Comfrey Contributions by sshowalter

As a topical cream, comfrey can directly help to stimulate cell growth. When part of the cause of the low back pain or sciatic is cartilage loss, like in osteoarthritis, this stimulation can be beneficial as a treatment. However, this herb has only been minimally studied specifically for sciatica and low back pain.

61. Kucera M, Barna M, Horacek O, et al. Topical symphytum herb concentrate cream against myalgia: a randomized controlled double-blind clinical study. Adv Ther. 2005;22:681-692.

As a topical cream, comfrey can directly help to stimulate cell growth. When part of the cause of the low back pain or sciatic is cartilage loss, like in osteoarthritis, this stimulation can be beneficial as a treatment. However, this herb has only been minimally studied specifically for sciatica and low back pain.

Comfrey is a high-yielding leafy green plant that has been used for centuries as a feed crop for animals and a medicine for humans.

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study enrolling 215 people with back pain, use of a topical cream made from the herb comfrey produced statistically significant benefits as compared to placebo.⁶¹

As a topical cream, comfrey can directly help to stimulate cell growth. When part of the cause of the low back pain or sciatic is cartilage loss, like in osteoarthritis, this stimulation can be beneficial as a treatment. However, this herb has only been minimally studied specifically for sciatica and low back pain.

Traditionally, comfrey has been used to help heal bones rapidly. Since osteoarthritis is a condition whereby wear and tear on cartilage causes joints to become stiff, comfrey might be able to help.

181. Grube B, Grunwald J, Krug L, et al. Efficacy of a comfrey root (Symphyti offic. radix) extract ointment in the treatment of patients with painful osteoarthritis of the knee: Results of a double-blind, randomised, bicenter, placebo-controlled trial. Phytomedicine. 2006 Dec 12. [Epub ahead of print]

A 3-week double-blind study of 220 people with osteoarthritis of the knee found that use of a cream containing the herb comfrey reduced symptoms significantly more than a placebo cream.¹⁸¹

Traditionally, comfrey has been used to help heal bones rapidly. Since osteoarthritis is a condition whereby wear and tear on cartilage causes joints to become stiff, comfrey might be able to help.