Overview
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) uses both root and leaves. It has sweet and astringent tastes, cooling energy, and sweet post-digestive effect. It acts on plasma, blood, muscle, bone, marrow, and nerve tissues through the respiratory, digestive, circulatory, and nervous systems. Its actions include nutritive tonic, demulcent, expectorant, emollient, vulnerary, astringent, and hemostatic.
Comfrey is a powerful tonic and vulnerary — the root has stronger tonic properties while the leaves are more astringent and anti-inflammatory. Comfrey root is a nutritive and rejuvenative tonic to the lungs and mucous membranes. It can be used in most conditions where membranes are inflamed, bleeding, or wasting away. It is one of the best agents for promoting tissue growth, externally and internally, and healing throughout the body when afflicted by disease.
It is indicated for cough, lung infections, coughing blood, lung hemorrhage, gastrointestinal ulcers, blood in urine, diarrhea, dysentery, sprains, fractures, wounds, sores, and boils. Comfrey reduces Pitta and Vata but increases Kapha. Precautions apply for edema, malabsorption, obesity, and high Ama. Preparations include decoction, milk decoction, powder (250 mg to 1 g), and paste.
Source: The Yoga of Herbs, Section A: Commonly Available Herbs
How to Use Comfrey by Condition
Explore how Comfrey is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.