Using Comfrey for Postpartum Comfort

[Beth]

Hello Lovely Doulas!

I was reading the book After the Baby's Birth: A Complete Guide For Postpartum Women by Robin Lim (2001 edition) and it recommended that a postpartum women may find irrigating their vulvas with warm comfrey tea while they urinate soothing. Apparently, comfrey promotes cell growth and healing. However, a couple years ago, Health Canada advised people to not use or ingest comfrey or products containing comfrey because they might contain a compound called echimidine, which can cause liver damage (here's a link: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media...003_101_e.html). Now, I'm aware that this warning is a couple of years old - but I haven't found any information saying that it is indeed now safe to use comfrey or that it is still unsafe. I would hate to give my mamas advice that could hurt them or their babies...does anybody have any up-to-date info on comfrey use?

Thank you!

Beth

[amymaew]

Oh where's Demetria when you need her!!!! My midwife gave me a sitz bath herb mix which contained comfrey (among other herbs) and I've heard it's good for healing, but I don't know the answer to your question about the echimidine. Sorry!

[amymaew]

Well I found this

Quote:

Some people feel that comfrey is not safe to use during pregnancy. Some people feel comfrey is not safe to use internally at all. I disagree. The roots of comfrey do contain compounds that are best avoided during pregnancy. (As do all parts of the wild plant.) In fact, I rarely use comfrey root because of the possibility of liver congestion, and I strongly caution those who have had hepatitis, chemotherapy, or alcohol problems to strictly avoid comfrey root. Yet even these people can benefit from use of comfrey leaf infusions.

from Susun Weed's website. And this is a cool resource...

[fearlessbirth]

Amy posted exactly what I was going to say! From my understand (and through my random reading of books on herbs) this is the general concensus I've found. Root=bad, leaves=good.

Where is Demetria when you need her?

[demetria]

Hi I am here
Thanks for the IM Amy.
Okay, comfrey... I am talking leaf. I do not advise in the current climate people using comfrey root.
Comfrey can not be the best choice for wound healing if the wound is very deep or a puncture wound. Why, because the wound will heal over outside versus from the inside out, leaving the potential for infection from trapped material.
If you are unsure of how you feel about using comfrey, here are some basic guidelines.
In order to benefit from comfrey without any risk of toxicity, it is necessary to observe the following precautions:

1. Only use the mature leaves or herb of common comfrey (Symphytum officinale). Do not use any other parts or species.

2. Comfrey should only be used in combination with other herbs. It should not exceed 10% of formulations for internal use, or 30% of formulations for external use.

3. The use of this herb should be limited to three doses or external applications per day for a maximum of one to two months for internal use, or 4 weeks for external use.

4. Comfrey should never be used, internally, by pregnant or nursing women, or infants under the age of one year.

5. It should never be used internally by children under the age of three, seniors over the age of 70, or anyone with a serious liver condition or who is suffering from a serious long-term chronic health condition.

Here are a few articles about perineal care and herbal care for pregnancy
http://midwiferytoday.com/articles/H...partumCare.asp
http://midwiferytoday.com/articles/H...tPerineum1.asp
http://midwiferytoday.com/articles/H...tPerineum2.asp

I personally use comfrey when I need too, but I don't often put it in blends because of the issues around it, it is just easier.
Hope this helps.
Demetria

[amymaew]

Demetria! Thank you!