Comfrey leaf,Information About Comfrey leaf Extract.

Contents

• Basic Botanical Info:Symphytum officinale.
• Botanical Description:Symphytum officinale.
• Information About Comfrey leaf Extract.
• Comfrey Phytochemicals and Constituents:
• Medicinal uses:Comfrey Leaf.
• Actions and Indications:Comfrey Leaf.
• Comfrey Leaf Suggestions and Administrations.
• A rapid cleanup method for the isolation and concentration of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in comfrey root.
• Research Update:Comfrey leaf or Symphytum officinale.

Actions and Indications:Comfrey Leaf.:

Traditional Uses: Ulcers, fractures, bruises, diarrhea, cough, bronchitis, gum disease.

 Actions: Leaf - Vulnerary, demulcent, antihaemorrhagic, antirheumatic, anti-inflammatory. Root - Vulnerary, demulcent, cell proliferant, astringent, antihaemorrhagic, expectorant. Symphytum is an effective stimulant to fibroblast, chondroblast and osteoblast activity.

 Indications: Leaf - Gastric and duodenal ulcer, rheumatic pain, arthritis. Topically as a poultice or fomentation in bruises, sprains, athlete's foot, crural ulcers and mastitis. Specifically indicated in gastric ulceration, and topically for varicose ulcers. Root - Gastric and duodenal ulcers, haematemesis, colitis; topically for ulcers, wounds, fractures and herniae by application of the fresh root preparation. Specifically indicated in gastric ulcer and topically for chronic varicose ulcer.

 Therapeutics and Pharmacology:

 The impressive wound-healing properties of Symphytum are partially due to the presence of allantoin which stimulates cell proliferation, thereby accelerating wound-healing both internally and externally. In superficial wounds this acceleration of the healing process can prevent scar formation, but one must take care when dealing with infected wounds to ensure that the infection is addressed first. Allantoin is able to diffuse through the skin and tissues, hence its traditional use as an external application for the treatment of bone fractures. On the surface of the skin its action is aided by the contracting 'plaster' effect of the mucilage, tannins and resins as they dry. Symphytum is an excellent remedy in the treatment of chronic and varicose ulcers, and it has been used topically with some success in the treatment of psoriasis (allantoin promotes keratin dispersal).

 Allantoin is also effective when taken internally as it absorbed directly from the gut, so is of use in gastrointestinal disorders. In addition, Symphytum is rich in demulcent mucilage which augments allantoin's powerful healing action in gastric and duodenal ulcers, hiatus hernia and ulcerative colitis. The aqueous extract of the plant increases the release of prostaglandins of the F series from the stomach wall, pointing to a direct action in protecting the gastric mucosa from damage. An Italian study has demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity in vivo. Symphytum's astringency, due to its tannin content, will help arrest bleeding wherever it occurs. The mucilage also ensures Symphytum's usefulness as a bulk laxative and as a soothing remedy for the lower gut, and this may in turn operate by reflex to account for its usefulness in excessive menstrual bleeding, haematuria, and urinary spasm.

 Symphytum has been used with success in cases of bronchitis and irritable cough, where it soothes and reduces irritation whilst helping expectoration. It also has a reputed anti-cancer action.


 Effects on musculoskeletal disorders,Clinical data:

 In a prospective, open, multicenter, observational study, comfrey was applied topically 1 to 3 times/day over a 2-week period. The duration of morning joint stiffness decreased from 20 minutes initially to 3 minutes, and many of the patients eventually discontinued their use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy.

 In an open and uncontrolled study of 105 patients, a comfrey ointment was effective in alleviating symptoms associated with muscle pain but not for muscle pain associated with degenerative diseases. The ointment was most effective in treating muscle swelling, strains, pain, vertebral syndrome, arthralgia, and enthesopathy.

 Inflammation In vitro data:

 Symphytum extracts inhibited platelet activating factor exocytosis 90% to 100% in one study of anti-inflammatory actions.An aqueous extract from the roots of S. officinale initially activated the respiratory burst of mouse peritoneal macrophages and later inhibited it, thus activating synthesis of the enzymes catalase and superoxide dimutase.

 Inflammation Clinical data:

 Forty-one patients were treated topically over 4 weeks for musculoskeletal rheumatism with a PA-free ointment (n = 20) or placebo (n = 21). The musculoskeletal symptoms included epicondylitis, tendovaginitis, and peri-arthritis. Outcome measurements included evaluation of tenderness on pressure, pain at rest, and pain on exercise. Patients treated for periarthritis reported no improvement. Patients treated for epicondylitis reported improvement versus controls for weeks 1, 2, and 4. Patients treated for tendovaginitis reported improvement versus controls for weeks 1 and 2, but not at week 4.


 Cancer In vitro data:

 Symphytum was active against Lewis lung carcinoma, adenocarcinoma 755, and Walker carcinosarcoma 256.An aqueous extract and protein fraction of S. officinale stimulated the in vivo proliferation of Ehrlich ascites cells. The extract also exerted an antimitotic effect on stimulated human T lymphocytes.

 Wound healing:

 Efficacy in wound healing may be related to the presence of allantoin, rosmarinic acid, or to another hydrocolloid polysaccharide.Although the details of the study are limited, the antiphlogistic efficacy of 10 different ointments containing comfrey were evaluated. The various ointments were used to treat circular erythema created by UV-B radiation. The ratios of ingredients were not provided, but each ointment was measured for its content of allantoin, caffeic acid derivatives, PAs, and carbohydrates. Outcomes measured included changes in pain and erythema; topical application of the various ointments provided relief of these symptoms.Lithospermic acid isolated from the root appears to have antigonadotropic activity.

 Antifungal activity:

 Aqueous extracts from the leaves of comfrey strongly inhibited the rate of germination of Erysiphe graminis conidia and Puccinia graminis ureidospores of plant pathogenic fungi likely because of the plant's phenolic compounds.


 Other pharmacological effects:

 The percutaneous efficacy of an ointment of S. officinale extract was examined in 140 patients in a double-blind, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled study of ankle sprains. Patients received 4 topical treatments daily for 8 days.The primary outcome measure was tonometrically recorded pressure pain. Secondary outcome measures included ankle-swelling, limitation of movement, physician and patient assessment of efficacy, improved visual appearance, pain-scaling using a visual analog scale, and emergency medication (acetaminophen). Statistically significant reducations in pain, ankle edema, ankle mobility, and global efficacy were observed. No adverse drug reactions were reported in patients receiving active treatment.

 A Cochrane review evaluated a randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of topical application of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, 1 g of piroxicam gel 0.5%, and topical homeopathic gel mixture of Symphytum officinale , Rhus toxicodendron (poison ivy), and Ledum palustre (marsh tea). The results indicated that topically applied homeopathic gel was as effective as piroxicam gel.

 Cosmetic uses of Comfrey leaf:

 Several studies have shown that comfrey extract can have carcinogenic or toxic properties when taken orally. Whether those properties translate to topical application of the extract is unknown, but its alkaloid content makes it a potential skin irritant.This extract has many alternative names:Beinwell, Beinwellblätter-Extrakt, Beinwellwurzel-Extrakt, Comfrey, Comfrey Extract, Extractum Consolidae, Extractum Symphyti, Extractum Symphyti Radicis, Schwarzwurz, Symphyti Extractum, Symphytum Officinale

 Symphytum Officinale Extract is an extract of the rhizomes and roots of the comfrey, Symphytum officinale.From the application viewpoint,this herb extract has been reported used in product types such like facial moisturizer/treatment,moisturizer,facial cleanser,body wash/cleanser ,shampoo,toners/astringents,anti-aging,conditioner,baby shampoo,eczema/damaged skin treatment.The natural phytochemicals of the extract have a strong soothing and calming effect on the skin.

 Comfrey is a perennial herb of the family Boraginaceae with a black, turnip-like root and large, hairy broad leaves that bears small bell-shaped white, cream, purple or pink flowers.The herb contains allantoin, a cell proliferant that speeds up the natural replacement of body cells. Comfrey was 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 was reputed 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". Constituents of comfrey also include mucilage, steroidal saponins, tannins, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, inulin, vitamin B12 and proteins.Comfrey also contains numerous vitamins, minerals and proteins. These include vitamins A, C, B1, B2, and B3, calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, mucilage, copper, zinc and selenium. Comfreys protein content has been found to be comparable to that of legumes. Because of this high nutritional content, a number of herbalists use comfrey for targeted oral applications.It also facilitates the absorption of calcium into bone and increase the replication of skin cells.

 Comfrey Extract treats wounds, sprains, and broken bones. Recent study has pointed to Comfreys many phytochemicals as the primary source for this effect. It is postulated that allantoin (a protein), mucilage (a gelatinous material), rosmarinic acid (antioxidant), and caffeic acid are among the most important constituents responsible for the advanced anti-inflammatory and tissue regenerating actions of comfrey.Oral forms of comfrey are used for antibacterial and expectorant actions. It may also be used to assist in gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, diarrhea, and ulcerative conditions.

Reference:

• 1.Comfrey leaf,Information About Comfrey leaf Extract.

This article written and edited via herbalist of MDidea Extracts Professional. They run a range of online descriptions about this herb,including general information related and summarized updating discoveries from findings of professional scientisits this field related.Describe style aimed to form a useful detecting literature space where the intertwined threshold and related questions raise out and visualize themselves.

♣ last edit date:30th,Nov.2010.