comfrey
Information, Symptoms, Treatments and Resources
What is comfrey?
The use of comfrey in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by
current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary
health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of
herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care
providers involved may be advantageous.
Comfrey is also known as Symphytum officinale, Russian comfrey, knitbone, knitback,
bruisewort, blackwort, black root, slippery root, boneset, consound, gum plant, healing herb, salsify,
and wallwort.
Comfrey has been used externally for bruises, sprains, burns, and swelling and as a mouthwash
and gargle for gum disease and sore throats. Comfrey has also been used internally for stomach upset,
stomach ulcers, hemorrhoids, and diarrhea.
Since the use of comfrey has been associated with serious liver damage, ingestion of
comfrey is not recommended. The FDA has issued a warning to consumers that the use of comfrey
may present a serious health hazard. Also, the topical application of comfrey preparations to broken
skin should be avoided.
Comfrey has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential
risks and/or advantages of comfrey may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated
manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health
supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health
supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
Comfrey may also have uses other than those listed in this medication guide.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not
a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009
