Comfrey, Ass Ear, Blackwork, Black Root, Boneset, Bruisewort, Gum Plant, Knitback

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 7 min read

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For severe symptoms, danger signs, pregnancy, child illness, or sudden worsening, seek urgent medical care.

বাংলা রোগী নোট এখনো যোগ করা হয়নি। পোস্ট এডিটরে “RX Bangla Patient Mode” বক্স থেকে সহজ বাংলা সারাংশ যোগ করুন।

এই তথ্য শিক্ষা ও সচেতনতার জন্য। এটি ডাক্তারি পরীক্ষা, রোগ নির্ণয় বা প্রেসক্রিপশনের বিকল্প নয়।

Article Summary

Key Takeaways

This article explains Health Benefits of Comfrey in simple medical language.
This article explains Comfrey Scientific Classification in simple medical language.
This article explains Traditional uses in simple medical language.

Educational health guideWritten for patient understanding and clinical awareness.

Reviewed content workflowUse writer and reviewer profiles for stronger trust.

Emergency safety firstUrgent warning signs are highlighted below.

Seek urgent medical care if you notice

These warning signs are general safety guidance. Local emergency numbers and clinical judgment should always come first.

New or worsening weakness, numbness, or loss of coordination.
Loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness around the groin or saddle area.
Back or neck pain with fever, recent major injury, cancer history, or unexplained weight loss.

Emergency now

Use emergency care for severe, sudden, rapidly worsening, or life-threatening symptoms.

See a doctor

Book a professional medical evaluation if symptoms persist, worsen, recur often, affect daily activities, or occur in a high-risk patient.

Learn safely

Use this article to understand possible causes, tests, treatment options, prevention, and questions to ask your clinician.

Comfrey with its scientific name as Symphytum officinale, is a plant that is mostly grown for ornamental purposes due to the presence of attractive flowers. Other names for Comfrey are Ass Ear, Blackwork, Black Root, Boneset, Confound, Bruisewort, Gum Plant, Knitback, Healing Herb, Knitbone, Slippery Root, Salsify, Wallwort, Boneset, Consolida and Common comfrey. The plant measures 30 to 120 cm high. Leaves are hairy, pointed, large, dark green, 8″ long and ovate to lanceolate in shape. In comparison to the basal leaves, it has got decurrent upper leaves. Stems are winged when matured. The bluebell shape flowers are white to pink to purple that blooms from mid-spring to early summer. Since 400 B.C. it was cultivated as a healing herb. In 1600s, it was brought by immigrants for medicinal purposes. It was naturalized in roadsides and waste areas of U.S. Roots and leaves are used as a poultice for the treatment of rashes, inflammations, cuts, swellings, bruises, broken bones and sprains. Its internal use is effective for the health ailments such as colitis and ulcers.

Health Benefits of Comfrey

Name	Comfrey
Scientific Name	Symphytum officinale
Native	Comfrey is native to Europe and temperate Asia and got naturalized in U.S.
Common/English Name	Ass Ear, Blackwork, Black Root, Boneset, Confound, Bruisewort, Gum Plant, Knitback, Healing Herb, Knitbone, Slippery Root, Salsify, Wallwort, Boneset, Consolida, Common comfrey
Name in Other Languages	German: Beinwell, Gewöhnlicher Beinwell, Echter Beinwell, Gemeiner Beinwell; Arabic: Sanfītūn, Senfeytewn mekhezney Catalan: Orella d’ase, Consolda major, Nualós, Orella d’ase; Chinese: Jù hé cǎo (聚合草); Czech: Kostival lékařský; Danish: Læge-Kulsukker, Kulsukkerrod; Dutch: Gewone smeerwortel; English: Boneset, Common comfrey, Comfrey, Consound, Knitbone, Healing herb, Slippery root, Medicinal comfrey, Wild comfrey; Finnish: Mustajuuri, Rohtoraunioyrtti, Raunioyrtti, Rohto-raunioyrtti; French: Consoude officinale, Oreille de vache, Grande consoude; German: Echter Beinwell, Gemeiner Beinwell, Echte Wallwurz, Gewöhnlicher Beinwell, Schwarzwurzel, Große Wallwurz, Wilder Komfrey; Hungarian: Fekete nadálytő; Italian: Orecchia d’asino, Consolida maggiore; Japanese: Hireharisō (ヒレハリソウ), Hireharisou (鰭玻璃草) , Konfurī (コンフリー); Korean: Keom peu li (컴프리); Marathi: Sankuutan (संकूतुन); Polish: Żywokost lekarski; Portuguese: Confrei, Consolida-maior, Consolda-maior, Orelhas-de-asno, Grande-consolda; Russian: Okopnik lekarstvennyj (копник лекарственный ); Slovakian: Kostihoj lekársky; Slovenian: Navadni gabez, Gabez navadni; Spanish: Consuelda, Consuelda mayor, Consuelda blanca, Hierba de las cortaduras, Sínfito mayor, Oreja de asno; Swedish: Äkta vallört; Turkish: Kafes otu, Mayasılotu, Karakafes, Merkep kulağı; Occitan: Èrba de la còpa;
Plant Growth Habit	Perennial
Soil	Moist
Plant Size	Height: 30 to 120 cm
Root	Branched, fusiform, fleshy, oblong, perennial, black outside and white inside
Stem	Erect, stiff haired
Leaf	Wrinkly, roughly pubescent, ovate to lanceolate
Flowering Season	Late Spring or Early Summer, Mid-Summer
Flower	Dull purple or violet, showy
Plant parts used	Leaf, root, rhizome

Comfrey Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Symphytum officinale

Rank	Scientific Name & (Common Name)
Kingdom	Plantae (Plantes, Planta, Vegetal, plants)
Subkingdom	Viridiplantae
Infrakingdom	Streptophyta (Land plants)
Superdivision	Embryophyta
Division	Tracheophyta (Vascular plants, tracheophytes)
Class	Magnoliopsida
Order	Boraginales
Family	Boraginaceae (Borage, bourraches)
Genus	Symphytum L. (Comfrey)
Species	Symphytum officinale L. (Common comfrey)
Synonyms	Symphytum asperum Symphytum uplandicum Symphytum officinale L. Consolida major Gilib. Consolida major Garsault Symphytum peregrinum Ledeb.

Plant

The plant of Comfrey grows up to 30 to 120 cm high. Comfrey is a large and black turnip-like root. The plant has broad leaves and flowers in bell-shaped of purple or cream. The flower blooms during mid-summer. It has an erect and stiff-haired stem. Inherent to Europe, it grows in damp and grassy places and could be locally found in Britain and Ireland on ditches and river banks.

Traditional uses

Comfrey is used as an aid for humans. It is used as a tea or vegetable by humans. In herbal medicine, it was used for treating tendon damage, broken bones, lung congestion, ulcerations in the gastrointestinal tract, joint infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation, lung congestion and also promotes wound healing.

It is used topically to treat wounds.
Comfrey is useful in healing sprains, bruises and promotes the healing of bones.
Externally, roots is used to gargle or mouthwash for gum diseases, strep throat, and pharyngitis.
The internal use of roots is helpful for gastrointestinal ulcers and gastritis.
Roots are used as an aid for pleuritis, rheumatism and diarrhea in folk medicine.
It is used to treat gout and pain, swelling, stiffness, or reduced movement. সহজ বাংলা: জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।" data-rx-term="arthritis" data-rx-definition="Arthritis means joint inflammation causing pain, swelling, stiffness, or reduced movement. সহজ বাংলা: জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।">arthritis.
Its ointments help to heal, ligaments, pulled muscles, bruises, strains, sprains, fractures and pain and stiffness. সহজ বাংলা: বয়স/ক্ষয়ের কারণে জয়েন্টের ব্যথা।" data-rx-term="osteoarthritis" data-rx-definition="Osteoarthritis is wear-and-tear joint disease causing pain and stiffness. সহজ বাংলা: বয়স/ক্ষয়ের কারণে জয়েন্টের ব্যথা।">osteoarthritis.
It is also useful for stomach problems.

Precautions

It should not be applied to the broken skin or wounds.
Not to be used by pregnant and lactation women.
The people with liver problems should use it with caution.
It might cause abdominal pain, loss of appetite and vomiting.
It should not be combined with the herb that possesses pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
It has compounds which are harmful for liver and might cause liver cancer.

How to Eat

Sometimes it is used as an ingredient in salads and soups.
Young leaves are consumed raw or cooked.
Finely chop it and add it to salads.
The shoots (young) are used as a substitute for asparagus.
The dried leaves and roots are used as tea.

Other Facts

When dried, the root becomes slimy and horn-like.

References

Safety note: This is not a prescription or diagnosis. For severe symptoms, pregnancy danger signs, children with serious illness, chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke-like weakness, or major injury, seek urgent care.

Which doctor may help?

Start with a registered doctor or the nearest qualified health center.

What to tell the doctor

Write when the problem started and how it changed.
Bring old prescriptions, investigation reports, and current medicines.
Write allergies, pregnancy status, diabetes, kidney/liver disease, and major past illnesses.
Bring one family member if the patient is weak, elderly, confused, or a child.

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which danger signs mean I should go to hospital quickly?
Which tests are necessary now, and which can wait?
How should I take medicines safely and what side effects should I watch for?
When should I come for follow-up?

Tests to discuss

Vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
Basic physical examination by a clinician
CBC, urine test, blood sugar, or imaging only when clinically needed

Avoid these mistakes

Do not use antibiotics, steroid tablets/injections, or strong painkillers without proper medical advice.
Do not hide pregnancy, kidney disease, ulcer, allergy, or blood thinner use.
Do not delay emergency care when danger signs are present.

Medicine safety and first-aid guide

This section is for patient education only. It does not replace a doctor, pharmacist, or emergency care.

Safe first steps

Rest, drink safe water, and observe symptoms carefully.
Keep a written note of symptoms, duration, temperature, medicines already taken, and allergy history.
Seek medical care quickly if symptoms are severe, worsening, or unusual for the patient.

OTC medicine safety

For mild pain or fever, ask a registered pharmacist or doctor before using common over-the-counter pain/fever medicines.
Do not combine multiple pain medicines without advice, especially if you have kidney disease, liver disease, stomach ulcer, asthma, pregnancy, or take blood thinners.
Do not give adult medicines to children unless a qualified clinician advises it.

Avoid these mistakes

Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

Severe symptoms, confusion, fainting, breathing difficulty, chest pain, severe dehydration, or sudden weakness need urgent medical care.

Medicine names, dose, and timing must be decided by a qualified clinician or pharmacist after checking age, pregnancy, allergy, other diseases, and current medicines.

For rural patients and family caregivers

Patient health record and symptom diary

Write your symptoms, medicines already taken, test results, and questions before visiting a doctor. This note stays on your device unless you print or copy it.

Doctor to discuss: Doctor / qualified healthcare provider

Tests to discuss with doctor

Basic vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen level if needed
Relevant blood, urine, imaging, or specialist tests only after clinical assessment

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
Which tests are really needed now?
Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

Go to emergency care if you notice:

Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration

Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.

Step 1
Check danger signs first
If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.
Step 2
Record the symptom story
Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.
Step 3
Visit a qualified clinician
A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.
Step 4
Do only useful tests
Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.
Step 5
Follow up and return early if worse
If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips

Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.

RX Patient Help

Ask a health question safely

Write your symptom story. A health professional or site editor can review it before any answer is prepared. This box is not for emergency care.

Emergency first: Severe chest pain, breathing trouble, unconsciousness, stroke signs, severe injury, heavy bleeding, or rapidly worsening symptoms need urgent local medical care now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.