Comfrey leaf,Information About Comfrey leaf Extract.

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Medicinal uses:Comfrey Leaf.

Comfrey Leaf Extract INCI Name Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract CAS 84696-05-9 EINECS ELINCS No 283-625-3 Comfrey extract photo picture image Rosemary Morrow writes that 'Russian comfrey and garlic could together, according to natural health usage, almost halve the present ills of western civilisation' (The Book Of Herbs, Pan 1976). An extravagant claim perhaps, but comfrey does indeed have a wealth of medicinal uses. One of its country names was 'knitbone', a reminder of its traditional use in healing. The herb contains allantoin, a cell proliferant that speeds up the natural replacement of body cells. This means that it will promote the swift healing of damaged or injured tissues, as well as maintaining cell growth and preventing diseases. Comfrey has been used to treat a wide variety of ailments ranging from bronchial problems, broken bones, sprains, arthritis, gastric and varicose ulcers, severe burns, acne and other skin conditions. It is also said to have bone and teeth building properties in children, and have value in treating 'many female disorders'. In past times comfrey baths were popular to repair the hymen and thus 'restore virginity'.

 The flowers of Russian comfreyInternal usage of comfrey should be avoided because it contains hepatotoxic pyrrolidizine alkaloids (PAs) (Note, there are also non-hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids.). Use of comfrey can, because of these PAs, lead to veno-occlusive disease (VOD). VOD can in turn lead to liver failure, and comfrey, taken in extreme amounts, has been implicated in at least one death. In 2001, the United States Food and Drug Administration issued a warning against internal usage of herbal products containing comfrey.

 Symphytine, one of the PAs in comfrey, causes cancer in rats. This was injection of the pure alkaloid. The whole plant has also been shown to induce cancer in rats.

 Avoid using comfrey on dirty or deep wounds, as the rapid healing properties of the allantoins may trap dirt or pus, leading to the formation of abscesses. A study has also found that livertoxic PAs are absorbed through broken skin.

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last edit date:29th,June.2009.