3Laboratory of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia.2Department of Biology Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia.1Graduate Program, Universitas Indonesia, Faculty of Pharmacy, Depok, Indonesia.Likewise, it’s essential to consult your doctor if you have any disease and want to use products with comfrey extract.Andiri Niza Syarifah 1,2 Herman Suryadi 3 Hayun Hayun 4 Adelina Simamora 5,6 Abdul Mun’im 6,7* If you experience comfrey overdose, seek immediate medical attention. You can use this last option 3 times a day, for up to 12 weeks. You can also use a 3.5 gram dose of cream with comfrey extract, tannic acid, aloe vera gel, eucalyptus oil, and frankincense oil. As a complement for symptoms of osteoarthritis, the dose is 2 grams of ointment with 35% extract of comfrey root, 3 times a day, for 3 weeks.For sprains, 2 grams of ointment with 35% comfrey extract are enough, 4 times a day, for 8 days.In the case of back pain, you can apply 4 grams of ointment with 35% comfrey root extract 3 times a day, 5 days a week.In any case, it’s always important to follow the recommendations of the manufacturer, pharmacist, or doctor. Treatments with acetaminophen, amiodarone, fluconazole, itraconazole, among othersīe sure to check out: Learn All About the Benefits of Dandelion What is a safe dose?Ĭoinciding with the research we mentioned, there are several standard doses that can be considered safe when using comfrey.Right now, it’s completely contraindicated for: Also, you shouldn’t use it in large quantities or for more than 6 weeks. For this reason, w e don’t recommend using it on open wounds. Now, although specialists consider it to be safe for topical use in small amounts, occasionally, some research has suggested that some of its toxic agents can be absorbed through the skin. Chemicals, like pyrrolizidine alkaloids, can cause liver damage, lung problems, and cancer, according to the evidence. Comfrey side effectsĬurrently, due to the findings on its toxic compounds, we don’t recommend oral comfrey remedies. Over a period of 6 to 12 weeks, people who used this remedy 3 times a day experienced a decrease in stiffness and pain, even more than those who used a placebo cream.

In research published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, applying active formulations of topical comfrey was helpful against the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. In fact, the effects of its application for two weeks have been compared with those of diclofenac gel. Preliminary evidence suggests that topical use of comfrey extract ointments can improve mobility and decrease pain in case of sprains. Read also: Arnica and Coconut Oil Ointment to Treat Lower Back Pain Sprains However, we still need further studies to corroborate these effects. Specifically, it seems that applying this product to the affected area for five days reduces the feeling of pain and tension. However, in a study published in Phytotherapy Research, creams that had comfrey root were helpful in relieving upper and lower back pain. On its own, researchers haven’t shown comfrey root to be effective against back pain. Therefore, it’s best to avoid its consumption completely and only use it topically, in specific cases. In fact, some countries have banned the sale of oral comfrey preparations and it hasn’t been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Although some studies support its medicinal properties, they have also warned about the presence of toxic products, such as pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can harm your health. Common uses of comfreyįirst of all, it’s important to note that comfrey is a plant that you should use with caution. What does the evidence say? Keep reading to find out all about it.

In fact, in countries like Japan, it’s known as knitbone and is used in the case of muscle sprains, contusions, and superficial wounds. In traditional medicine, people usually use the roots and leaves of the plant. It belongs to the Boraginaceae family and grows in the form of a shrub in countries in Europe, Asia, and North America.

Comfrey ( Symphytum officinale) is a perennial plant that people have used for various medicinal purposes throughout history.

Comfrey medicinal uses