2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Many have said that it has helped them with a variety of aches and pains! Transfer the cooled oil and butter mixture to a standing electric mixer or blender. What Are the Side Effects of Comfrey Cream? Mackinnon, M. In general practice, 'always expect the unexpected'. Wound-healing effects of a symphytum herb extract cream (Symphytum uplandicum Nyman) in children: A randomized double-blind study. After 7 years in this role and a further year working as a drug safety officer in the pharmaceutical industry, Bhupesh joined Holland &Barrett as a Senior Regulatory Affairs Associate in 2019. CBD oils being bought in high street stores such as Boots and Holland & Barrett are weak, low quality and don't provide the actual therapeutic advantages. Apply a small amount (not to exceed a teaspoon) topically 2-3x/day for up to 2 weeks. Browse our Sports Hub, Get 20% student discount with Student Beans, Discover the latest natural beauty products. Glass bowl with a lid One study followed 142 patients with ankle sprains. Ther Drug Monit 2001;23:698-708. Comfrey cream combines ingredients like oils or water and glyceryl stearate with Symphytum officinale (comfrey) extracts. Comfrey cream may help treat knee osteoarthritis, according to a Cochrane review of topical herbal therapies. Thus, it is not advised to ingest herbal preparations of comfrey unless guided by an expert pharmacologist and physician. Palestrica of the Third Millennium Civilization & Sport, 14(3). Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions before use. Koll R, Klingenburg S. [Therapeutic characteristance and tolerance of topical comfrey preparations. We currently have no information for COMFREY overview. Comfrey may be used topically as a cream, ointment, salve, or paste. To Use. J Pain. When the root is boiled in water, it forms a sticky, glue-like paste. Molecules. Some medications can also harm the liver. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are very toxic to the liver and are also carcinogenic (cause cancer). Giannetti, B. M., Staiger, C., Bulitta, M., & Predel, H. G. (2010). Topical comfrey is for use only on the skin. 2011;10(3):147-56. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2011.01.003, Laslett LL, Quinn SJ, Darian-Smith E, et al. A significant reduction in pain was observed in the groups using the comfrey product. A few studies show that comfrey cream may be helpful in the treatment of ankle sprains. For topical comfrey cream, look for products labeled as free of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. It contains chemicals that are poisonous. Complement Ther Med. Soaked foot in warm water with a few leaves of comfry. Available at: https://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/dspltr06.html. Drug-induced liver injury. Do not use extra comfrey to make up the missed dose. Additionally, there is scientific research demonstrating comfreys effectiveness at soothing muscle and joint pain, some of which are highlighted in this post. Tolerability and effectiveness of an antitrauma cream with comfrey herb extract in pediatric use with application on intact and on broken skin. How do you use it and are there any side effects? Modern science suggests that the ancients were correct in believing comfrey helps to heal woundsand relieve pain.3,4 In this article, well explain where comfrey comes from, comfrey oils remarkable health benefits and how to use it at home. 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 oil should be applied topically to parts of the body where you have muscular pain or discomfort. This perennial can grow up to 4-feet tall. J Agric.Food Chem 2001;49(8):3942-3946. 1 Since at least the 4 th century, people have used comfrey medicinally. Comfrey: ancient and modern uses. 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. (21), 498-507. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10354-004-0114-8, Natural Medicines (2020). Comfrey is considered likely unsafe to use if you are nursing a baby. British Homeopathic Journal, 90(01), 21-28. https://doi.org/10.1054/homp.1999.0460. Therapeutic use of comfrey is limited because of its toxicity. 2004;154(21-22):498-507. Buy 1 get 1 Half Price on Vitamins & Supplements, Popular Vitamins & Supplements Subscriptions, Buy 1 get 1 Half Price gut health supplements, Guide to sleeping better natural sleeping remedies, Living in the now, gut health & mental wellbeing, The thing that makes you different makes you special, Bhupesh Panchal, Senior Regulatory Affairs Associate, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5908267/, http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965229913001672, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22887778, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6363250/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6631335/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22887778/, https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-report/final-assessment-report-symphytum-officinale-l-radix_en.pdf, http://pennstatehershey.adam.com/content.aspx?productid=107&pid=33&gid=000234. After the consistency begins to thicken, turn the mixer up a little bit. View abstract. Br J Sports Med. Comfreycontains PAs, substances that can cause significant damage, including: Therefore, it should never be taken by mouth. However, it did not affect markers of inflammation or cartilage breakdown over 12 weeks of treatment. (2004). Smith DB, Jacobson BH. Public Health Nutr 2000;3:501-8. Swiss.Med.Wkly. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. root extraction help ease aching joints and muscles? View abstract. Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know. However, not a rate considered harmful for those with healthy livers.10,11, Masters Degree in Toxicology and BSc Hons in Medical Biochemistry. Complementary Health Approaches for Chronic Pain: What the Science Says. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Double boiler It's found in Europe, Asia, and North America. No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease. This is done by soaking the root in at least 50% alcohol for a minimum of two weeks. Label with the ingredients and date made. View abstract. Registered VAT no. Staiger, C. Comfrey root: from tradition to modern clinical trials. cup organic, unrefined cocoa butter Dosage: How Much Comfrey Cream Should I Use? Heat oil in double boiler gently then add beeswax until it melts. Remove from heat. Acupuncture for Chronic Pain: Update of an Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis. A handbook for practice on a scientific basis. Studies in humans are very limited. Comfrey may have been applied to the skin in a specific preparation to treat some of these conditions. Comfrey is a flowering shrub that grows in Europe, Asia and, now, North America. Influence of moderate physical exertion on subacute low back pain, after Symphytum officinale ointment treatment. 211727395. Arzneimittelforschung. In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 142 ankle sprain participants, a comfrey root extract applied 4x/day for 8 days improved pain, swelling, and mobility without any adverse reactions (Koll et al., 2004). 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. Tanret, I. and Duh, D. [Pharmaceutical sheet. Pyrrolizidine poisoning. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor if the condition you are treating with comfrey does not improve, or if it gets worse while using this product. Wound-healing effects of a symphytum herb extract cream (. A handbook for practice on a scientific basis. Kucera, A., Barna, M., Holcova, S., Horacek, O., Hladikov, M., & Ottillinger, B. Supplement use should be individualized and vetted by a healthcare professional, such as a registered dietician, pharmacist, or healthcare provider. Some drugs increase how quickly the liver changes and breaks down comfrey. 2013;27(6):811-7. Using a supplement like comfrey may have potential side effects. Registered in England: company no. Barna, M., Kucera, A., Hladikova, M., and Kucera, M. Randomized double-blind study: wound-healing effects of a Symphytum herb extract cream (Symphytumxuplandicum Nyman) in children. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. View abstract. View abstract. J Ethnopharmacol 1995;48(2):61-76. Beth Thomas, PharmD, is a clinical pharmacist and founder of BMT Consulting Services, LLC. A systematic review and quality assessment of case reports of adverse events for borage (Borago officinalis), coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) and comfrey (Symphytum officinale). Rad. 2013;163:5864 (2013) doi:10.1007/s10354-012-0162-4, Giannetti BM, Staiger C, Bulitta M, Predel HG. Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Feb 8, 2023. To use on established plants, dilute 1 part comfrey fertilizer in 15 parts water. Staiger, C. Comfrey: a clinical overview. To reduce the risk of side effects, never apply comfrey cream to broken skin or open wounds as it may be more highly absorbed by the body. Jurcu, R., & Jurcu, I. Avila C, Breakspear I, Hawrelak J, Salmond S, Evans S. A systematic review and quality assessment of case reports of adverse events for borage (Borago officinalis), coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) and comfrey (Symphytum officinale). Mei N, Guo L, Fu PP, Fuscoe JC, Luan Y, Chen T. Metabolism, genotoxicity, and carcinogenicity of comfrey. 2012;(1):41-42. Retrieved from, https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=295. Comfrey cream combines ingredients like oils or water and glyceryl stearate with Symphytum officinale (comfrey) extracts. Not all possible interactions are listed in this product guide. Comfrey is an herb in the Boraginaceae family and has small purple flowers. This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Br.J Sports Med. Mosby Elsevier. Grube, B., Grunwald, J., Krug, L., and Staiger, C. Efficacy of a comfrey root (Symphyti offic. We go to great efforts to ensure that the information on this page is accurate at the time that the page was last edited. Huxtable RJ, Awang DV. Kucera, M., Kalal, J., and Polesna, Z. Some of these components are thought to speed up wound healing by stimulating new cell growth. After eight days, the group that used the cream had significantly less pain than those who had the placebo. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study involving 120 patients with acute back pain, symptoms were quickly reduced in the group using 4 grams of an ointment containing 35% comfrey root extract 3x/day for 5 days (Giannetti et al., 2010). 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! Whenselecting a brand of supplements, look for products certified by Consumer Labs, the U.S.Pharmacopeia, or NSF. Wien Med Wochenschr. Phytother.Res 2012;26(10):1441-1448. Natural Standard. Fortschr Med Orig 2002;120:1-9. Book your free, one-to-one online consultation with one of our qualified advisors. View abstract. J Chiropr Med. Efficacy and safety of topically applied Symphytum herb extract cream in the treatment of ankle distortion: Results of a randomized controlled clinical double-blind study. Researchers have found it does seem to reduce pain in some conditions, including back pain, osteoarthritis, and ankle sprains. Symphytum officinale L., dermal use (Flexagile cream)]. For External Use only Do not use if you are sensitive to any of the ingredients. Phytomedicine. cup organic sunflower oil Vithayathil MK, Edwards M. Comfrey herbal remedy causing second-degree heart block: do not be outfoxed by digitalis. Allow the oil mixture to cool until it reaches room temperature, which could take 8-12 hours. J Toxicol Environ Health B Crit Rev. Other drugs may interact with comfrey, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. New South Wales Health, Australia. These third-party organizations test products to ensure they were manufactured safely and contain the ingredients indicated on the labeling without contaminants. Spine(Phila Pa 1976). Herbal drugs and phytopharmaceuticals. A large review released in 2013 about the medicinal uses of comfrey stated: It is clinically proven to relieve pain, inflammation and swelling of muscles and joints in the case of degenerative arthritis, acute myalgia in the back, sprains, contusions and strains after . Herbal medicine for low back pain: A Cochrane review. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released an advisory in July 2001 recommending that comfrey products be removed from the market because of cases of hepatic veno-occlusive disease. We're proud to make a difference, and you can to. Tunon, H., Olavsdotter, C., and Bohlin, L. Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of some Swedish medicinal plants. Healthy adults: massage about 1 teaspoon of cream into a local area up to 4x/day for up to 2 weeks. Inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis and PAF-induced exocytosis. The plant leaves have a lower concentration of PAs than the roots. Efficacy of a comfrey root (Symphyti offic. Readers must do their own research concerning the safety and usage of any herbs or supplements. #HBTechCareers. The warm weather has a way of encouraging us to get outside and move our bodies more. It is called knitbone or boneset, referring to the bone-like growth of its roots. However, further well-designed studies are needed. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Simply massage into the skin as required. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice. 2013;21(6):724-745. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2013.09.009. Comfrey is an herb in the Boraginaceae family and has small purple flowers. Do not take comfrey without medical advice if you are using any of the following medications: This list is not complete. Consult your healthcare provider before using. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. July 6, 2001. Other uses not proven with research have included skin wounds, skin ulcers, cough, sore throat, gum disease, joint pain, diarrhea, and other conditions. View abstract. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. Discontinue use if a rash appears. Megan Nunn, PharmD, is a community pharmacist in Tennessee with over twelve years of experience in medication counseling and immunization. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. There is no daily recommended allowance for comfrey, sold in creams, ointments, gels, and salves. Pour into bowl /jug big enough for all ingredients and safe for the mixer. DOI:10.1211/PJ.2021.1.69803. Thus, it is not advised to ingest herbal preparations of comfrey unless guided by an expert pharmacologist and physician. Latest: Senior Software Engineer - Front End Senior Software Engineer Senior Product Manager - Basket, Checkout and Payments UX Designer - Instore Tech. radix) extract ointment in the treatment of patients with painful osteoarthritis of the knee: Results of a double-blind, randomised, bicenter, placebo-controlled trial. Knee pain and stiffness can be a stubborn concern that keeps many from doing activities they enjoy. If your healthcare provider recommends it, make sure to use it on intact skin for a small amount of time, and be careful that infants do not ingest it. Barthomeuf, C. M., Debiton, E., Barbakadze, V. V., and Kemertelidze, E. P. Evaluation of the dietetic and therapeutic potential of a high molecular weight hydroxycinnamate-derived polymer from Symphytum asperum Lepech. This is because only a small amount of the pyrrolizidine alkaloids are absorbed through the skin (. (2004). View abstract. 1 It's found in Europe, Asia, and North America. Comfrey has been claimed to heal gastric ulcers and hemorrhoids, and to suppress bronchial congestion and inflammation. 2007;157(21-22):569-574. Complement Ther Clin Pract. Wichtl, M. (2004). What Happens If I Use Too Much Comfrey Cream? When buying commercial brands, seek those that have had the pyrrolizidine alkaloids removed, if possible. To make the cream, combine sunflower oil, safflower oil, coconut oil, and cocoa butter in a double-boiler over low heat until completely melted. 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). 2012;20(11):1209-16. doi:10.1016/j.joca.2012.07.019, Zago LR, Prado K, Benedito VL, Pereira MM. It should never be taken by mouth. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. The Pharmaceutical Journal, PJ, December 2007. Its ready when the mixture has solidified somewhat and has a cloudy, creamy, and slightly runny consistency. of India has issued Environment Impact Assessment EIA Notification dated 14th September, 2006 for according Environment Clearance(EC) to 8 categories of industries/projects by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. The Comfrey Controversy: Can and Should One Use Comfrey Internally? J Chin Med.Assoc. Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs. Follow all directions on the product label and package. Predel, H. G., Giannetti, B., Koll, R., Bulitta, M., and Staiger, C. Efficacy of a comfrey root extract ointment in comparison to a diclofenac gel in the treatment of ankle distortions: results of an observer-blind, randomized, multicenter study. 2013;5(5):CD010538. Learn more in. Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020. 2 Comfrey cream contains several active components (substances). Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
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