Symphytum officinale
What's the taxonomical classification of Symphytum officinale?
Symphytuum officinale belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within this lineage, it is categorized under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae. Its taxonomic progression continues through the order Boraginales and the family Boraginaceae, eventually reaching its specific designation within the genus Symphytum. Finally, the plant is identified at the species level as officinale.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Boraginales |
| Family | Boraginaceae |
| Genus | Symphytum |
| Species | officinale |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Symphytum officinale has a thick, fleshy rhizome from which grows a basal rosette of large, lanceolate leaves that feature bristly, hairy surfaces and rugose textures. The stems are erect and hairy, often reaching heights of up to one meter as they transition from the base to the flowering portion. Leaves arranged alternately along the stem are typically much smaller than the basal ones and possess entire or slightly wavy margins. The inflorescence is a drooping cyme containing bell-shaped flowers that range in color from creamy white to pale yellow. Each flower is characterized by a tubular corolla and is surrounded by small, hairy sepals.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to much of Europe, western Asia, and parts of northern Africa, typically thriving in temperate climates. Its range extends across a vast expanse from the British Isles through central Europe and into the colder regions of Russia. While primarily found in the wild across the Eurasian continent, it has been widely naturalized in North America due to human introduction. It commonly populates moist habitats such as riverbanks, damp woodlands, and meadow edges within these regions. The species continues to spread wherever soil moisture and moderate temperatures are consistently available.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant, known as comfrey, thrives in moist, well-drained soils with high organic matter and requires partial to full sunlight for optimal growth.
It is a vigorous perennial that spreads easily through rhizomes, so it is best cultivated in contained areas or dedicated garden beds to prevent overcrowding. Once established, the deep taproot allows it to access nutrients from lower soil layers, making it an excellent dynamic accumulator for green manure. Regular watering is necessary during dry spells, though the plant is generally quite hardy and resilient once its root system is mature.
Harvesting the leaves for medicinal or horticultural use is most effective during the peak flowering season.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Symphytum officinale is used medicinally through its aerial parts, which include the leaf and the stem, as well as the radix, commonly known as the root. The leaves are frequently harvested to create topical ointments or poultices for healing skin abrasions and bruises. Both the stem and the leaves contain allantoin, a compound vital for promoting cell regeneration. Additionally, the root is highly valued in herbal medicine for its concentrated properties in treating bone and tissue injuries. These various components are often processed into tinctures or salves to facilitate rapid healing.
According to a study published by "Natural product communications", the common comfrey plant was evaluated for its microelements and heavy metals content. The research found that the concentration of Cr was toxic in all parts of the studied plants, including common comfrey. Additionally, toxic concentrations of Cu were determined in both the root and aerial parts of common comfrey. The study also identified that the concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Mn, Ni and Zn in the investigated species were below the maximum permissible concentration. Overall, the results concluded that the medicinal plants from the studied site are not appropriate for use in alternative medicine.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- aerial parts
- leaf
- radix
- root
- stem
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, known as comfrey, has been utilized in various traditional medical practices for its purported ability to promote tissue healing and reduce inflammation. In the system of homeopathy, highly diluted preparations of the plant are sometimes used to treat wounds and bruises. Within Traditional Chinese Medicine, specific parts of the plant have historically been applied to address swelling and skin ailments. Many other folk medicine traditions have long relied on its mucilaginous properties for soothing digestive tracts and sore throats. These diverse applications highlight the long-standing historical role of the species in global herbalism.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Symphytuim officiinale is a medicinal plant that is believed in homeopathic literature to accelerate bone healing. The research investigated various homeopathic doses of the plant, including MT, 3C, 6C, 12C, and 30C, to determine their ability to augment osteogenesis. To evaluate the plant's effects, bone marrow samples were obtained from 15 patients who underwent bone grafting procedures. Following the administration of these doses, MSCs were isolated and characterized with a purity of 93-98% through flow cytometry. The study utilized different sample sizes for analysis, such as n = 10 for Runx-2, Osteopontin, and Osteocalcin expression, and n = 8 for alkaline phosphatase activity. Ultimately, the findings suggest that homeopathic doses of Symphytuim officinale, especially the mother tincture, have the potential to enhance osteogenesis.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Homeopathy
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Symphytum officinale?
This plant has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and tissue regenerating pharmacological activities that facilitate rapid wound healing. Its natural compounds work to provide a significant reduction in pain by inhibiting specific inflammatory pathways in the body. By suppressing swelling and irritation, the plant creates an optimal environment for cellular repair. These properties make it an effective traditional remedy for repairing damaged skin and underlying structures. The combination of these effects ensures that both the physical symptoms and the underlying injury are addressed simultaneously.
According to a study published by "Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology", Symphytuim officinale L. is a medicinal plant possessing anti-inflamatory, analgesic and tissue regenerating properties. In a study involving 142 patients with a mean age of 31.8 years, where 78.9% were male, an ointment of comfrey extract applied 4 times per day for 8 days was tested. The active treatment was superior to placebo in reducing pain, with a tonometric measurement of p<0.0001, and reducing ankle edema using the figure-of-eight method with a p = 0.0001. Statistical differences were also shown for ankle mobility via the neutral zero method and global efficacy. No adverse drug reactions were reported under the active treatment.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- analgesic
- anti-inflammatory
- reduction in pain
- tissue regenerating
- wound healing
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains allantoin, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, symphythine, rosmarinic acid, and various phenolic acids. Allantoin is a key component known for its ability to promote cell proliferation and tissue regeneration in skin wounds. The presence of symphythine, a specific pyrrolizidine alkaloid, requires careful handling due to potential toxicity concerns. Additionally, the plant provides rosmarinic acid and other phenolic acids that contribute significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These diverse chemical constituents work together to define the medicinal profile and therapeutic limitations of the species.
According to a study published by "Journal of intercultural ethnopharmacology", Symphytuum officinale contains flavonoids and allantoin. Comfrey extracts are prepared at a concentration of 1% w/v using distilled water, ethanol, and methanol. The study examined the effects of UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C radiation for a duration of 10 min. UV irradiation reduces the magnitude of the principle peak at the 355 nm wavelength for aqueous infusion and methanol extracts. Specifically, UV radiation increases the levels of allantoin in aqueous and methanol extracts while improving the flavonoids and reducing power of aqueous extracts. Conversely, UV-radiation reduces the levels of flavonoids, reducing power, and allantoin when the comfrey is extracted by alcohols.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- allantoin
- pyrrolizidine alkaloids
- symphytine
- rosmarinic acid
- phenolic acids
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for bone healing, cutaneous wound healing, skin lesions or wounds, wound healing, and various types of wounds. It contains allantoin, a compound that promotes the regeneration of cells and tissues. This property makes it particularly effective for accelerating the repair of cutaneous wound healing. The botanical extracts are frequently applied topically to treat skin lesions or wounds. Through its soothing properties, it effectively supports the overall process of wound healing.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Symphytuum officiinale is a medicinal plant believed in homeopathic literature to accelerate bone healing. The study aimed to determine if homeopathic doses of Symphytuum officinale, including MT, 3C, 6C, 12C, and 30C, could augment osteogenesis in mesenchymal stem cells as they differentiate into osteoblasts in vitro. Bone marrow samples were obtained from n = 15 patients to isolate cells that were 93-98% characterized by CD90 and CD105. Testing via MTT assay showed that selected doses did not induce cytotoxicity in MSCs over 24 hours. In evaluations involving n = 10 for osteocalcin and n = 10 for Runx-2, Osteopontin, and Osteocalcin gene expression, as well as n = 8 for alkaline phosphatase activity, the addition of Symphytuum officinale to basic differentiation medium enhanced osteogenesis.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- bone healing
- cutaneous wound healing
- skin lesions or wounds
- wound healing
- wounds
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is Symphytum officinale, a species used to create various medicinal preparations such as a 65 % ethanol extract, cream, ointment, decoction, and infusion. The ethanol extract and topical forms like cream and ointment are primarily utilized to deliver allantoin for skin healing and wound repair. For internal or external liquid applications, a decoction involves boiling the roots to extract potent compounds, while an infusion uses hot water to gently draw out constituents from the leaves. These different methods allow practitioners to tailor the concentration and delivery method of the plant's bioactive properties to specific therapeutic needs.
According to a study published by "Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP", medicinal comfrey cream preparations containing Symphytum officinale s.l. were tested regarding the skin permeation of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid lycopsamine. European Union guidelines discuss a permitted daily exposure (PDE) for pyrrolizidine alkaloids of up to 0.007 μg/kg body weight for topical exposure. In the study using Franz diffusion cells, pyrrolizidine alkaloids could be excluded in non-spiked cream with a limit of detection of 8 μg/kg. After 24 h, five of six diffusion cells showed no detectable lycopsamine within the skin and only 0.6 ± 0.4% of the applied dose in the receptor fluid. Even with a worst-case theoretical skin penetration calculation of 4.9% of the applied quantity of lycopsamine, the current guidelines overestimate the risk related to these topical preparations.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- 65 % ethanol extract
- cream
- ointment
- decoction
- infusion
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause severe systemic damage because it contains toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids that lead to hepatic toxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, and teratogenicity. These specific chemical compounds are known to cause irreversible scarring of the liver through a process called hepatic veno-occlusive disease. The presence of these alkaloids also allows the plant to damage DNA, which triggers mutagenicity and increases the risk of cancer through carcinogenicity. Furthermore, exposure during pregnancy can lead to birth defects due to the substance's teratogenic properties. Because of these significant health risks, the use of this species is strictly regulated or prohibited in many medical contexts.
According to a study published by "Molecular medicine reports", the plant Symphytuim officiinale contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which are a class of hepatotoxic heterocyclic organic compounds found in approximately 3% of world flora. These PAs have been shown to have genotoxic and carcinogenic effects. The toxicity of the extract from Symphytuim officiinale was tested on two aquatic organisms, Artemia salina and Daphnia magna. All tested extracts, including that of Symphytuim officiinale, were found to be toxic in both aquatic organism models. The toxicity was found to be PA concentration-dependent for three of the four extracts studied.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- carcinogenicity
- hepatic toxicity
- mutagenicity
- teratogenic
- toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids
What herbs are paired with Symphytum officinale?
This plant, commonly known as comfrey, pairs effectively with calendula, chamomile, and plantain to enhance its topical skin-healing properties.
When creating salves or infused oils, adding lavender can help soothe the irritation that often accompanies skin injuries. Many herbalists also combine it with peppermint to provide a cooling sensation to bruised or inflamed areas. These combinations are frequently used in traditional folk medicine to create potent topical balms.
Selecting these specific partners ensures a synergistic effect for topical applications.