Comfrey roots, commonly known as Knitbone, Boneset, Black Wort, and Slippery Root, emerge as a natural healer, carrying centuries of trust. Enriched with essential nutrients like potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus, and silicon, Comfrey roots present a traditional yet effective solution for a plethora of health issues. For millennia, comfrey root has been esteemed in Europe for its beneficial effects in topical applications.

Clinically, comfrey is known to alleviate pain, diminish inflammation in muscles and joints, accelerate the healing of bruises and contusions, and may even support the management of fibromyalgia.

Despite its long history of internal use, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, along with other global regulatory bodies, prohibited dietary supplements containing comfrey in 2001 and advised against any internal use. Research has identified pyrrolizidine alkaloids in comfrey, which are harmful to the liver.

Nevertheless, comfrey remains valuable for external treatments. It can act as an effective pain reliever and anti-inflammatory agent, and it can also hasten the healing process of wounds.

Comfrey is traditionally used as an herbal remedy for muscle and joint pain. It helps to ease painful inflammation, soothe the skin, and assist in healing bruises. This herb primarily grows in the United Kingdom but can thrive in various climates, although it does prefer shaded areas.

By applying comfrey as a poultice or using its dried leaves on the skin, you may experience relief from conditions like ankle sprains, muscle aches, arthritis, and fibromyalgia. However, comfrey should never be ingested due to its pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are highly toxic to the liver. External use does not pose the same risk.

Pregnant or nursing women, young children, and individuals with any liver damage or disease should completely avoid using comfrey.

Other Names: Knitbone, Boneset, Black Wort, Slippery Root, Symphytum Officinale