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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Article Summary

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,...

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.
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Definition

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 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 damage, broken bones, lung congestion, ulcerations in the gastrointestinal tract, joint , 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 , and pharyngitis.
  • The internal use of roots is helpful for gastrointestinal ulcers and .
  • Roots are used as an aid for pleuritis, rheumatism and in folk medicine.
  • It is used to treat and .
  • Its ointments help to heal, , pulled muscles, bruises, strains, sprains, fractures and .
  • 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 problems should use it with caution.
  • It might cause , and .
  • 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.

 


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Prepare before seeing a doctor

A simple rural-patient checklist to help you explain symptoms clearly, ask better questions, and avoid unsafe self-treatment.

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.

Safe pathway to proper treatment

Care roadmap for: Comfrey, Ass Ear, Blackwork, Black Root, Boneset, Bruisewort, Gum Plant, Knitback

Use this simple roadmap to understand the next safe steps. It is educational and does not replace examination by a doctor.

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.
  1. Step 1

    Check danger signs first

    If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.

  2. Step 2

    Record the symptom story

    Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.

  3. Step 3

    Visit a qualified clinician

    A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.

  4. Step 4

    Do only useful tests

    Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.

  5. 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.

Internal learning pathway

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