Symphytum officinale
Comfrey
Symphytum officinale, commonly known as comfrey, is a perennial herb valued for centuries in traditional medicine. Rich in allantoin, it promotes tissue regeneration and wound healing. Often used topically for bruises, sprains, and inflammation, this potent plant requires careful handling due to its complex alkaloid profile and medicinal strength.
- Scientific name: Symphytum officinale
- Family: Boraginaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized into the order Boraginales and the family Boraginaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is established under the genus Symphytum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Boraginales | WCVP |
| Family | Boraginaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Symphytum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Symphytum officinale, is known by various names across different regions and languages. In Simplified Chinese, it is referred to as 聚合草 (zh-hans), and this same name is used in Mainland China (zh-cn), Singapore (zh-sg), and Hong Kong (zh-hk). Similarly, in Traditional Chinese, it is called 聚合草 (zh-hant).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 聚合草 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 聚合草 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 聚合草 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 聚合草 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 聚合草 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 康復力 | Wikidata |
| pl | żywokost lekarski | Wikidata |
| ko | 컴프리 | Wikidata |
| hu | fekete nadálytő | Wikidata |
| et | Harilik varemerohi | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Symphytum officinale, exhibits a specific distribution pattern throughout Northern Europe. It can be found growing naturally across the landscape of Denmark. The species is also widely documented within the territories of Finland and Norway. Furthermore, its presence extends to the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Together, these locations define its regional range across the northern reaches of the continent.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as comfrey, is highly valued in traditional herbalism for the specific properties found within its underground structures. The most therapeutically significant part is the root, which contains high concentrations of allantoin to aid in tissue repair. When harvesting, practitioners often collect the thick, fleshy roots to ensure a potent extract, as the medicinal compounds are most concentrated in this area. Whether prepared as a decoction or a topical salve, the root serves as the primary source of the plant's healing potential.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 4
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| root | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Symphytum officinale has 41 reported phytochemicals identified across 55 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include lycopsamine, rosmarinic acid, PA, allantoin, flavonoids.
- Total chemicals
- 41
- Scientific sources
- 55
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| lycopsamine | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| rosmarinic acid | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| PA | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| allantoin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| globoidnan A | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| globoidnan B | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| homospermidine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lasiocarpine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pyrrolizidine alkaloid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Symphytum officinale has 5 reported activities identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Hepatotoxic, Mutagenic, Teratogenic, Toxic.
- Total activities
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Hepatotoxic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mutagenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Teratogenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Toxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Symphytum officinale has 23 reported medicinal uses identified across 32 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, pain, bone fractures, contusions, sprains.
- Total uses
- 23
- Scientific sources
- 32
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| inflammation | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| pain | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| bone fractures | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| contusions | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sprains | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Wounds and injuries | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| abscesses | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arthritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| decubitus ulcers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |