They can help you understand the potential benefits and risks. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned oral comfrey products.1 Since these toxic substances can be absorbed through the skin, there's concern about the safety of comfrey cream applied to the skin. While comfrey is well-known for its health benefits, it also poses some risks. Keratinolytics soften keratin, a tough, inflexible protein found in the outer layer of the skin. It’s available at many health stores and pharmacies as. Comfrey’s use in medicine dates back to the era of ancient Greeks and Romans.The roots and aerial parts of this plant were used in ancient medicine to manage sprains, arthritis, digestive disturbances, and skin ailments (). The comfrey plant has been used for medicinal purposes for over 2000 years. Traditional healers have also used oral preparations of comfrey to treat stomach issues, such as ulcers, colitis, and diarrhea. Most skincare creams do contain a little allantoin. Comfrey contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, substances that can cause liver damage, cancer, and even death, so it should be never be taken by mouth. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Use comfrey moisturiser. Traditionally, comfrey has been hailed as the herb to help speed the healing of broken bones. Benefits & Uses for Comfrey Skin and Bone Healing. Adequate moisturization is the key to natural, healthy, hydrated and soft skin. Without skin, people's ... While a small amount of comfrey’s PAs may be absorbed through the skin, when used within the guidelines stated above, the amount is believed to be limited and, therefore, safe to use (Groves, 2016; Hoffmann, 2003). It produces clusters of purple, blue, and white flowers, and it’s famous for its long, slender leaves and black-skinned roots. Read more >. What could be causing your skin irritation? Allantoin promotes granulation and cell formation which aids in healing at the cellular level. Read more >, The skin is made up of three layers, each with its own important parts. It contains compounds that can harm your liver. Comfrey was traditionally used to help mend broken bones. You should also avoid using it on open wounds. The root and leaves of the comfrey plant have been used in traditional medicine in many parts of the world. As mentioned before, comfrey is rich in allantoin, a compound which comes packed with chemicals that aid in cell regeneration and growth and helps protect your skin from damage.     “Symphytum, when used regularly on the skin, makes it softer, more supple and elastic. Hydrates Skin. Broken or damaged skin: Don't apply comfrey to broken or damaged skin. What is surprising is that this seemingly dull plant can actually benefit your skin more than you thought any humble plant ever could. This makes it moister, softer, and better hydrated. What are the best foods to eat during winter? However, studies have shown that comfrey is not safe to be taken for internal use as the plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are toxic to the liver. Symphytum officinale, aka common comfrey, is native to Europe and tends to grow fairly unnoticed. 1. The earliest recorded use of comfrey as a traditional, herbal remedy can be traced back to the ancient Greeks in 400BC. Comfrey contains an ingredient called allantoin, which aids the regrowth of skin, along with rosmarinic acid and tannins. Skincare Benefits Of Comfrey Herb. Comfrey benefits the skin by providing moisture and cleaning the skin pores – thanks to its astringent properties. It has both anti-inflamatory and keratinolytic effects and is useful in the treatment of skin conditions following post radiation in … Catnip is known for its intoxicating effects in cats, but does it work the same way in humans? Some traditional healers have also used it to treat diarrhea and other stomach ailments. Comfrey is extracted from its plant, which belongs to the family Boraginaceae. A.Vogel Comfrey Cream is safe to use externally. Comfrey Is the Best Skincare Ingredient. [note]Kucera, Alexander, Milos Barna, Simona Holcova, Ondrej Horacek, Marie Hladiková, and Bertram Ottillinger. Soothing skin issues The vitamin C in comfrey can help heal insect bites. Some researches suggest that the presence of certain antioxidants in comfrey makes it capable of preventing skin cancer. It's typically only used in small amounts for a very short period of time. Acts as a keratinolytic: in skin care products, allantoin helps to moisturise and soften skin and acts as a keratinolytic. A lot of cosmetic companies, however, use dried herbs and plants as a cheaper method to making skin creams. Do blemishes, acne, and marks bother you? Comfrey contains allantoin, a substance commonly used in the cosmetic industry. Historically, some people have eaten comfrey leaves as a vegetable. On par with calendula on that front, it … I have read and agree to A.Vogel’s Privacy Policy, Search for your nearest store in the UK by inserting your post code below, Echinacea - finding the right product for you. Vetiver oil is a lesser-known essential oil, but it has powerful properties. Comfrey is used as an aid for humans. This leafy herb grows well in sunlight as well as partially shades places. Comfrey is a skin-friendly herb which contains chemicals that protect the skin from damage and aids in the process of generation of new cells. How do your sex hormones affect your skin? Wrinkles are a natural part of aging, but for those who would prefer to slow the clock a little, the answer to your anti-aging skin care problems could be found in the garden. According to the same research review, results also suggested that comfrey can help treat osteoarthritis, as well as some injuries, such as ankle sprains. The roots of leaves of the comfrey plant contain chemical substances called allantoin and rosmarinic acid. When applied directly to the skin, Comfrey helps in healing rashes and irritation. Cultivation of comfrey started 2,500 years ago. Comfrey is also deemed helpful in easing pain from arthritis, muscle aches, and soreness. The regenerative compounds found in comfrey, such as allantoin, tannis and rosmarinic acid, help to speed up the natural replacement of cells and encourage new tissue growth. You should never take comfrey by mouth. Always talk to your doctor before using products that contain it. The bitter truth about sugar and your skin, Explore more from our skin advisor Felicity Mann, 10 ways to keep your nails in tip top condition, 6 fantastic ways exercise benefits your skin. Find out more about the part this botanical extract plays in hormonal acne treatment. Skin Health Advisor @AVogelUK Ensuring the skin is kept hydrated is of utmost importance when fighting the signs of aging, as hydration helps to plump the skin and leaves a dewy glow. These properties are thought to be a result of a compound known as allantoin, which is found within the root mucilage* that comfrey produces. It can grow up to 5 feet tall. A.Vogel Comfrey Cream uses only freshly harvested cuttings of comfrey from our farms in Roggwil. By softening keratin, allantoin allows the skin to hold onto water better. These are dangerous chemicals that can cause cancer, severe liver damage, and even death when you consume them. Need help with eczema prone skin, redness and skin flare-ups? Traditional uses. The comfrey plant contains several beneficial compounds which help to revive tired, aged, wrinkled skin. This article reviews whether kalonji may aid weight loss, as well as…, Shepherd’s purse is a traditional herbal remedy that’s often used to reduce bleeding. Therapeutic Uses and Benefits of Comfrey. What Are Steel Cut Oats, and Do They Have Benefits? Updated June 3, 2016. In herbal medicine, it was used for treating tendon damage, broken bones, lung congestion, ulcerations in gastrointestinal tract, joint inflammation, lung congestion and also promotes wound healing. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. You could apply it on abrasion, skin ulcers, and irritation. For example, a research review published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine found some evidence that comfrey can help heal abrasion wounds. In all of these case studies, comfrey does appear to have caused problems, but there are also multiple confounding factors, such as concomitant use of hepato-toxic drugs and malnutrition. Menoforce sage tablets for hot flushes - get £2.50 off. This article tells you all you need to know about shepherd's…, Licorice root is an ancient herbal remedy that's commonly found in teas, supplements, and candies — but you may have heard that too much can have an…, You may be used to thinking of the plantain in your garden as a persnickety weed, but you may not know that this plant has several uses as a food and…, Osha root has numerous traditional uses for respiratory ailments, but you may wonder whether any of them are backed by scientific evidence. Can vitamin D deficiency affect your skin? It is already used in many creams to help treat painful skin conditions, such as nappy rash, wind burn, scrapes and cuts; this is due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Comfrey Benefits and Uses for Skin, Hair and Health By Stylishwalks @stylishwalks. Comfrey may be safe to apply to your skin or closed wounds for short periods. Why is your circulatory system so important for your skin? Keratinolytics also allow the outermost layer of skin cells to shed more easily, creating a smoother, moisturised and improved. Keratinolytics also allow the outermost layer of skin cells to shed more easily, creating a smoother, moisturised and improved texture of skin. Skin-healing comfrey oil. It isn’t surprising then that comfrey is widespread throughout the British Isles. A rich, nourishing cream that gives life to tired, dry, ageing skin. In fact, the name comfrey comes from the Latin word Confervere which means ‘to join together, to mend or to heal’. You can also drink dried comfrey root and leaves as tea. Allantoin boosts the growth of new skin cells, while rosmarinic acid helps relieve pain and inflammation. If comfrey has an especially potent skin-healing agent, it is allantoin, which can be found widely in cosmetic preparations, especially those for sensitive skin. Softens: allantoin also acts as an emollient. It can help reduce the appearance of fine line and wrinkles and many find it to be effective for oily skin. Is your liver the most important organ for your skin? Comfrey is a miracle plant and is full of various health benefits. Comfrey may be safe to apply to your skin or closed wounds for short periods. Certain species of comfrey have cold-resistant bacteria, so can thrive and live in freezing temperatures. Experts suggest not using comfrey cream for longer than 10 days in a row a… When you apply comfrey to your skin, it can have some benefits on rashes and irritations. Comfrey is known to be a skin-friendly herb. It is found abundantly in the US and parts of Europe. Researchers have found that allantoin has soothing, firming and tightening properties. Comfrey Skin Benefits . Comfrey is often prescribed by herbalists and functional practitioners to treat bad cases of eczema, psoriasis and even acne. It was originally called “knitbone” and people used it to treat: Europeans have also used comfrey to treat inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis and gout. Could stress be fuelling your skin condition? Modern scientific studies have found some evidence to support comfrey’s use in treating minor wounds and joint pain, but oral preparations of the plant have also been linked to liver damage and cancer. It is found abundantly in the US and parts of Europe. Its healing properties are gentle and repairing for sensitive skin, anti-inflammatory and soothing for acne-prone skin, protective for youthful skin, and contain anti-aging benefits for mature skin. It’s considered unsafe, due to the pyrrolizidine alkaloids that comfrey contains. The flowering time for comfrey is May to June. It may also be carcinogenic. This is because comfrey can heal the top layer of the skin very quickly and if there is dirt or an infection deep inside the skin, then it can seal those inside the skin as well. Many experts also advise against using topical comfrey on open wounds. How to exercise if you suffer from a skin condition! Poultices made from comfrey leaves have been used for centuries to help mend broken bones, sprains, and bruises. Comfrey has traditionally been used a folk medicine for a variety of ailments, such as the topical treatment of painful muscles and joints, to aid the healing of wounds and skin cells, haematoma, broken bones, fractures, … Using comfrey for skin can help you fight the effects of aging and take better care of your skin. Allantoin is the key to beautiful, younger looking skin due to its ability to perform skincare wonders.... Reduces inflammation: the compound allantoin is viewed in the medicinal world as valuable. Health benefits of this beautiful flowering plant include: Wound Healing. ( 13 ) Allantoin has been developed as an approved medication for over-the-counter skin treatment for a variety of skin issues. What Are Licorice Root's Benefits and Downsides? Health Benefits of Comfrey. This purple plant thrives in damp, grassy places near farmyards, in ditches and by riverbanks. Even skin with large pores can benefit from it… This care is of such benefit to the skin that even wrinkles can be prevented from forming early in life.” – A.Vogel. They and can also protect our skin from bacteria and environmental toxins by drawing out impurities and encouraging healing. There are about 36 species of comfrey, each contributing to different health benefits. Overall, comfrey is beneficial to all skin types; it helps to moisturise and soothe dry irritated skin, promotes rapid skin-cell growth, contributes to skin renewal, protects against bacteria and other microorganisms, reduces inflammation and helps to keep skin healthy. 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