comfrey is useful in arthritis, gallstones, stomach conditions, asthma, ulcerated tonsils, in some cases of
various forms of cancer, ulceration of the kidney, scrofula, anemia, dysentery, diarrhea, leukorrhea, and
female debility.
DOSE: The entire fresh or powdered plant, 1 teaspoonful to 1 cup of boiling water, steeped for ½ hour,
taken four times daily, 1 cup a day. Of the tincture, 5–20 drops four times daily, by prescription.
EXTERNALLY: A poultice of the fresh or dried leaves or powder for ruptures, sore breasts, fresh wounds,
ulcers, swellings, burns, or bruises.
HOMEOPATHIC CLINICAL: Tincture of fresh rootstock collected before flowering and in autumn. Tincture
of fresh plant. Homoeopaths highly praised Symphytum and used it in many cases, for abscess, backache
(from sexual excess), bone (cancer of, injuries of), breast (sore), eye (pains in, injuries of), fractures,
glands (enlarged), gunshot wounds, hernia, menses (arrested), peritoneum (sensitive, painful), psoas
abscess, sexual excess (effect of), sprains, wounds.
RUSSIAN EXPERIENCE: In Russia comfrey, known as okopnik, is used less than it is abroad. In medicine
they consider an excess to be poisonous. However, they do admit that scientific and clinical analysis is
not complete. Folk medicine: Has a wide and varied reputation. They use the fresh or dried roots and
rhizomes in decoctions and teas as an astringent. In cases of internal and external bleeding, broken bones,
female complaints, ulcers, wounds, and many of the above mentioned.