Herbal Remedy Comfrey Root Linked to Acute Back Pain Relief

Comfrey root, an herbal remedy used for centuries to heal wounds and promote strong bones, may also provide relief to people who suffer from acute back pain, new research shows.

In a study paid for by drug-maker Merck, people with acute back pain treated with an ointment including comfrey root reported significant reductions in pain compared to others who were given placebo ointments.

The new findings add to the list of known benefits of comfrey root, which previous studies have shown is effective at treating arthritic knee pain and ankle sprains.

In the study, researchers focused on 120 people between the ages of 18 and 60 who suffered from back pain not attributed to an identifiable cause, such as trauma to the body or a slipped disc. All patients were treated with four grams of ointment applied to the back three times a day for five days, but only half of the participants received ointment containing comfrey root, officials said.

At the end of the study, patients were asked to rate their back pain during normal movement and while at rest. The result was patients treated with ointment with comfrey root reported a 95 percent reduction in pain while in motion compared to a 38 percent reduction in people who received placebo ointment, the researchers said.

At-rest back pain was reduced 97 percent in the group treated with comfrey root, but just 40 percent in the placebo group. Also, the comfrey root ointment appeared to take effect less than an hour after it was applied, according to researchers.

Few benefits were associated with the use of the comfrey root ointment, but four users complained of nausea, eczema, and runny noses.

“The results of this clinical trial are clear-cut and consistent across all primary and secondary efficacy variables,” the authors said in a statement accompanying their study results. “Comfrey root extract shows a remarkably potent and clinically relevant effect in reducing acute back pain.”

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