Semester 3, Week 6, Day 5

She woke in the night and needed her teeth treated and went back to sleep. She woke with a smile that devolved into a temper tantrum the ended with breakfast. I fed them lunch then made me a salad.  She ate my carrots and he smeared salad dressing and everything else all over my lap.  As in he took handfuls and dropped them in my lap.  I remember a time she did that...  I made brussel sprouts as well and we all ate from the same bowl until my son got full and decided they'd taste better rubbed into my legs.  He will be taking a nap as soon as I'm done typing.  He won't like it but tough.

The next herb on my list is comfrey.  Since I have already gone over these and they went away, I feel like ground hogs day going over them again but this time it's all backed up so I won't go over them again if something happens.

Constituents: Allantoin promotes the formation of granulation tissue and callus.  This not only heals on the surface but the bones beneath as well though this has not been scientifically proven.
            Hoffman (2003) says allantoin; pyrrolizidine alkaloids (echimidine, symphytine, lycopsamine, symlandine – only in fresh herb); phenolic acids (rosmarinic, chlorogenic, caffeic, lithospermic); mucilage (polysaccharide containing glucose and fructose); choline, asparagine, volatile oil, tannins, steroidal saponins, triterpenes.
            “Comfrey root contains allantoin, a substance that speeds up the regeneration of damaged tissue both internally and externally. It also contains carotene (the precursor to vitamin A found in carrots), mucilage, tannin, glucose, fructose, protein (particularly the amino acids methionine, isoleucine, lysine and tryptophan), vitamin B12 (0.58-mcg per 100-gm), rosmarinic acid, asparagine (anti-inflammatory substance), inulin (also found in dandelion Taraxacum officinale root, Jerusalem artichokes, and elecampane Inula helenium), and pyrrolizidine and symphytine alkaloids.
Comfrey leaves contain: calcium, chlorine, iron, potassium, silica, sodium, cobalt, protein, vitamins A, C and B12, choline, allantoin, mucilage, and alkaloids.
The mucilage and allantoin content are higher in the root than the leaves. (Class Lesson Herb 502)”

Therapeutic Actions: Comfrey has been used topically according to Ulbricht (2010) for inflammation, pain and wound healing (demulcent).  Recent evidence suggests a possible carcinogenic side effect so caution needs to be used with this herb.  Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent, cell proliferant, demulcent, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, febrifuge, laxative, nutritive, pectoral, sedative, styptic, tonic, and vulnerary (Class Lesson Herb 502).
            Hoffman (2003) says vulnerary, demulcent, anti-inflammatory, astringent, expectorant.

Indications (Weiss and Fintelmann, 2000): Contusions, strains and sprains. It's also taken internally for gastrointestinal, respiratory and gynecological issues.
          Abscesses, bedsores, boils, bruises, burns, sprains, and swelling, asthma, bleeding, bronchitis, coughs, constipation, fractures, diarrhea, hemorrhoids (bleeding), inflammation, ulcers, laryngitis and tonsillitis, nose bleeds, and  whooping cough.

Safety/Side Effects/Warnings: Ulbricht (2010) indicates this herb is generally considered safe when used topically but discontinue use after 2 weeks.  The FDA says not to use this internally due to pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The list of potential side effects, however, is quite extensive.  Avoid if pregnant or nursing due to hepatoxicity (liver damaging). The list of interactions with drugs and herbs is also extensive.  Based on what I see in this book, just use it topically!  Of note, it DOES get a B rating on topical inflammation which is pretty good!

I rushed through my essay yesterday because she was still being needy. I posted something to the discussion board this morning, explaining what's going on but I have actually been able to read some of my papers I downloaded for my cayenne paper so I'll be able to update that one later with more information. I'm making this short so I can go back to reading those studies.  I want to get full points on this post if I can which means I need to read more studies so I can comment on my topic in the boards. Have a great day!