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Comfrey & Broken Bones
I broke my ankle 18 months ago and doing everything i can to avoid having surgery to put screws in. I have heard from my uncle who was in the army in World War 2 that it was standard issue for first aid packs to include comfrey tablets that used too be called " bone knit" these are banned in Australia now. Just wondering if you think comfrey tea or something like that would be a good alternative?
Comfrey
Comfrey has historically been used to help the knitting together of bones in cases of fractures. It was a folklore remedy and its other names are Boneknit, Boneset, Healing Blade and even The Great Comfrey.
Comfrey received some bad press due to the pyrrolizidine alkaloids contained in the herb being linked to liver cancer and being hepatotoxic (in large amounts). Various countries, including Australia, have asked companies to remove oral comfrey products from the market, and topical products are required to advise consumers not to use on broken skin. Many herbalists claim that the carcinogenic potential of oral Comfrey has been over-stated.
Comfrey has traditionally been used both topically, for inflammation, pain and wound healing, and orally, for gastrointestinal, respiratory and gynaecological concerns.
Comfrey is available for topical use from health food stores and easily penetrates through the skin to the area of damage. Greenridge, Sunspirit and Oil Garden are some brand names you may like to try. You can also buy Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) from a herb nursery.
You can either make a poultice out of the leaves and apply directly to your ankle or alternatively wrap a leaf around the area and then bandage and change the leaf dressing daily. The silica in the leaves act like a Velcro band aid and allows for penetration of the silica to the damaged area. It may be itchy due to the spiky fur on the leaves, however if applied before bed then it may not be so irritable because you will be sleeping.
Natural alternatives for bone health:
- Silica is a mineral which concentrates within the bones and works with Calcium to strengthen bones. Silica is available in health food stores in celloid tablets or gel liquid and capsule form. Some brand names are Martin & Pleasance (Silica & Calcium Flouride), Hubner Silica or Planet Health Silica. These minerals are essential for bone strength and laying down calcium deposits within the bones.
- A calcium supplement is also advisable to support repair and growth activity within the bones. Recommended forms of Calcium are Calcium Hydroxapetate, Calcium Citrate, Calcium Phosphate and Calcium Flouride.
- Calcium Carbonate is a form of Calcium which is not as easily absorbed and may deposit on the outside of the bones rather than strengthening the matrix of the bone
- Please keep in mind that healing of bones is a long term issue and by taking the above may ensure better fusing of the bone.
For further information see the Ask a Naturopath.com webpage concerning Calcium and fractured bones