Topical Comfrey for Muscle & Joint Pains

A 2006 study found that topical comfrey root extract applied 3x daily was significantly more effective than placebo at improving pain and symptoms of knee osteoarthritis over 3 weeks. Studies have found that topical comfrey root extract may even be superior to topical diclofenac (Voltaren gel) for pain relief associated with ankle sprains. Another study found that topical comfrey was also effective for relieving acute back pain. Topical comfrey may cause skin irritation or other side effects.

Grube B, Grünwald J, Krug L, Staiger C. Efficacy of a comfrey root (Symphyti offic. radix) extract ointment in the treatment of patients with painful osteoarthritis of the knee: results of a double-blind, randomised, bicenter, placebo-controlled trial. Phytomedicine. 2007 Jan;14(1):2-10. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2006.11.006. Epub 2006 Dec 13. PMID: 17169543.

Predel HG, Giannetti B, Koll R, Bulitta M, Staiger C. Efficacy of a comfrey root extract ointment in comparison to a diclofenac gel in the treatment of ankle distortions: results of an observer-blind, randomized, multicenter study. Phytomedicine. 2005 Nov;12(10):707-14. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2005.06.001. PMID: 16323288.

D'Anchise R, Bulitta M, Giannetti B. Comfrey extract ointment in comparison to diclofenac gel in the treatment of acute unilateral ankle sprains (distortions). Arzneimittelforschung. 2007;57(11):712-6. doi: 10.1055/s-0031-1296672. PMID: 18193693.

Giannetti BM, Staiger C, Bulitta M, Predel HG. Efficacy and safety of comfrey root extract ointment in the treatment of acute upper or lower back pain: results of a double-blind, randomised, placebo controlled, multicentre trial. Br J Sports Med. 2010 Jul;44(9):637-41. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2009.058677. Epub 2009 May 21. PMID: 19460762.