Botanical name: Symphytum officinale
Other names: knitbone, woundwort, healherb
Family: boraginaceae
Part Used: root & leaves
Action (karma): internally, traditionally used for indigestion, stomach & bowel problems, excessive menstrual flow, hoarseness, periodontal diseases, bleeding gums, thyroid disorders, diarrhea, gastro-intestinal ulcers, hernia, glandular fever, coughs, lung conditions, hemorrhaging, cancer, catarrh, anemia, anorexia, sinusitis, lupus, lowering blood pressure & cholesterol, hiatus hernia, blood purifier, to ease inflammation of the joints & mucous membranes.
Dose: roots – simmer gently 1 teaspoon per serve in a covered pan for 15 minutes
Contraindications: none known
Recorded history tells of comfrey’s use, since ancient times, to heal wounds & broken bones. The genus name symphytum means to heal toegether, & for this use, it is known to assist the body to heal any part that is torn or broken, which also explains the reason for another common name, knitbone. It stimulates the production of cartilage, tendons & muscles. It is rich in chlorophyll which acts as a catalyst to promote healing within the body, rejuvenating old cells and promotes the growth of new cells. Internally, comfrey has been used for indigestion, stomach & bowel problems, excessive menstrual flow, hoarseness, periodontol diseases, bleeding gums, thyroid disorders, diarrhea, gastro-intestinal ulcers, hernia, glandular fever, coughs, lung conditions, hemorrhaging, cancer, catarry, anemia, anorixia, sinusitis, lupus, lowering blood pressure & cholesterol, hiatus hernia, blood purifier, to ease inflammation of the joints & mucous mumbranes. Comfrey was one of the most popular & widely used herbs of the last two centuries, people had faith in the plant, used it widely and experienced miraculous healing. Leaves or roots applied as a wash, poultice or ointment are used for bruising, sciatica, boils, rheumatism, neuralgia, varicose veins, bed sores, woulnds, ulcers, insect bites, tumours, muscular pain, pulled tendons, gangrene, shingles & dermatological conditions. Adding comfrey to the bath water is said to promote a youthful skin. Internally, comfrey has been used for indigestion, stomach & bowel problems, excessive menstrual flow, hoarseness, periodontol diseases, bleeding gums, thyroid disorders, diarrhea, gastro-intestinal ulcers, hernia, glandular fever, coughs, lung conditions, hemorrhaging, cancer, catarry, anemia, anorixia, sinusitis, lupus, lowering blood pressure & cholesterol, hiatus hernia, blood purifier, to ease inflammation of the joints & mucous mumbranes. Comfrey was one of the most popular & widely used herbs of the last two centuries, people had faith in the plant, used it widely and experienced miraculous healing.
Ref: ‘Ayurvedic Medicine by Sebastian Pole; ‘Ayurvedic Pharmacology & Therapeutic Uses of Medicinal Plants’ by Vaidya V.M. Gogte; ‘Yogi of Herbs’ by V. Lad & D. Frawley; ‘Herbs Are Special’ by Isabel Shipard.
