![]() ![]() Unfortunately, few products are labeled to indicate their pyrrolizidine alkaloid content. For this reason, it has been recommended that when using comfrey preparations, the daily amount of pyrrolizidine alkaloids should not exceed 100 mcg. ![]() Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in comfrey can be absorbed through the skin. Related species of comfrey such asĬontain even higher levels of these toxins, and may be mistakenly sold as ordinary comfrey. In general, the root of the plant contains more pyrrolizidine alkaloids than the leaves. Long-term use of very low dosages may also cause harm. Oral use of comfrey for as brief a time as 5 to 7 days in a child and 19 to 45 days in adults has resulted in severe liver disease and death. The main form of liver disease seen with comfrey is a blockage of small veins that can lead to liver cirrhosis and eventually liver failure (hepato-occlusive disease). The active ingredients in comfrey are not known, but may include rosmaric acid, choline, and allantoin.Īs noted above, comfrey contains substances called pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are both toxic to the liver and carcinogenic. 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 withĪdditional studies, generally of lower quality, suggest possible benefit for shoulder tendonitis and knee injuries. The 10% comfrey cream led to significantly faster wound healing than the reference cream after 2 to 3 days of application. The higher concentration cream (10%) contained 10 times more comfrey than the low-concentration cream (considered the reference or placebo cream). In a recent, well-designed trial, two concentrations of comfrey creams were evaluated for the treatment of fresh abrasions among 278 patients (almost a quarter of whom were under age 20). Osteoarthritis of the knee, comfrey cream reduced symptoms significantly more than a placebo cream. In a 3-week double-blind study of 220 people with 16 Topical comfrey was also associated with reduced back pain (upper and lower) compared to placebo in a randomized trial with 120 adults. 13 In another randomized trial of 379 people with acute back pain, a topical combination of comfrey and methyl nicotinate cream reduced back pain (at rest and with movement), decreased functional impairment, and reduced use of rescue medication compared to methyl nicotinate cream alone or placebo. 2Ī double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 215 people found comfrey cream helpful for treatment ofīack pain. More modest benefits were seen in another double-blind trial, this one enrolling 203 people with ankle sprain and comparing a high-comfrey to a low-comfrey product. 1 Comfrey proved more effective than placebo in measurements of pain, swelling, and mobility. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 142 people with acute ankle sprain, use of comfrey cream for 8 days significantly enhanced rate of recovery. There is some evidence that topical comfrey might be useful in the treatment of various conditions involving pain in the joints or muscles where skin is unbroken. ![]() ![]() Therefore, it should not be used for the treatment of lacerations or abrasions (cuts and scrapes). However, for safety reasons, comfrey should not be applied to broken skin. Such preparations are marketed for treatment of minor wounds. Comfrey is commonly included in salves and creams that also contain such herbs as ![]()
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