Symphytum officinale

Symphytum officinale, the true or common comfrey, is a deciduous, herbaceous plant belonging to the genus Comfrey (Symphytum) in the Boraginaceae family. The plant is widespread throughout Europe and Asia from Spain to China. It grows to a height of 30-60 cm and has a strong rootstock up to 50 cm long. The leaves are stalked, lanceolate and 20-25 cm in size. Symphytum officinale is used as a medicinal plant.

Comfrey root (S. officinale)

HMPC monograph: traditional use: external for sprains and minor bruises.

HMPC noted 4 clinical studies conducted with another comfrey preparation. According to these studies, reduction of swelling and pain. However, the exact composition of the herbal preparation used was not known, therefore the status of well-established use was not awarded.

ESCOP monograph: externally for pain and swelling of muscles and joints, arthritis of joints, acute back pain, muscle strains, contusions and sprains, epicondylitis, tenosynovitis and periarthritis.

Commission e-monograph: externally for bruises, strains and sprains.

Not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years of age, for no longer than 10 days.

Contraindication: allergy to comfrey, do not use on open skin or mucous membranes.

Phytotherapeutically the dried roots (Symphyti radix), but also the herb (Symphyti herba) and the leaves (Symphyti folium) of the comfrey are used.
They contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, allantoin, tanning agentsand several organic acids.

In cosmetics different extracts are used in formulations. The INCI names are:

• Symphytum officinale leaf extract of the leaf extract which is used as skin care product.
• Symphytum officinale leaf powder, the ground powder from the leaves which is used as an abrasive in cosmetic formulations.

The various. Extracts are used externally for muscle and joint complaints, bruises, strains, sprains as well as for local blood circulation stimulation. Internal application is not recommended due to various carcinogenic and hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

e.g. Kytta® pain ointment, cream; Traumaplant® pain cream

1. Araújo LU et al. (2012) In vivo wound healing effects of Symphytum officinale L. leaves extract in different topical formulations. Pharmacy 67:355-360.
2. Barna M et al. (2012) Randomized double-blind study: wound-healing effects of a Symphytum herb extract cream (Symphytum×uplandicum Nyman) in children. Drug Research 62:285-289.
3. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/index.php?en_pflanzen=87
4. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-symphytum-officinale-l-radix_en.pdf