Symphytum officinale - Comfrey
"CONSTITUENT: It contains tannic acid, starch and a small quantity of asparagine.
PREPARATIONS: A tincture and a fluid extract are prepared, also specific symphytum. Dose of tincture is from one to ten drops.
Therapy: Its direct influence, like other mucilaginous agents, seems to be upon the mucous surfaces when taken internally. It was previously advised in all forms of bronchial irritation, with cough or difficult breathing, especially if there was hemoptisis. It was used in the chronic cases, or where there was protracted convalescence. of severe acute cases. Some writers have been very enthusiastic concerning its specific influence. One physician who has used it for over thirty years, claims to obtain the best results from a strong decoction, made from one ounce of the root, in a pint of water. He gives this almost ad libitum is a drink. In pneumonia, this decoction relieves the difficult and painful breathing. It aids expectoration, and tends to lower the temperature. In all serious cases, he depends upon this remedy. Its properties lie believes to be not only soothing, but demulcent, balsamic and especially pectoral.
Where there is inflammation of the stomach or bowels, he has obtained signal benefit from this infusion, especially if, as a result from inflammation, there is hemorrhage or passive discharges of any character. He also gives the infusion as a drink in nephritis, in both acute and chronic cases. In inflammation of the bowels, it may be injected, and being retained it exercises a direct soothing influence, which would probably be enhanced by the addition of the proper intestinal antiseptic. ...
(Finley Ellingwood: The American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy, 1915)"