Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract

Symphytum officinale leaf extract is derived from the leaves of the common comfrey plant. The plant has been used for years in Asia and Europe as herbal medicine to treat swollen injuries and bruises or to relieve the pain caused by osteoarthritis.

Comfrey leaf extracts have in fact been proven to be effective at treating these wounds. This is because they contains allantoin, a caffeine-like compound responsible for their anti-inflammatory effect.

The FTC warns, however, that products containing comfrey should not be taken orally or applied to open wounds, as the plant contains moderately toxic alkaloids. Fortunately, alkaloids cause no harm when applied to unbroken skin.