Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is a perennial herb with a history dating back over 2,000 years, valued in traditional medicine for its external healing properties. Often called “knitbone,” the plant was historically used in poultices and ointments to address sprains, bruises, and bone fractures. Today, acquiring comfrey depends on the intended use—whether for a ready-made topical product or for cultivation in a home garden. Navigating the modern market requires understanding the distinction between safe, commercially available forms and the raw plant material.
Understanding the Types of Comfrey Products
The primary factor determining the availability of comfrey is the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which are naturally occurring compounds within the plant that can be toxic to the liver if ingested. These PAs can cause severe liver injury, including veno-occlusive disease, and are linked to carcinogenicity in animal studies. Commercially available products are therefore sharply divided between those for external use and those formerly intended for internal consumption.
Most safe, prepared comfrey products are topical, formulated as creams, salves, or ointments, applied to unbroken skin for short periods. The concern with PAs is significantly reduced with external use, especially when applied to intact skin for less than six weeks. Products intended for internal use, such as dried leaf tea or capsules, are generally no longer found in major markets due to safety advisories. PAs vary by plant part, with the root and young leaves often containing higher amounts than mature leaves.
Commercial Sources for Prepared Comfrey
Topical comfrey preparations are readily available through several commercial channels, as they are considered safe for limited external use. You can often find creams and ointments containing comfrey extract at large retail pharmacies and drug stores.
Online marketplaces, such as major e-commerce platforms, are a robust source for various comfrey salves and creams. When searching online, look for products that clearly state “External Use Only” and specify the concentration of the comfrey extract. Specialty health food stores and herbal apothecaries are also reliable sources, often carrying brands that focus on standardized herbal extracts.
When purchasing a prepared product, look for formulations that use a standardized extract, ensuring a consistent level of active compounds like allantoin, which aids in skin regeneration. Reputable manufacturers often include mandatory warnings about the product’s intended external-only application. These commercial products provide the most immediate and convenient way to acquire comfrey for its topical benefits.
Acquiring Comfrey for Home Cultivation
For those interested in making their own topical preparations, acquiring the raw plant material for cultivation is a common path. Comfrey is a hardy perennial, and the easiest way to start a patch is not from seed but from root cuttings or crown divisions. The most common variety for home cultivation is Russian Comfrey (Symphytum x uplandicum), particularly the “Bocking 14” cultivar, which is a sterile hybrid that will not self-seed and spread aggressively.
You can purchase bare roots or small root cuttings (rhizomes) from specialty online nurseries and garden supply companies. These cuttings are small pieces of the root, often 1 to 2 inches long, that are easily planted horizontally a few inches deep in the soil. Starter plants, which are small, established plants in pots, may also be available at local garden centers during the spring.
If you choose to grow from seeds, you will typically be acquiring Symphytum officinale (True Comfrey), which can produce viable seeds and may spread more easily. Seeds require a cold stratification period of four to six weeks before planting to encourage germination, and they are best started indoors before the last frost. Whether using root cuttings or seeds, Comfrey prefers a sunny to partially shaded location with rich, well-draining soil, and once established, it is notoriously difficult to remove due to its deep taproot system.
Restrictions on Internal Comfrey Use
The widespread commercial absence of internal comfrey products stems from regulatory actions and safety advisories worldwide. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised dietary supplement manufacturers in the early 2000s to voluntarily remove comfrey products intended for ingestion. This recommendation was based on the potential for pyrrolizidine alkaloid toxicity and the resulting risk of liver damage.
Similar restrictions exist in other regions, such as Canada, where comfrey is banned from herbal medicinal products intended for ingestion. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) also places strict limitations, restricting the use of comfrey root to external application on intact skin only for short periods. This regulatory environment has effectively made commercial sourcing of teas, capsules, or tinctures for internal consumption virtually impossible in most major markets.