College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

 

AYURVEDIC HERB SUPPLEMENTS

Comfrey Root (Symphytum officinale)

Soothing vulnerary & nutritive anti-inflammatory

How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Supplement Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Comfrey is a renowned vulnerary used in bone fractures, hemorrhages, burns, wounds and ulcers. Its astringency stops bleeding while its demulcent nature is soothing and pain relieving. Allantonin in comfrey promote cell-proliferation for quicker healing of wounds. It relieves dryness and irritation.

Comfrey is frequently used for perineal tears after child birth.

Comfrey root and leaf have similar uses, but the root is more nutritive. Comfrey leaf & root is eaten as a food in many parts of the world. In Switzerland it is baked into comfrey cakes. In Japan, it is deep fried as a tempura treat. Comfrey's nutritive qualities treat anemia. (Source: Holmes)

Ayurveda Comfrey Root Whole Plant Large

Ayurveda Comfrey Root Flower Large

Ayurveda Comfrey Root Leaf Large

Suggested Use

1 dropper full 2x/day or as directed by your practitioner.
See guidelines for tinctures?

Metabolic Nature of Comfrey Root

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.

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COLD

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.

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GOOEY

ABOUT GOOEY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Gooey is identified by anything gelatinous (such as oatmeal), or by mucus congestion.

LEARN MORE ABOUT GOOEY

TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

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ASTRINGENT

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.

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BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes and is laxative, and drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BITTER

SWEET

ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SWEET

DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.

Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.

Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.

The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).

Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.

Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.

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PACIFIES
Kapha pacifying Pitta pacifying Vata pacifying

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

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PACIFIES
CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOLERIC

MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry metabolic nature. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Wet & cold. When out of balance becomes congested, stagnant, and overweight. Loving, trusting, and patient.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot & moist. Full-blooded, vigorous. Vivacious, social, and epicurean. Bullish.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

Other

Respiratory Health,
Skin Care

SKIN-CARE

Includes skin care, and anything that nourishes epithelial membranes (of digestive, respiratory, urinary tract, blood vessels, etc).

SEE ALL 'SKIN-CARE' FOODS / HERBS

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Comfrey Root
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)
Relieves Burning

RELIEVES-BURNING

Herbs that soothe a burn or reduce an internal burning sensation, such as aloe vera.

SEE ALL 'RELIEVES-BURNING' FOODS / HERBS

Analgesic

ANALGESIC

Pain reliever, reduces pain without eliminating sensation. Also known as anodyne.

SEE ALL 'ANALGESIC' FOODS / HERBS

Nutritive

NUTRITIVE

An herb that is strengthening and nourishing.

SEE ALL 'NUTRITIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Soothing

SOOTHING

Calms and alleviates irritation, discomfort or pain in a particular region.

SEE ALL 'SOOTHING' FOODS / HERBS

,
Vulnerary

STRONG VULNERARY

An herb used for the treatment of wounds (antiulcer, connective tissue tonic).

SEE ALL 'VULNERARY' FOODS / HERBS

,
Demulcent

DEMULCENT

Herbs that coat or form a soothing film over a mucous membrane, relieving minor pain and inflammation of the membrane.

SEE ALL 'DEMULCENT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Emollient

EMOLLIENT

Soothes & softens the skin. Often a topical demulcent or oil.

SEE ALL 'EMOLLIENT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Skin Tonic

SKIN-TONIC

An herb that strengthens and nourishes skin, improving tone, color, moisture and complexion.

SEE ALL 'SKIN-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Antitussive

ANTITUSSIVE

Cough suppressant, particularly for dry coughs or a tickle in your throat.

SEE ALL 'ANTITUSSIVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Lung Tonic

LUNG-TONIC

Strengthens the lungs. Lung tonics include antifibrotic, vessel tonic, or nourishing herbs with an affinity for the lungs. They aid recovery in acute or chronic lung conditions.

SEE ALL 'LUNG-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Antimicrobial

STRONG ANTIMICROBIAL

An agent that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth. Antimicrobial is an umbrella term that can be broken down into specific categories of target microorganism, such as anti-bacterials, fungals, and virals.

SEE ALL 'ANTIMICROBIAL' FOODS / HERBS

,
Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

Hemostatic

HEMOSTATIC

An herb that stops bleeding.

SEE ALL 'HEMOSTATIC' FOODS / HERBS

Bone Tonic

BONE-TONIC

An herb that strengthens the bones and joints.

SEE ALL 'BONE-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:

Foods with a Similar Nature to Comfrey Root

  • Honey

    Honey has these Actions in Common

    Antimicrobial, Emollient, Vulnerary, Antitussive, Hemostatic, Demulcent, Nutritive

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  • Aloe Vera Juice / Gel

    Aloe Vera Juice / Gel has these Actions in Common

    Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory, Emollient, Antimicrobial, Skin-tonic, Demulcent

    LEARN MORE

  • Jackfruit

    Jackfruit has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Nutritive, Demulcent, Relieves-burning, Hemostatic, Soothing

    LEARN MORE

  • Cassava Root / Yuca

    Cassava Root / Yuca has these Actions in Common

    Demulcent, Soothing, Nutritive, Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory, Relieves-burning

    LEARN MORE

  • Stinging Nettles

    Stinging Nettles has these Actions in Common

    Hemostatic, Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory, Lung-tonic, Bone-tonic, Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

  • Turmeric Root (Fresh)

    Turmeric Root (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

    Antimicrobial, Vulnerary, Analgesic, Bone-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Skin-tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Turmeric

    Turmeric has these Actions in Common

    Analgesic, Bone-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Skin-tonic, Antimicrobial, Vulnerary

    LEARN MORE

  • Sesame Oil

    Sesame Oil has these Actions in Common

    Antimicrobial, Nutritive, Bone-tonic, Skin-tonic, Emollient

    LEARN MORE

  • Sorghum Flour

    Sorghum Flour has these Actions in Common

    Demulcent, Anti-inflammatory, Lung-tonic, Antitussive, Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

  • Hibiscus

    Hibiscus has these Actions in Common

    Skin-tonic, Hemostatic, Vulnerary, Relieves-burning, Anti-inflammatory

    LEARN MORE

  • Milk

    Milk has these Actions in Common

    Bone-tonic, Soothing, Demulcent, Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Comfrey Root

  • Red Clover

    Red Clover has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Bone-tonic, Demulcent, Lung-tonic, Nutritive, Relieves-burning, Skin-tonic, Analgesic, Vulnerary

    LEARN MORE

  • Licorice Ghee (9oz)

    Licorice Ghee (9oz) has these Actions in Common

    Lung-tonic, Nutritive, Relieves-burning, Analgesic, Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antitussive, Demulcent

    LEARN MORE

  • Licorice Root (Yastimadhu)

    Licorice Root (Yastimadhu) has these Actions in Common

    Analgesic, Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antitussive, Demulcent, Lung-tonic, Nutritive, Relieves-burning

    LEARN MORE

  • Mullein

    Mullein has these Actions in Common

    Antitussive, Demulcent, Emollient, Hemostatic, Lung-tonic, Vulnerary, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory

    LEARN MORE

  • Plantain Leaf

    Plantain Leaf has these Actions in Common

    Hemostatic, Skin-tonic, Soothing, Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antitussive, Demulcent

    LEARN MORE

  • Horsetail

    Horsetail has these Actions in Common

    Hemostatic, Skin-tonic, Vulnerary, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Bone-tonic, Demulcent

    LEARN MORE

  • Cornsilk

    Cornsilk has these Actions in Common

    Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Demulcent, Hemostatic, Nutritive, Soothing, Vulnerary

    LEARN MORE

  • Bhringaraj

    Bhringaraj has these Actions in Common

    Hemostatic, Skin-tonic, Vulnerary, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Bone-tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Geranium

    Geranium has these Actions in Common

    Skin-tonic, Vulnerary, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Demulcent, Hemostatic

    LEARN MORE

  • Calendula, Marigold

    Calendula, Marigold has these Actions in Common

    Antimicrobial, Hemostatic, Skin-tonic, Vulnerary, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Comfrey Root may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any herb supplement for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Comfrey Root may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

Here are some potential herb drug interactions with Comfrey Root. Please see your health care provider for more information.

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