Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs. This article discusses the uses and benefits of comfrey cream. They help us to understand how people use the website and give us the ability to provide targeted marketing to you. Holland Barrett | Careers 4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars (225) $19.95 $ 19. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Comfrey oil is made by infusing the leaves and roots of a comfrey plant with a neutral oil. Comfrey is likley unsafe to take by mouth. These include allantoin, rosmarinic acid, and others. In Western Europe, comfrey has been used topically for treating inflammatory disorders such as arthritis, gout, and thrombophlebitis, and internally for treating diarrhea. Topical comfrey is for use only on the skin. Pabst H, Schaefer A, Staiger C, Junker-samek M, Predel HG. Potters Comfrey Oil | Holland & Barrett Shop our range of Potter's Herbals products at Holland & Barrett, including Potters Comfrey Oil. You can purchase the Comfrey Ointment at Boots, Tesco, Sainsbury's or Holland & Barrett. New South Wales Health, Australia. Additionally, there is scientific research demonstrating comfreys effectiveness at soothing muscle and joint pain, some of which are highlighted in this post. Using different formulations together increases the risk of an overdose. The groups using the herbal preparations reported a significantly greater reduction in pain and stiffness associated with osteoarthritis of the knee without serious adverse reactions (Smith & Jacobson, 2011). (Grube et al., 2007). Metabolism, genotoxicity, and carcinogenicity of comfrey. This is memorable if you have worked with it, and some use this quality to remember comfreys centuries-long useapplying comfrey over bones, bruises, sprains, and minor wounds with the intention to support mending! Registered office: Samuel Ryder House, Barling Way, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV10 7RH. Hybrids and other species may have a similar appearance but could have significantly different amounts of the toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (Kucera et al., 2018). DOI:10.1211/PJ.2021.1.69803. Documented adverse effects (the pyrrolizidine alkaloids, have substantial risk of causing fatal liver damage and can cause abortion). Consult your healthcare provider before using. Poisons Legislation Circular 3-22-1993;60. Food and Drug Administration. Comfrey has been claimed to heal gastric ulcers and hemorrhoids, and to suppress bronchial congestion and inflammation. randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multi-clinical trial. A handbook for practice on a scientific basis. Avoid using comfrey extracts on broken skin or open wounds. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination. Drug-induced liver injury. Avoid taking comfrey orally (by mouth). Complementary Health Approaches for Chronic Pain: What the Science Says. Select a condition to view a list of vitamins. The efficacy and safety of comfrey. Arzneimittelforschung. Yield: Approximately 5 cups of whipped lotion. When harvesting comfrey or buying from a non-commercial supplier, note that there is variety within the species. Stewart MJ, Steenkamp V. Pyrrolizidine poisoning: a neglected area in human toxicology. 2012;26(10):14411448. Do not use different forms (tablets, liquid, tincture, teas, etc) of comfrey at the same time without medical advice. Although topical comfrey has been used for this indication, there's little evidence that it helps and can pose a big risk for nursing babies. 2010;44(9):637-41. doi:10.1136/bjsm.2009.058677, Cameron M, Chrubasik S. Topical herbal therapies for treating osteoarthritis. Many have said that it has helped them with a variety of aches and pains! Comfrey is changed and broken down by the liver. (2001). J Chin Med.Assoc. Children, who suffer from these injuries the most, are statistically unlikely to have adverse reactions to comfrey oil when used on scrapes.5, When comfrey was applied topically to animals above where theyd suffered bone fractures, their bones healed at a much-improved rate than animals who hadnt been treated with comfrey.6, Leg ulcers are uncomfortable, prone to infection, and can take a long time to heal. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Registered VAT no. Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is a plant with yellow or purple flowers found in Europe, Asia, and North America. View abstract. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Newer Post Older . A few studies show that comfrey cream may be helpful in the treatment of ankle sprains. For External Use only Do not use if you are sensitive to any of the ingredients. Symphyti) bei Sprunggelenks-distorsionen. Comfrey shouldn't be used in any form during pregnancy or nursing due to the risk of liver damage to infants. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Need some help with an order or want to speak to a member of our Customer Services team? 2 cups organic, unrefined coconut oil In another study, participants with ankle sprains received either comfrey root extract cream or diclofenac gel, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Can quickly relieve muscle and joint pain. The efficacy and safety of a homeopathic gel in the treatment of acute low back pain: a multi-centre, randomised, double-blind comparative clinical trial. Koll, R., Buhr, M., Dieter, R., Pabst, H., Predel, H. G., Petrowicz, O., & Staiger, C. (2004). The ankle swelling decreased by 79.5% in the comfrey root group and 69.4% in the diclofenac group. Be sure to choose organic carrier oils and essential oils when possible. This is done by soaking the root in at least 50% alcohol for a minimum of two weeks. Mei N, Guo L, Fu PP, Fuscoe JC, Luan Y, Chen T. Metabolism, genotoxicity, and carcinogenicity of comfrey. Results of an observational study of patients]. Complement Ther Med. Comfrey is a flowering shrub that grows in Europe, Asia and, now, North America. 2012;101(4):211-216. Understand comfreys contraindications before using it. Three clinical studies have provided evidence that ointments containing comfrey root have helped reduce back pain. Other herbal supplements that may have benefits for back pain include: Some other supplements that may be useful for osteoarthritis are: Back pain is often treated with medication such as over-the-counter pain relievers. Join Rewards for Life today and we'll give you 300 points worth 3, Save 5% on your favourite products, plus get the lowest price from the last 90 days and free delivery on orders over 10. After eight days, the group that used the cream had significantly less pain than those who had the placebo. Phytomedicine. Thus, it is not advised to ingest herbal preparations of comfrey unless guided by an expert pharmacologist and physician. Topical preparations of comfrey are generally safe provided they are not applied excessively or to an open wound. View abstract. For one of these studies, the average time participants had experienced knee pain and stiffness leading up to the study was six and a half years! A critical scoping review of external uses of comfrey (Symphytum spp.). British Homeopathic Journal, 90(01), 21-28. https://doi.org/10.1054/homp.1999.0460. However, even if supplements are third-party tested, that doesn't mean they are necessarily safe for all or effective in general. We cover all you need to know in this article. 2013;21(6):724-45. At least three human studies found that the topical use of a cream containing comfrey root extract may safely help with pain, swelling, and mobility symptoms associated with an ankle sprain. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease. Here's a look at research on comfrey cream for back pain, osteoarthritis, and ankle sprains. View abstract. Comfrey is not recommended for children under three years old, as it's not been studied in that population. , 43 volunteers with osteoarthritis used either a topical cream containing comfrey, tannic acid, and eucalyptus or a placebo cream 3x/ day for 6 weeks. Rad. Huxtable RJ, Awang DV. This perennial can grow up to 4-feet tall. While larger and more studies are needed to fully determine safety and effectiveness, short term topical application of comfrey may give you peace of mind, relief, and support while you rest and heal, following any additional advice from your physician. Efficacy and safety of comfrey root extract ointment in the treatment of acute upper or lower back pain: results of a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial. Comfrey may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide. Efficacy of a comfrey root (Symphyti offic. reduce lower back pain (Stam et al., 2001). What are the benefits of using it? Consult with a licensed healthcare professional before using any herbal/health supplement. Those who used the comfrey ointment experienced improvements in pain, mobility, and quality of life. Recent studies have suggested topical benefits, but more research is needed. Study results revealed that pain intensity during active movement decreased an average of 95.2% in the group given comfrey ointment. Comfrey root: from tradition to modern clinical trials, Efficacy and safety of comfrey root extract ointment in the treatment of acute upper or lower back pain: results of a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial, Topical herbal therapies for treating osteoarthritis, 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, Treatment with 4Jointz reduces knee pain over 12 weeks of treatment in patients with clinical knee osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled trial. Would you like to win our brilliant Botanical Business Package with nearly $1,000 in prizes? Book your free, one-to-one online consultation with one of our qualified advisors. Wien.Med Wochenschr. CLICK HERE TO ENTER! Whenselecting a brand of supplements, look for products certified by Consumer Labs, the U.S.Pharmacopeia, or NSF. Discard after a year or according to labeling. Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is a plant with yellow or purple flowers found in Europe, Asia, and North America. View abstract. Make sure to always buy comfrey. comfrey cream holland and barrettfeathered friend questions and answers. Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Whether you are treated by a medical doctor or a practitioner trained in the use of natural medicines/supplements, make sure all your healthcare providers know about all of your medical conditions and treatments. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. It also covers side effects, interactions, and what to look for. Homeopathy. State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority, Jharkhand The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Comfrey oil should be applied topically to parts of the body where you have muscular pain or discomfort. We go to great efforts to ensure that the information on this page is accurate at the time that the page was last edited. Dietary supplements are not regulated like drugs in the United States, meaning the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve them for safety and effectiveness before products are marketed. Quis autem velum iure reprehe nderit. 7-6-2001; Lin, C. C., Yang, C. C., Phua, D. H., Deng, J. F., and Lu, L. H. An outbreak of foxglove leaf poisoning.