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Should I Use Comfrey for My Arthritis?

Posted By Bev (Brisbane, Australia ) on 10/26/2016

I'm wanting to try comfrey for arthritis. I'm am 59 years young and it has only stated to debilitate me in the last 3 to 4 years. I swim and that really relieves the pain! Should I try this comfrey that I'm hearing about, my girl friend gives it to her horses and they are wonderful healthu animals.

Replied by Jim (Frostburg) on 10/26/2016

I've grown and used comfrey, experimented w/it, and it has its benefits towards healing. That written, my wife, mother-in-law, best friend, family and numerous neighbors would instead recommend you get a bottle of cheap and pure MSM capsules. Here in the US, Walley World has a good brand. Get the 1000 mg. I would take 2 in the morning before breakfast; then another 2 an hour or so after the evening meal. Within the day, your world should be dandy again.

After a week you might drop back to one capsule in the morning and one evenings. Just see how it goes.

MSM causes your skin, fingernails and hair grow faster ...and your excrement will smell less, too. A little for your cats and dogs does them wonders, too. No downsides have been reported AFAIK. MSM is classified as a food substance.

Replied by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 10/26/2016

Dear Bev,

Personally, I like to use comfrey for skeletal pain. It isn't always so easy to find, though. I think it has been banned for internal use in some countries and some caution that it should not be used if someone has any tumors because of its cell regenerating properties.

That said, I have a comfrey plant and blend a leaf of comfrey into my smoothie when I am having pain.

You say it is great for horses - I have found it great for other animals, too. I have used it for cows and just today for chickens! (I will share a post about that.) When we had sheep, they loved it and would eat up my whole plant if they got out of their sheep pen.

If you do find you do not have access to comfrey for your arthritis, consider turmeric which is another great arthritis remedy!

~Mama to Many~

Replied by Michael (New Zealand) on 10/26/2016

Hello Bev. Be careful with Comfrey, as it can have an adverse effect on the liver if too much is taken internally. Maybe you could consider using it as a poultice for arthritis. Check out the many remedies I have listed on this Site for "Bad Backs". One or two might suit you. Also find out under "Poultices" (somewhere) how to make one.

Personally, I have a couple of plants in our garden and it grows by itself without much help from me. It would spread if I let it. I use it for my compost heap as, along with nettles, it is supposed to be highly beneficial for the composting process. In any event, you should investigate more before starting to take Comfrey because of its potential for harmful side effects.

Cheers, Michael

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