IN HERBAL PREPARATIONS
COMFREY - PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
by Daniel Hoover
Before I explain how comfrey works, we have to have an understanding about how the body works. When we get injured, that particular area of the body becomes inflamed. This inflammation is the result of dilated blood vessels in the surrounding tissues. This brings vital blood and oxygen and nutrients to the area, as well as facilitates the removal of any toxins and debris that may have accumulated in the area.
Macrophages and other immune-fighting cells flood into the injured area via the dilated blood vessels and attack any pathogenic microorganisms and foreign matter. This prevents infection to the injury. After the hemorrhaging has stopped, our immune system has disinfected the area, and the initial swelling has subsided, the healing begins.
Contained within each living cell are the blueprints for the entire human body. These blueprints are called genes and they tell the cells how to rebuild the body exactly the way it was before. That is why when we injure our lip, for example, lip tissue is regenerated as opposed to pigmented tissue from our arm. The question that arises for me is: if the body has the blueprints to completely regenerate the tissues exactly the way they were before, why then do some injuries heal completely, and others only heal partially? Sometimes we scar, sometimes we do not, and sometimes we regain full strength while other times we are left with a limp or missing limb. Why? Maybe it depends on the severity of the injury? If so, what is it about the severity of the injury that inhibits our body’s ability to heal thoroughly?
Surprisingly, all the answers lie within this sacred herb called comfrey. When comfrey is applied to an open wound, it acts as a styptic to tighten and tone the tissues. This action is due to the tannin content within the leaves. Tannins have the ability to precipitate proteins and this is what “tightens” or tones living tissue. These tannins are what give comfrey its astringent properties. As the hemorrhaging subsides, the mucilage slides in to soothe and reduce the inflammation. Mucilage is like the gel we commonly get from aloe vera. It is very soothing and anti-inflammatory. This helps to relieve pain as well as to stabilize the area so that the healing can begin. Finally the allantoin begins to do its work by proliferating the cells in the area so that they begin multiplying rapidly and seal off the wound as if nothing ever happened.
I was instructed to design an original formula as an assignment by the School of Natural Healing’s Herbalist course. This formula was to be tested by someone for two weeks, and be given an appropriate dose and healing regimen for a specific condition. Immediately I knew what the main herb would be in the formulae. Since I began following the principles of the School of Natural Healing I have not gotten sick at all and have had optimal health. So I could not really relate to a formula that would help only some type of sickness, female complaint, etc. Being an active person, the only herbs I really ever need to use are those that heal injuries quickly. So I chose to design a synergistic blend of herbs that would facilitate the rapid re-growth of tissues anywhere in the body. This I could test on myself. When the formula was designed and prepared I did not have any injury needing healing, so I couldn’t test it on myself. Ironically the same day the formula was completed a good friend of mine called and asked if I had anything for a condition of “degenerated cartilage of the knees” because his mother had this problem. I enthusiastically said yes! Here is the summary of the original formula I designed and the results thereof:
Herbal 'Sympho'ny
by Daniel Hoover April 20, 2008
Comfrey Symphytum officinale Therapeutic action: Vulnerary, demulcent, part used: Root; 6 parts
Plantain Plantago major Therapeutic action: Vulnerary, alterative, drawing, part used: Leaves; 5 parts
White Oak Quercus alba Therapeutic action: Astringent, source of silica, part used: Bark; 4 parts
Ginger Zingiber officnales Therapeutic action: Stimulant, anti inflammatory, part used; Root; 2 parts
Alfalfa Medicago sativa Therapeutic action: Nutritive, Part used: Herb; 2 parts
Purpose of the Formula
The purpose of this formula is to facilitate rapid regrowth of injured or degenerated tissues of the body. The secondary actions are to increase circulation to the area and to reduce excessive inflammation. This will help to facilitate the transport of vital nutrients to the area and the export of toxins from the area. The tertiary action is to feed the area by providing a broad source of minerals from which the cell-proliferating herbs can draw.
Comfrey is the primary herb because it is a strong cell proliferant. The question isn't whether or not the body will heal, but when. Comfrey helps to build up injured areas quickly because it contains a therapeutic compound known as allantoin which promotes cell proliferation. Its demulcent properties help to reduce inflammation.
Plantain also contains the cell proliferant allantoin, which works synergistically with the allantoin in the comfrey, thus increasing their vulnerary actions exponentially. Because of its alterative and drawing properties it serves to facilitate the removal of dead cells and toxins from the area.
White Oak bark helps to decrease inflammation by its astringent action caused by the tannins it possesses. It is an excellent source of silica which is converted to calcium through biological transmutation. Calcium helps build the blood and vascular system. This is crucial for the transportation of blood going to and from the injured area.
Ginger is the accentuating herb. It leads all the other herbs to the desired area. It acts as a local stimulant that brings a continued source of fresh blood and energy to the area. Its anti inflammatory properties help to regulate the pressure in the injured area. This reduces pain and allows blood to come and go as needed.
Alfalfa is included to provide an unlimited source of the minerals needed to feed and build the injured area. I believe that vulnerary herbs like comfrey and plantain have a healing potential that is in direct proportion to the availability of organic nutrients from which they can feed. All of these minerals are provided by alfalfa. Alfalfa has a tap root that goes down 100 feet deep allowing it to draw up every mineral known on earth. This prevents the body from losing vital minerals that are needed to sustain life to the injured area (like a fetus taking from its mother). Alfalfa acts as a reservoir of minerals. This “reservoir” allows the body to save vital energy and resources that it needs for maintaining homeostasis, and at the same time provides an abundance of nutrients needed for healing the injured area. The Latin name Medicago sativa means “the cultivate medicine.” Hippocrates said, “Let your medicine be your food and your food, medicine.” Well then, is this not the quintessential food/medicine?
Administration of the Formula
Take 5 capsules 3x a day for two weeks. It is not necessary to take them with food; however it can also be taken with food. Take the last set of 5 capsules shortly before bed and wrap up the area with the clothed soaked in the Herbal Symphony Oil. (Wrap the oil-soaked cloth with plastic wrap to avoid staining sheets.)
About 5-10 min. after taking the capsules rub the ointment into the affected areas. This will not only help to heal from the outside in, but also help to guide the herbs taken orally to that area specifically.
Make sure to stay well hydrated throughout the program. Water is the carrier of the herbs going to the area in need as well as the carrier of toxins/calcifications being removed from the area being treated.
Take 1 milk thistle capsule daily. This is to protect your liver from the pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the comfrey. These alkaloids are believed to be hepatoxic which means they can cause damage to the liver. Studies have indicated that this could happen if comfrey is taken over a long period of time and/or in large doses. This is simply a precautionary measure for those who already have toxic livers.
Take two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar daily. This will help to break up the toxins in the body, dissolve calcium salts, and balance your body's pH level.
Do not do any unnecessary movements or aggravate the area being treated throughout this program. This gives the area an optimal healing environment and prevents secondary injuries.
*Notice any differences in pain/inflammation levels from day to day and notice these levels before or after you move the injured area. Notice how long it takes for pain to set in from one day to another and how long it takes to set in after movement of the injured area.
Personal Experience and Results
To my surprise, this formula did not only do what it was intended to, but it did so quickly and effectively without any adverse reactions.
The person who took this formula had been seeing a doctor who diagnosed her with a condition of complete degeneration of the cartilage in both knees. Before she started on the formula she was experiencing limited range of motion, constant pain, and was limping severely.
I asked her to:
· Take the Herbal Symphony capsules for two weeks and comment on her level of pain using a scale of 1-10 (one being the least pain and 10 being the worst) morning, evening, and night.
· Notice her mobility and range of motion for each knee throughout the day.
· Notice the length of time until pain set in after movement.
· Notice what sensations she felt after using the oil (eg. tingling or heat).
· Notice any new desires to stretch or massage the area.
· Notice the frequency of pain relative to day one and/or the previous day.
The following is a summary of her experience from days 1-14. I've attached a copy of her original notes during this two week trial period:
Day 1 She woke up with a pain of 5. At work it was a 9. She felt heat and tingling ½ hour after rubbing in the oil. At the end of the day the pain was a 9.
Day 2 Morning pain was a 5. At work it was a 9 and it started two hours into her shift. She felt more heat and tingling in her knees than yesterday.
Day 3 Morning pain was a 3. At work it went to a 10 and she noted that she was doing more heavy lifting and was on her feet longer than the day before.
Day 4 Morning pain was a 2. At work the pain didn't start for about 5 hours into her shift and it was a 9.
Day 5 Morning pain was a 2. Pain was an 8 at the end of the day.
Day 6 Very little pain this morning. At work it was a 2, at the end of the day her pain was a 6.
Day 7 She noted this was a very good day. Morning was a 1. She stayed home this day and it was a 3 at the end of the day.
Day 8 Morning was a 2. She noticed she could “get around” at work more than last week. Pain was a 4 most of the day.
Day 9 Morning pain was a 3. She is noticing she is doing much better at walking (less limping). She is not as stiff. Pain is a 5 at the end of the day.
Day 10 She is sleeping better. No more leg cramps at night. She has much more mobility in the morning not much pain (1). Pain didn't start until 1 pm. At the end of the day the pain was a 4.
Day 11 Same as day 10.
Day 12 Morning pain was light (1). She had more mobility during the day than the days previous to starting the program. At the end of the day her pain was a 3.
Day 13 No pain in the morning. At the end of the day the pain was a 2.
Day 14 She is feeling like stretching her legs more often. Pain was 1. In the evening it was a 3. At the end of this day she commented “Doing a lot better than day one!”
“This herbal program really feels like it is working for me. I want to keep going with it. I know it will take time but it (my knees) is better.”
By the fourth day she noticed a 40% reduction of pain in the mornings which eventually increased to an overall reduction of little/no pain at all. After her first week, the maximum pain she was experiencing at work went from a constant 9 to an average of 3. She began noticing things like more mobility and less cramping at night. She was not under any other treatment at the time.
Since this first trial, I have had other people with knee problems use the formula, and they are all reporting the same results: Dramatic decrease in pain, more mobility, flexibility, less cramping, better sleep, and longer periods of time until pain sets in each day or after any movement of the area.
I am confident that with the continuation of this formula and a transition to a whole foods diet, plus rehabilitative exercises and treatment such as massage, plus time, degenerative diseases and injuries such as these can and will be completely healed.
Imagine that anytime you became injured you could regenerate that injury completely and quickly. Imagine that there was something that actually allowed us to regenerate all of the tissues of our bodies no matter how severe the damage, even to the point that we could grow back severed limbs. How different would the world be if we discovered something that powerful? If we did have a substance that allowed us to regenerate all tissues of the body including bones, how much would this cost? Would it be kept secret or would everyone have access to it? Would there be side affects? What if I told you there already is such a substance and it is no secret? It is available to nearly everyone and it is free! This substance is very real and has been known for thousands of years. The substance is actually an herb that grows wild in most of the temperate regions of the world and can be cultivated anywhere. The herb is comfrey.
