The two plants are both in the Boraginaceae family .
How do I know if I have comfrey?
This medicinal herb is easy to identify, with its clumps of large, upright, 12 to 18-inch hairy green leaves, and characteristic drooping clusters of bell-shaped purple flowers . The ovate leaves grow rapidly and, if repeatedly cut down, comfrey can continue to flower all through the summer.
Are borage and comfrey the same?
One of the biggest differences between comfrey and borage is that comfrey is a perennial while borage is an annual . ... Sow borage seeds in full sun and well-drained soil.
Why is comfrey illegal in the US?
The pyrrolizidine alkaloids
Does borage have another name?
listen) or /ˈbɒrɪdʒ/; Borago officinalis), also known as a starflower , is an annual herb in the flowering plant family Boraginaceae. ... It is native to the Mediterranean region, and has naturalized in many other locales.
Is it safe to drink comfrey tea?
You can also drink dried comfrey root and leaves as tea. Today, eating or taking any form of comfrey by mouth isn’t recommended . It’s considered unsafe, due to the pyrrolizidine alkaloids that comfrey contains.
Is comfrey good for wrinkles?
Comfrey is considered to be an essential anti-aging ingredient, because it contains both allantoin and rosmarinic acid. Allantoin promotes the growth of new skin cells and rosmarinic acid acts as a painkiller and reduces inflammation. Comfrey softens skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles .
Is comfrey poisonous to dogs?
The Merck Veterinary Manual lists comfrey as an especially risky herb because of its pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which have been linked to liver damage. The alkaloids are actually produced by the herb to fend off bugs, but the insecticide can be harmful to a dog .
Can comfrey heal bones?
Comfrey may not be an obvious choice, but it has always been such a kind plant to the garden that it should come as no surprise that is kind to the body, too. Once known as knitbone, Symphytum officinale has a long history of wound healing, particularly broken bones, torn muscles, sprains and aches.
Is borage poisonous?
The borage plant, also known as the starflower, is an herb that is incredibly toxic to cats . The plant may also cause mild skin irritation in humans. The borage plant belongs to the Boraginaceae family and is often used as a medicinal remedy for humans.
Is borage poisonous to dogs?
Unfortunately, these plants are not good for your dog or other small animals, causing intestinal upset, respiratory distress, and can be fatal if not treated right away. If you think your dog has eaten borage, it is essential to take your furry friend to the veterinarian or animal hospital right away.
Is borage poisonous to humans?
Borage seed oil is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth or applied to the skin appropriately. Borage seed oil is LIKELY UNSAFE when products containing a dangerous chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are taken by mouth. Borage plant parts including the leaf, flower, and seed can contain PAs.
Can humans eat comfrey?
When taken by mouth: Comfrey is LIKELY UNSAFE for anyone when taken by mouth. It contains chemicals (pyrrolizidine alkaloids, PAs) that can cause liver damage, lung damage, and cancer. The FDA has recommended that all oral comfrey products be removed from the market.
What are the side effects of comfrey?
- abdominal distension.
- abdominal pain.
- loss of appetite.
- lack of energy.
- liver enlargement.
- decreased urine output.
- obstruction of small veins in the liver (veno-occlusive disease)
Is comfrey good for teeth?
A small ball of the steamed leaves, placed in the mouth against the infected tooth gave temporary pain relief . The chemical constituents of comfrey are at once useful and a cause for caution. The compounds thought to help heal tissue and relieve pain include allantoin, mucilage and rosmarinic acid.
