Leung's Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids fromS.uplandicum
have also been found to cause chronic hepa-
totoxicity.^15 Veno-occlusive disease from in-
gestion of various comfrey species, including
leaves and roots, has been clearly documented
in humans.6,16–18

USES

Medicinal, Pharmaceutical, and Cosmetic.
Comfrey root and leaves and their extracts
are used as ingredients in various types
of cosmetic preparations such as lotions,
creams, ointments, eyedrops, hair products,
and others.

Food. Young shoot and leaves have been
used as vegetables, though that use is currently
discouraged because of pyrrolizidine alkaloid
toxicity.

Dietary Supplements/Health Foods. The
root and leaves of variousSymphytumspecies
have been sold and labeled as ‘‘Symphytum
officinale.’’^19 Formerly widely available in
teas, capsules, tablets, tinctures, extracts, and
so on. Many product manufacturers havewith-
drawn comfrey products from sale because of
toxicity. Topical products, including salves,

ointments, and balms, are still widely avail-

able (FOSTER).

Traditional Medicine. A root decoction is

reportedly used as a gargle or mouthwash for

throat inflammations, hoarseness, and bleed-

ing gums. The root, in one form or another,

is also used to treat a wide variety of ailments

such as gastrointestinal problems (e.g., ul-

cers), excessive menstrual flow, diarrhea,

dysentery, bloody urine, persistent cough,

bronchitis, cancers, and others.^20

Externally, the powdered root is used as a

hemostatic and in poulticing wounds, bruises,

sores,andinsectbites.Themucilageisbelieved

to help soften the skin when used in baths.21,22

COMMERCIAL PREPARATIONS

Mainly as crude; no uniform standards in

extracts (see ‘‘Strength’’ inglossary).

Regulatory Status. The United Kingdom,

Australia, Canada, and Germany have restrict-

ed the availability of products containing

comfrey. In July 2001, the FDA advised

dietary supplement manufactures not to use

comfrey due to safety concerns. Class 2a (for

external use only).

REFERENCES

See the General References forBAILEY1;BLUMENTHAL1;FOSTER;GOSSELIN;LUST;MARTINDALE;ROSE;
UPHOF.

1. G. V. Makarova et al.,Farm. Zh. (Kiev),
   21 (5), 41 (1966).


2. D. Fijalkowski and M. Seroczynska,
   Herba Pol., 23 , 47 (1977).


3. T. Furuya and K. Araki,Chem. Pharm.
   Bull., 16 , 2512 (1968).


4. T. Furuya and M. Hikichi, Phyto-
   chemistry, 10 , 2217 (1971).


5. L. W. Smith and C. C. J. Culvenor,J. Nat.
   Prod., 44 (2), 29 (1981).


6. D. V. C. Awang,Can. Pharm. J., 101
   (1987).
   7. H. Wagner et al.,Arzneim.-Forsch., 20 ,
   705 (1970).
   8. G. Franz, Planta Med., 17 , 217
   (1969).
   9. Z. Michalska and T. Jakimowicz,Farm.
   Pol., 25 , 185 (1969).


7. R. Andres et al.,Planta Med., 55 , 643
   (1989).


8. V. U. Ahmad et al.,J. Nat. Prod., 56 (3),
   329 (1993).


9. I. V. I. Man’ko et al.,Rast. Resur., 5 , 508
   (1969).

226 Comfrey