Why is comfrey illegal in the US?

The pyrrolizidine alkaloids in comfrey can cause severe liver damage, liver cancer, mutagenicity, and even death. [8,9] For this reason, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has banned the sale of oral comfrey products in the United States.

What is the herb comfrey used for?

Comfrey has a long history of use as a topical agent for treating wounds, skin ulcers, thrombophlebitis, bruises, and sprains and strains. Comfrey has anti-inflammatory properties that may decrease bruising and help heal wounds when the herb is applied topically.

Is comfrey really toxic?

Comfrey has toxic substances that can cause severe liver damage and even death. You should never take comfrey by mouth. The toxic substances in comfrey can be absorbed by the skin. Even creams and ointments should be used for only a short time, and only under a doctor’s supervision.

How does comfrey heal?

6.2. Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) acts as an anti-inflammatory to promote healing of bruises, sprains, and open wounds when applied topically. The roots and leaves of this plant contain the protein allantoin, which stimulates cell proliferation and promote wound and bone healings.

Is comfrey good for your garden?

Comfrey is the organic gardener’s best friend. Its leaves are full of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium – all nutrients needed by growing plants. Master the use of comfrey and you’ll never need to buy expensive fertiliser again.

Is comfrey tea safe to drink?

The risks of eating comfrey You can also drink dried comfrey root and leaves as tea. Today, eating or taking any form of comfrey by mouth isn’t recommended. It’s considered unsafe, due to the pyrrolizidine alkaloids that comfrey contains.

Why do dogs eat comfrey?

Comfrey can relieve pain and produce anti-inflammatory properties that can help your dog manage joint pain. Although comfrey also contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, primarily on the root, which cause liver problems when ingested in large quantities. … It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Is comfrey safe to take internally?

Comfrey is not recommended for internal use because of the liver damage caused by its pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Patients with hypersensitivity or allergic reactions to the plant should also avoid external use.

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Is comfrey toxic to dogs?

The Merck Veterinary Manual lists comfrey as an especially risky herb because of its pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which have been linked to liver damage. The alkaloids are actually produced by the herb to fend off bugs, but the insecticide can be harmful to a dog.

Is comfrey toxic to cats?

This herb has been reported to cause liver toxicity and liver cancer in laboratory animals.

How do I get rid of comfrey?

You can get rid of comfrey in your garden by using organic acids like acetic acid and citric acid. You can uproot or dig the plant out of the ground and use it in compost, mulch, or liquid fertilizer. Or you can use a chemical like Glyphosate to get rid of the comfrey plant.

What can I plant with comfrey?

Is comfrey good for back pain?

A new study, funded by the drug company Merck and published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, showed that people with acute back pain who used an ointment containing comfrey root extract had significant reductions in pain, compared to their peers who used a placebo ointment.

What do you do with comfrey flowers?

There are many ways to use the comfrey plant

  1. As a compost activator. …
  2. To improve compacted soil. …
  3. Steep comfrey leaves to make a liquid fertilizer. …
  4. Use comfrey leaves as green manure and mulch. …
  5. Medicinal topical remedies. …
  6. Use in creams and infused oils.

How do you use a comfrey poultice?

Snugly wrap the cloth around the injured limb. Wrap second cloth (or ace bandage or twine) around and tie to secure. Leave the compress on affected area anywhere from four to six hours. Refresh with fresh comfrey as needed.

Is comfrey the same as borage?

Borage flowers are always blue while comfrey flowers bloom in white, pink and purple. The flowers have different shapes, as well, with comfrey flowers shaped like bells and borage flowers like stars. These two plants come from the same family, however, and look quite similar to each other when they aren’t blooming.

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Is comfrey feed good for tomatoes?

Comfrey has very deep roots, which means it extracts large quantities of nutrients from far below the soil’s surface, inaccessible to other plants. … It’s especially rich in potassium, making it the ideal feed to promote flowers and fruits in a range of plants, including tomatoes.

What does comfrey do for the soil?

Comfrey’s roots break up heavy clay and creating channels for aeration and better water absorption, similar to dandelion roots. Over time, its decomposing leaves and roots enrich and condition the soil. This dual action of decomposing leaves and roots can help improve marginal land.

How do you make tea from comfrey leaves?

Instructions

  1. Add 1 teaspoon of dried comfrey leaves to a teapot or infuser.
  2. Heat 1 cup of water to just shy of boiling.
  3. Pour water over the tea leaves.
  4. Allow steeping for at least 10 minutes.
  5. Strain the tea and use appropriately (only consume if approved by your doctor).

Which Comfrey is medicinal?

For over 2,000 years, comfrey root and other parts of the herb have been used to treat a variety of ailments. The plant (Symphytum officinale L) belongs to the family Boraginacea and has been valued in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic and astringent properties.

How do I know if I have Comfrey?

Identifying Features:

  1. Leaves Large, hairy, broad leaves. Feels rough to the touch because of the stiff hairs.
  2. Flowers Small bell-shaped flowers of various colours, typically cream or purplish, which may be striped. Common Comfrey flowers are usually white/cream. …
  3. Root Has a black, turnip-like root.

Is Comfrey poisonous to chickens?

Comfrey being low in fibre but high in protein is the ideal green to feed chickens. The allantoin is potentially health promoting and the high levels of Vitamins A & B12 results in both a rich yellow yolk to the eggs and a yellow tinge to the flesh as with the expensive corn-fed hens.

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Is Comfrey poisonous to horses?

What can I do with it and can I overdose my horse with too much? A. Comfrey is common in this country and tends to thrive in damp areas. … When fed in excess comfrey can become toxic due to the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are also present in ragwort.

How is comfrey invasive?

Re: Is Comfrey as invasive as some suggest? It is a bit like Mint in the way it spreads but a simple board restrains it. Be sure to get an infertile Bocking strain to avoid seeding.

Is comfrey safe externally?

Comfrey was rated least effective for haemorrhoids, varicose veins and boils and was considered to carry the greatest risk when prescribed for ulcers, wounds and boils. Conclusion: Practitioner experience suggests that comfrey can be used safely and effectively externally for certain indications.

How do you make comfrey infusion?

Fill a jar about 2/3rds full with dried comfrey leaves or dried comfrey root. Cover with a neutral oil, such as olive oil, and allow the herbs to infuse into the oil for about 4-6 weeks before straining. If you’re using fresh herbs, or trying to make comfrey salve in less than 4-6 weeks, try the heat infusion method.

Can dogs take horsetail?

Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) is not poisonous to dogs, but is toxic to livestock. Sheep, goats and cattle exhibit signs of poisoning after eating fresh horsetail. … Signs of horsetail poisoning are weakness, weight-loss, clumsiness, breathing difficulties and in severe cases, death.

How do you use comfrey tea?