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"Comfrey The ancient Greeks used powdered comfrey root poultices on wounds. Modern science has discovered that the plant contains a chemical—allantoin—that promotes the growth of new cells. comfrey also has mild anti-inflammatory action, adding to its value in wound and burn treatment. Traditional herbalists revered comfrey for digestive problems, but recent studies have shown that it contains liver-damaging chemicals, so internal use is no longer recommended. But for wounds, comfrey is still a great healer. How-to: Mix the powdered root with water to make a paste." - Kevin Trudeau, Natural Cures (Get the book.)

"Production; comfrey herb consists of the fresh or dried above-ground parts of Symphytum officinale, as well as their preparations in effective dosage. comfrey leaf consists of the fresh or dried leaf of Symphytum officinale. comfrey root consists of the fresh or dried root section of Symphytum officinale. Other Names: Ass Ear, Black Root, Blackwort, Boneset, Bruisewort, Consound, Gum Plant, Healing Herb, Knitback, Knitbone, Salsify, Slippery Root, Wallwort ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY COMPOUNDS: SYMPHYTI HERBA Allantoin (0.45-1." - Joerg Gruenwald, Ph.D., PDR for Herbal Medicines (Get the book.)

"Comfrey The ancient Greeks used powdered comfrey root poultices on wounds. Modern science has discovered that the plant contains a chemical—allantoin—that promotes the growth of new cells. comfrey also has mild anti-inflammatory action, adding to its value in wound and burn treatment. Traditional herbalists revered comfrey for digestive problems, but recent studies have shown that it contains liver-damaging chemicals, so internal use is no longer recommended. But for wounds, comfrey is still a great healer. How-to: Mix the powdered root with water to make a paste." - Michael Castleman, Nature's Cures: From Acupressure and Aromatherapy to Walking and Yoga--The Ultimate Guide to the Best, Scientifically Proven, Drug-Free Healing Methods (Get the book.)

"Also be sure of your species; poisonings have occurred from novices collecting toxic foxglove, mistaking it for comfrey. Range and Appearance Comfrey, a native of Europe and northern Asia, is a perennial that grows from 1 to 4 feet tall on an angular stem. It has large lanceolate or oval leaves which are about 12 inches long with a protruding midvein. The leaves get smaller as they get higher up the stem. Both the leaves and the stems are bristly. The bell-shaped flowers grow in curled clusters and can be whitish, pink, or purplish." - Brigitte Mars, A.H.G., The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicine: The Ultimate Multidisciplinary Reference to the Amazing Realm of Healing Plants, in a Quick-study, One-stop Guide (Get the book.)

"Comfrey—If the bruise is still a problem after a few days, an ointment made with comfrey-root extract can be applied locally. comfrey contains allatoin, a substance that is absorbed through the skin and helps stimulate the growth of new cells. (Comfrey should not be used internally.) Bromelain—This enzyme, which is found in pineapple, has been shown to facilitate repair of damaged tissues and lessen inflammation. Bromelain breaks down quickly when it is exposed to fresh air so, for best results, get a fresh pineapple and eat it right away." - Earl Mindell, Earl Mindell's Secret Remedies (Get the book.)

"However, large quantities of comfrey or daily intake should be avoided. Comfrey root is astringent, emollient and expectorant. It is grated raw for use in healing externally. The leaves placed in vegetable waste will reduce the offensive odor. The leaves of S. asperum (= S. aspemmum), rough comfrey - naturalized from Eurasia in N.Am. - are edible as well, as are those of the cultivated Russian comfrey (m.a.). Verbejvaceae Avicennia germinans (G-F 5) Black Mangrove After Abu Senna, an Arab physician in the Middle Ages. (= A. nitida) Gulf Coast - Fla. to Tex., Mex." - Francois Couplan, Ph.D., The Encyclopedia of Edible Plants of North America (Get the book.)

"Some of the most popular include: Allatoin, Aloe Vera, comfrey, Curcumin, Date, Grape Seed Oil (Vitis Vinijera), German Chamomile (Matricaria Recutita), Horse Chestnut, Olive Oil (Extra virgin premium organic), Pomegranate (Prunus Granatum), Soya, Black, Green, Red, and White Tea. Another example is the French company Zelda Gavison, which uses organic chocolate in its "Chocolatherapie" line as a skin stimulant and anti-aging ingredient. • Natural soaps. Certified organic vegetable oils are being used to replace synthetic detergents in many soaps. • Natural sunscreens and sunblocks." - Samuel S. Epstein, Randall Fitzgerald, Toxic Beauty: How Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Endanger Your Health . . . And What You Can Do about It (Get the book.)

"The principal plant source is the herb comfrey, a hardy perennial (Symphytum officinale) with small purple flowers. Because comfrey contains other compounds, the pyrrolizidine alkaloids, that are potentially toxic to the liver, comfrey itself is of questionable safety as an external remedy. Comfrey-derived allantoin is safe and nontoxic. It is used in skin lotions and creams, lip balms, sunscreens, and shampoos as a moisturizer and for its healing effects on the skin. Allantoin both promotes cell regeneration and helps relieve inflammation. Chamomile." - Mark Mayell, Off-the-Shelf Natural Health (Get the book.)

"Comfrey Gives Them Comfort A few people told us that they use the herb comfrey to stop bruising. 'Take a handful of comfrey leaves, boil them for 10 minutes, let the mixture cool, pour it in a foot tub and soak your bruised or swollen ankle or other body part for 15 to 20 minutes," advises one survey participant. In fact, comfrey has long been used for bruises and wounds, mostiy as a poultice, and it has two ingredients that may make it useful in this regard, according to Varro E. Tyler, Ph.D." - Gale Maleskey, Brian Kaufman, Home Remedies: What Works: Thousands of Americans Reveal Their Favorite Home-Tested Cures for Everyday Health Problems (Get the book.)

"Comfrey—If the bruise is still a problem after a few days, an ointment made with comfrey-root extract can be applied locally. comfrey contains allatoin, a substance that is absorbed through the skin and helps stimulate the growth of new cells. (Comfrey should not be used internally.) Bromelain—This enzyme, which is found in pineapple, has been shown to facilitate repair of damaged tissues and lessen inflammation. Bromelain breaks down quickly when it is exposed to fresh air so, for best results, get a fresh pineapple and eat it right away." - Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D., Earl Mindell's Secret Remedies (Get the book.)

"Food sources: yellow and orange fruits and vegetables Herbal sources: alfalfa, cayenne, comfrey, dandelion, elderberries, lamb's quarters, seaweed min A in the blood have also been correlated with low birth weight.51 Preterm infants have been shown to be deficient in vitamin A, which may predispose them to development of chronic lung disease.52 Healthy pregnant women who developed preeclampsia were shown to be deficient in vitamin A (but not beta-carotene)." - Tori Hudson, N.D., Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine: Alternative Therapies and Integrative Medicine for Total Health and Wellness (Get the book.) "These include licorice, slippery elm {Ulmus fulva), marshmallow (Althea officinalis), oat seed (Avena sativa), and comfrey {Symphytum officinale). It can be crucial to use herbs that provide pain relief while the other therapies attempt to repair the lining of the bladder. Common choices would be kava {Piper methysticum), crampbark {Viburnum opulus), wild yam {Dioscorea villosa), and valerian {Valeriana officinalis). CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH The most likely conventional IC expert will be the urogynecologist. Dietary modifications are standard recommendations." - Tori Hudson, N.D., Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine: Alternative Therapies and Integrative Medicine for Total Health and Wellness (Get the book.)

"Prevention magazine related how her own stomach ulcers disappeared by drinking comfrey tea for a while. Comfrey's success with this and external wounds and sores may be attributed in part to the silicon, potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen found in the allantoin. Comfrey for Cancer At least three major medical journals in the past have given positive support for comfrey's remarkable ability to reduce certain types of tumors. These include The British Medical Journal for Jan. 6, 1912, Vol. 114 of the Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology & Medicine for 1963, and Vol." - John Heinerman, Heinerman's Encyclopedia of Fruits, Vegetables and Herbs (Get the book.)

"Herbal sources are alfalfa, cayenne, comfrey, dandelion, elderberries, lamb's quarters, and seaweed. Vitamin C. Vitamin C plays a vital role in the formation of collagen—a major protein found in connective tissue, cartilage, and bone. It is essential to the nerves, healthy gums, and teeth and prevents infection. Although one study showed that women who took 5,000 mg of vitamin C daily during pregnancy delivered healthy infants who developed scurvy,57 this "rebound scurvy" is very rare, and the infant recovers quickly without treatment." - Tori Hudson, N.D., Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine: Alternative Therapies and Integrative Medicine for Total Health and Wellness (Get the book.)

"Russian comfrey) Family Boraginaceae (Borage Family) Etymology The name comfrey is derived from the Latin con ferva, "with strength." The genus name, Symphytum, derives from the Greek symphytis, "grown together," and phyton, "plant." Also Known As English: blackwort, gum plant, bruisewort, knitbone, nipbone, slippery root, walwort, woundwort The pyrrolizidine alkaloids have been shown to have hepatotoxicity, with the potenial for causing obstructive liver damage, when fed to rats." - Brigitte Mars, A.H.G., The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicine: The Ultimate Multidisciplinary Reference to the Amazing Realm of Healing Plants, in a Quick-study, One-stop Guide (Get the book.)

"Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) Also known as knitbone, comfrey has a good reputation as a wound healer. It is soothing, healing and anti-inflammatory. Uses Comfrey is used to treat fractures, wounds, sprains, psoriasis and eczema. Internally it has been used to treat gastrointestinal problems. Cautions Comfrey contains compounds which have caused liver damage in animals. It is not recommended for internal use. Crampbark (Viburnum opulus) As its name suggests crampbark is a useful remedy for carmping pains as it relaxes muscle tension and spasm." - Nicola Reavley, The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements and Herbs (Get the book.)

"Adverse Effects of Herbal Concoctions Herbal Product Adverse Effect Chaparral, comfrey, germander Liver disease Slimming tea Nausea and vomiting; possible death Jin bu huan Depressed heart, mind, lung function Lobelia Coma and death at high dose Yohimbe Kidney disease, seizures, and death Source: < http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/ds-ill.html >. not even dietary supplements, can potentiate and inhibit the effectiveness of licensed pharmaceuticals. Who would have thought that grapefruit or rhubarb would be on the latter list?" - Nortin M. Hadler MD, Worried Sick: A Prescription for Health in an Overtreated America (Get the book.)

"Nurture My Body Sliampoo - Fragrance Free Ingredients: water, decyl glucose, lauryl glucose, coco protein, seaweed extract, organic herbal infusions of coltsfoot, chickweed, nettles, horsetail, slippery elm, marshmallow root, comfrey root, calendula blossoms, chamomile flowers and oatstraw, sea buckthorn CO2, grapefruit seed extract www.nurturemybody.com DEODORANTS Erbaviva Jasmine Grapefruit Organic Deodorant Ingredients: organic grain alcohol, organic essential oils extracts of jasmine, grapefruit, ginger, safe, cedarwood, orange, and lemon www.erbaviva." - Samuel S. Epstein, Randall Fitzgerald, Toxic Beauty: How Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Endanger Your Health . . . And What You Can Do about It (Get the book.)

"Food sources: cauliflower, broccoli Herbal sources: alfalfa, catnip, comfrey, miso, seaweed Vitamin A. It is important to avoid oversup-plementation of vitamin A during pregnancy. Daily doses of 40,000 units or more of vitamin A during pregnancy may be toxic,47 while doses lower than 10,000 units appear to be safe." - Tori Hudson, N.D., Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine: Alternative Therapies and Integrative Medicine for Total Health and Wellness (Get the book.)

"These days there is little dispute that comfrey, whose leaves look like basil leaves, is a rapid healer for minor ills. But pregnant women, anyone with liver problems and perhaps many others would do well to keep up with the latest research on this herb. For more information, contact the American Botanical Council at 512-926-4900, or check out their Web site at www.herbalgram.org. • A Valuable Vegetable .^Vn unusual and effective treatment for a bruise can be found in your pantry: Onions." - Bottom Line Books, Uncommon Cures For Everyday Ailments (Get the book.)

"To prepare, simply mash fresh or dried comfrey-leaf herb (Symphytum officinale) with a pestle in a mortar containing enough apple cider or other non-distilled vinegar to soak the comfrey thoroughly. If a mortar is not available, either a suribachi or bowl and spoon work well. Then apply the comfrey-vinegar mash at least one-half inch thick directly to the injured area and bind it on with a clean cotton cloth. The properties of comfrey penetrate through the skin to help heal the injury, while the vinegar disperses blood stagnations." - Paul Pitchford, Healing with Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition (Get the book.)

"After icing for a while (a few 20-minute ses- '"1 sions should help), apply / ( p the comfrey compress. ^ rSi BURNS See also First Aid, page 123 An Herbal Ointment G 'hinese herbalists recommend covering scalds and burns with Ching Wan Hung ointment. Apply the ointment, available at many natural foods stores (and at Chinese pharmacies), directly to a clean burn. The ingredients are a secret, but according to herbalists, the ointment heals burns quickly. • French Fries for Fire-Damaged Skin?" - Bottom Line Books, Uncommon Cures For Everyday Ailments (Get the book.)

"Some of the most common herbs used for the relief of asthma and bronchial conditions are: euphorbia, lobelia, garlic, eucalyptus, coltsfoot, senega, vervain, aloe, echinacea, hyssop, horehound, honeysuckle, sage, aniseed, chamomile, ginko, comfrey, fennel, thyme, valerian, liquorice, passionflower and grindelia. We cannot cover all of them in detail, but here is more information about a number of them. GARLIC Well-known in the kitchen, there is more to the humble Allium sativum bulb than just folklore." - Dr Ron Roberts, Asthma Controlled Naturally: Techniques That Work (Get the book.)

"Generally high-magnesium foods include apples, apricots, avocados, beet tops, berries, black walnuts, Brazil nuts, cabbage, coconuts, comfrey leaves, figs, dulse, endive, greens, spinach, rye, walnuts, watercress, and yellow corn. Dosage: 400 mg/day. Also, diabetics should take at least 50 mg of vitamin B-6 per day, as the level of intracellular magnesium is dependent on vitamin B-6 intake. Without B-6, it is difficult for magnesium to readily enter the cell. CALCIUM Calcium is an alkalinizing mineral that helps neutralize the acidity of diabetes." - Gabriel Cousens, There Is a Cure for Diabetes: The Tree of Life 21-Day+ Program (Get the book.)

"Several cases of liver toxicity have been related to the use of comfrey, one involving a newborn whose mother ingested comfrey throughout the pregnancy. However, because hepatotoxicity is so rare, and successful results so common, some physicians continue to prescribe comfrey for oral use (not during pregnancy or infancy, however), but only for short periods of time. Other practitioners (myself included) are more conservative. We avoid the oral use of comfrey altogether and substitute other allantoin- and mucilage-containing herbs (ALOE VERA, MARSHMALLOW ROOT, PLANTAIN, SLIPPERY ELM)." - Ralph Golan, M.D., Optimal Wellness (Get the book.)

"Contrary to the opinion of some natural health practitioners, I have never seen any evidence of comfrey's having harmful side effects, only benefits, especially for the liver. See additional herbs in the Botanical Names section of the Appendix. For maximum effectiveness, it is best to use all these herbs, in combination, if possible. To do this, mix them together in equal parts (except for comfrey root at half the amount), and add 2 tablespoons of this mixture to 24 ounces of water." - Andreas Moritz, The Liver and Gallbladder Miracle Cleanse: An All-Natural, At-Home Flush to Purify and Rejuvenate Your Body (Get the book.)

"If both breasts are showing symptoms of infection or blockage, prepare two comfrey packs. Do not reuse the herbs. Repeat four to five times a day as symptoms persist. • A Hot, Herbal Compress soothing parsley compress may help flush blocked breast ducts and reduce inflammation. Place a handful of fresh or dried parsley in a piece of cheesecloth or cloth diaper and tie securely with string. Place the parsley bundle in a small pot of simmering water for 10 minutes. Remove and let the pack cool and drain for a few minutes before placing on the tender part of your breast." - Bottom Line Books, Uncommon Cures For Everyday Ailments (Get the book.)

"SYMPHYTI RADIX ¦ Blunt injuries Externally, comfrey is used for bruises and sprains, to promote bone growth, and as a mouthwash and gargle for gum disease, pharyngitis, and angina. Internally, it is used for gastritis and gastrointestinal ulcers. In folk medicine, it is used for rheumatism, bronchitis, pleuritis and as an antidiar-rheal agent. CONTRAINDICATIONS SYMPHYTI HERBA, FOLLIUM AND RADIX Comfrey is contraindicated in pregnancy and in nursing mothers." - Joerg Gruenwald, Ph.D., PDR for Herbal Medicines (Get the book.)

"Demulcent herbs include comfrey, marshmallow, flax, slippery elm, plantain and okra. Fresh leaves such as plantain are best chewed and placed on the skin. Comfrey Goo Comfrey goo is used on abused hands that are cracked and rough. Chop confrey root, not the leaves, in a vitamix with a small amount of water and then heat the goo. Dip the hands in warm comfrey goo and place in plastic gloves overnight or during a rest period. It is amazing how fast results are seen, even after the first application. SALVES A salve is a thick ointment." - Sharol Tilgner, N.D., Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth (Get the book.)

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