Comfrey Root for Back Pain

“Does comfrey really work for chronic back pain?”

For many people, yes, a topical application of comfrey may help ease acute back pain. Comfrey is not an herb we hear much about these days, probably because ingestion of the herb has been linked to liver failure. In fact, in 2001, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration issued an official advisory to several herbal groups advising them to stop advocating the use of comfrey. Some countries have banned (or tightly restricted) the sale of comfrey products while others allow the use of comfrey only under a doctor’s supervision.

However, the topical use of comfrey seems to be much safer. In fact a study just published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine identified few side effects. In this study, over 100 volunteers with back pain were given either a placebo ointment or an ointment made with comfrey. They were instructed to use the ointment 3 times per day for 5 days.

The comfry users saw a 95% reduction in pain in less than 1 hour after application. By contrast, the placebo users saw only a 38% reduction in pain.

One very encouraging thing to come out of this study was the lack of serious side effects. Only 4 of the comfrey users reported any side effects at all and the side effects that were reported ranged from a cold to eczema.

References:

FDA. (2001). FDA Advises Dietary Supplement Manufacturers to Remove Comfrey Products From the Market.

Giannetti, B., et al. (2009). Efficacy and safety of a Comfrey root extract ointment in the treatment of acute upper or low back pain: results of a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, multi-centre trial. British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Ginger for Chemotherapy Nausea

“Does taking ginger or drinking ginger tea after chemo really help with the nausea?”

For many cancer patients, a bit of ginger tea or a capsule of this pungent herb may very well help them better deal with the nausea associated with chemotherapy. The most recent study to look at ginger for nausea is a yet-to-be-published study from the University of Rochester. In this study, researchers gave 614 chemo patients either a placebo or capsules of ginger.

What researchers discovered was that a “dose” of between 0.5 grams and 1.0 grams, or 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon, was actually more effective than larger doses. All doses worked better than the placebo.

Ginger has long been used as a nausea remedy. A 2009 study of 67 pregnant women proves that this old folk remedy is more than just an old wives’ tale for morning sickness. In this study, a bit of ginger alleviated nausea and lessened the frequency of vomiting.

Researchers aren’t sure exactly how ginger works to ease symptoms like nausea but it’s thought that the effect may be due to ginger’s anti-inflammatory actions in the digestive tract.

To learn more about using ginger to alleviate the nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, ask your oncologist if a bit of ginger might be right for you.

References:

Ozgili, G., et al. (2009). Effects of ginger capsules on pregnancy, nausea, and vomiting. Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine.

Potato for Bee & Wasp Stings

“Does it really work to put a slice of potato on a wasp sting?”

You know, this is another one of those old home remedies that a lot of people believe in but which has absolutely no scientific evidence to back it up. I’m not sure why a potato would work and I’ve never seen a good explanation for why so many people recommend it.

Personally, I find the old stand-by ice more effective. The only time I tried a paste of baking soda, I was un-impressed and things like herbal packs and essential oils did absolutely nothing for me. I’ve also tried using a slice of onion and wetting an aspirin and putting that on the sting. Nothing really seemed to help as well as the ice.

Readers, have you tried this? Did it work for you? Any thoughts on why it would work, assuming that it does? Whatcha’ think of using a slice of potato for a bee or wasp sting?