The Power of Comfrey for Osteoarthritis, What Will They Find?
The ABC last week carried this article about an upcoming trial of the use of a herbal comfrey extract in the treatment of osteoarthritis.
Comfrey is a herbal remedy that has been used for centuries in the western herbal medicine in the treatment of bone, ligament, joint and cartilage related complaints. There is a good reason this herb has earned the nick name bone knit.
Comfrey, particularly the leaves, have been shown to be very high in a number of compounds that have anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, it has some of the highest concentrations of allantoin, an anti-inflammatory compound, of any known plant.
The potency of comfrey in the relief of inflammation associated with joint injuries, can be seen in trials that have compared the effectiveness of comfrey extract with diclofenac gel (such as Voltaren etc). While these studies used subjects with sprained ankles, the inflammation and swelling of a sprained ankle is similar to that of an osteoarthritis affected joint. Diclofenac gels are one of the first lines of pain relief for osteoarthritis and, found in many bathroom cupboards and first aid kits the world over. Comfrey was shown to be more effective both in reduction of pain, and reduction of swelling.
The problem with the use of not just comfrey, but any herbal remedy, is the quality and method of preparation. Bulk manufacturing methods and questionable motives often see products where the concentrations are reduced below therapeutic ranges or inferior quality plants are used. These practices will always reduce the effectiveness of the end product. This has contributed greatly to some of the scepticism about the effectiveness of comfrey.
The best way to use comfrey is when you have access to a plant. If you’re one of the lucky ones that do, this can easily form the base of a great compress. Simply take a handful of leaves, blend to a paste blender, add some olive oil and and smear the resulting paste over the area. This can be wrapped with a bandage and then covered in glad wrap to prevent staining sheets or clothing.
For convenience and cleanliness you can make this up in bulk as an oil or ointment. To make an oil add 500ml of olive oil, almond, or coconut oils, into a glass bowl big enough to fit over a pan. Add to this 200 grams of dried comfrey leaves. Simmer with the bowl over a pan of boiling water for 3 hours, then strain, and put into a glass bottle. To make this as an ointment melt about 3/4 cup of this with 100-125 grams of beeswax by stirring over a heat until mixed. This can then be poured into a glass jar where it will set. Beeswax can be obtained from most health food stores or supermarkets.
To add some extra punch to this already powerful natural remedy mix in some essential oils. Wintergreen essential oil is often recommended for warming, anti-inflammatory formulas. This essential oil, or a synthetic derivative, is often what gives commercial creams their distinctive smell and heat.