that pain intensity decreased an average of 95.2 percent in the group given comfrey ointment (compared to 37.8 percent in the placebo group). doi:10.1002/ptr.4612, Gagnier JJ, Oltean H, van Tulder MW, Berman BM, Bombardier C, Robbins CB. Have you experienced any side effects? Since its toxicity is easily absorbed through the skin, it can cause severe liver damage or even result in death. The presence of mucilage in the products is also thought to act as a binding agent. 2012;26(10):1441–1448. While the allantoins in it heal the sores, rosemaric acid reduces the inflammation. Side Effects . Despite safety concerns, comfrey is used by mouth for stomach ulcers, heavy menstrual periods, diarrhea, bloody urine, cough, bronchitis, cancer, and chest pain (angina). Herbal medicine for low back pain: A Cochrane review. I didn't experience any relief with any of them. I want to use comfrey cream but I'm scared that it will harm my liver. Soak a cotton towel in the mixture and apply it on the affected area. But it’s helpfulness doesn’t end there — it’s a helpful aid to ease pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis, … Comfrey cream doesn't do anything for me. The Medicinal Uses of Comfrey. I’ve received a flood of emails regarding my previous article about comfrey speeding up the healing of a fractured finger. It is now formulated synthetically. It’s also helpful for the more mundane, everyday scrapes, bruises, burns and bites we (especially children) so often experience. Most topical herbal preparations contain some comfrey, but some are more concentrated. Along with children, it is generally recommended that the products not be used by elderly people or females who are breastfeeding or pregnant. Other alternative therapies may help to ease the pain. The herb is now widely thought to only relieve the tenderness and swelling often associated with broken bones. @serenesurface-- I've not experienced side effects from comfrey cream, but I only use it when I really need to. Comfrey cream is typically used as a topical herbal remedy for painful muscle and joint conditions, such as low back pain, osteoarthritis, and sprains. It's also used in alternative medicine for the following problems: Here's a look at some key findings on the potential health benefits of comfrey cream: Comfrey cream could help ease back pain, suggests a 2010 study from the British Journal of Sports Medicine. The study included 120 patients with acute upper or lower back pain, each of whom was treated with comfrey ointment or a placebo for five days. It is commonly available for external use as an ointment, liniment or poultice. This isn't just for comfrey, it is for any herb that you decide to use to treat a medical condition. In light of this, the regular consumption of comfrey is not advisable. Comfrey has many medicinal uses but it is important to remember that just like any other alternative herbal medicine that you use, it should always be under the supervision of an herbalist or your medical doctor. 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what is comfrey cream used for

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