Comfrey relieves back pain

Study: Comfrey helps with back pain

07/03/2013

Many people suffer from acute back pain of unclear origin. Local anti-inflammatory applications as an alternative to analgesics are interesting if they bring fewer side effects. Comfrey seems to fulfill this requirement.

A new study shows that there is a pain relieving alternative to painkillers in the form of a comfrey ointment and nicotinic acid methyl ester.

In total, the study included 362 patients with unexplained pain in the upper and lower back. The first group (156 patients) massaged approx. 4g of the combination ointment containing 35% comfrey root extract and 1.2% nicotinic acid methyl ester on the painful areas every 8 hours. The second group (156 patients) used an ointment without comfrey root extract and 1.2% nicotinic acid methyl ester. Another control group (50 patients) received a placebo ointment.

After 5 days, the motion pain in the combination group was 27% lower than in the nicotinic acid methyl ester group. It was even reduced by 50% compared to the placebo group. Pain at rest was also significantly lower in the combination group than in the methyl nicotinate group and in the placebo group. All differences were significant (Source: Pabst H et al., Combination of comfrey root extract plus methyl nicotinate in patients with conditions of acute upper or low back pain: a multicenter randomized controlled trial.) Phytother Res. 2013 Jun; 27 (6): 811-7th doi: 10.1002 / ptr.4790)

Picture: Walter Eberl