What Is Comfrey Oil?

Comfrey oil is extracted from comfrey (Symphytum officinale), a perennial herb of the Boraginaceae family with a black, turnip-like root and large, hairy broad leaves bearings small, bell-shaped flowers. The plant is native to Europe and grows in damp, grassy places such as ditches and riverbanks. It is typically found in Ireland and Britain on ditches and riverbanks but it also grows in profusion in North America, and western Asia.

The plant has found widespread use in folk and herbal medicine, acting as a healing agent. Its oil, for instance, is ideal as a base for salves and has been used in folk medicine to treat wounds and skin infections.

Uses of Comfrey Oil

Many of the beneficial properties of comfrey are attributed to its high content of allantoin, a substance that promotes new skin cell growth, along with other substances that reduce inflammation and maintain healthy skin. Comfrey ointments have been used to heal bruises and pulled muscles and ligaments.

Previously, comfrey was used in its tea form to treat stomach problems, as well as ulcers, heavy menstrual periods, diarrhea, bloody urine, persistent cough, and even cancer and chest pain. But experts have raised the alarm on consuming it, as it contain toxic substances called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which damage the liver and can lead to fatality.

In the United States, comfrey is sold only in creams and ointments; countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Germany have also banned the sale of comfrey-containing oral products.

But this isn’t to ignore the potential healing effects of a common comfrey product, which is its oil. Comfrey oil can help you naturally address skin issues such as scratches, rash (including diaper rash), bug bites (particularly spiders), and shallow wounds. It is also deemed helpful easing pain from arthritis, muscle aches, and soreness.

Composition of Comfrey Oil

The comfrey plant contains substances thought to aid skin regrowth, primarily allantoin but also including rosmarinic acid and tannins. It also contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which are toxic especially to your liver.