Comfrey Root Extract Relieves Chronic Back Pain
A new study finds comfrey root ointment relieves chronic back pain, quickly and effectively.
120 people aged between 18 and 60 with upper or lower back pain used 4g of either a placebo ointment or one containing comfrey root extract 3 to 5 times per day.
After five days, participants using the comfrey root preparation had a 95% reduction in pain intensity whereas those using the dummy cream reported only a 39% decrease in pain levels.
The comfrey root ointment was also found to be fast acting, relieving pain after just one hour.
The researchers note that in previous studies comfrey root extract has also been effective in the treatment of ankle sprains and arthritic knee pain.
Source : British Journal Of Sports Medicine
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 Online First Br J Sports Med 2009; doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2009.058677
