Used Part of the Plant: Comfrey root (Symphytum radix)
Description and harvesting
Comfrey belongs to the family of borage plants (Boraginaceae). It is a perennial herb that grows up to 80 cm tall. The stem bears large, ovate leaves, and the flowers are tubular, bell-shaped, and purple in color. Both the stem and the leaves are also covered with coarse hairs. The root is black on the outside and white on the inside, with a sweet and somewhat unpleasant taste. Once planted in the garden, it is difficult to get rid of. However, this is likely beneficial as comfrey is a very effective medicinal plant when needed. In autumn, when the stems dry out, the roots are harvested. They are carefully dug up to avoid excessive damage, cleaned, washed, and dried.
Constituents and medicinal use
Comfrey roots are used only externally, on the skin, in the form of an ointment. The roots contain allantoin, tannins, starch, mucilage, rosmarinic acid, inulin, and pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Allantoin and rosmarinic acid promote wound healing, the regeneration of connective tissue, and the formation of new bone tissue at fracture sites. Comfrey has anti-inflammatory properties, reducing swelling and pain in the affected area. It is used for treating fractures, sprains, dislocations, bruises, contusions, and strained muscles and ligaments. Comfrey ointment should always be applied to intact skin and should not be applied to open wounds or injuries. This is because comfrey contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are toxic to the liver. However, only a negligible amount of pyrrolizidine alkaloids passes through the skin into the body. Therefore, treatment with comfrey ointment should last no more than 14 days (up to three times a year). If comfrey ointment is not available, fresh root juice can be extracted and used as a poultice.
The use of comfrey is not recommended during pregnancy.
Monk Simon Ašič’s Advice
For fractures, prepare a poultice: mix powdered comfrey roots with water until a paste-like consistency is achieved.
Monk Simon Ašič’s product containing Comfrey:
Sources:
1. Domača lekarna patra Simona Ašiča. Priročnik za nabiranje zdravilnih rastlin. Celjska Mohorjeva družba.
2. Kromar J. Naše domače zdravilne rastline. Mohorjeva družba v Celju.
3. Prijatelj N. Rastlinske droge. DZS, Ljubljana, 2003.
4. Galle-Toplak Katja. Zdravilne rastline na Slovenskem. Založba Mladinska knjiga, Ljubljana, 2002.
5. Bohinc P. Slovenske zdravilne rastline. Vodnika za nabiranje in pripravo zdravilnih zelišč. Mladinska knjiga, Ljubljana, 1985.
6. Karlin M. Slovenska imena naših zdravilnih rastlin. Priloga Farmacevtskega vestnika, št.1-3/XV.
