[MR] Boo Boo Juice

[Dexter Guptill]

I posted a reply that went to Logan instead of the list.  With his
permission, forwarding our off-list discussion, and my comments
thereafter:

Scripsit Logan:
> On Thu, Oct 22, 2009 at 12:32 AM, logan <logan at ebonwoulfe.com> wrote:
>> medically speaking what does tea tree, lavender, comfrey, etc do?

I answered:
> I'd have to look up whether tea tree or lavender actually do something  for bruises. Comfrey, applied topically, helps with healing of
> trauma-type injuries up to and including fractures. Won't do squat for  the discoloration, but helps the blood vessels repair
>themselves.
>
> Erich von Kleinfeld, Barber-surgeon,
>etcetera

Respondit Logan:
On Thu, Oct 22, 2009 at 8:52 AM, logan <logan at ebonwoulfe.com> wrote:
> but you have the whole liver damage issue that is caused by that plant which
> is why modern medicine avoids its use.  i know that many eastern martial art
> disciplines use it either by ingesting it or smoking it to relieve pain,
> however its use is banned in every legit fighting organization because of
> the liver damage.
[Snip of some stuff that he's since mentioned on-list]

And finally:
[[New]]
Your Grace,
I think I see why it's regarded as hazardous in some circles, and not
in others.  You mentioned people ingesting or smoking the stuff. Any
form of internal use is considered a Bad Idea(tm).  Given your mention
of liver damage, I see WHY it's a bad idea.  All of the
recommendations I've seen for comfrey, be it a poultice of fresh
leaves, roots, or prepared ointments, have been for topical use.  NOT
running it through the GI and/or respiratory systems would cut back
quite a bit on the toxicity.

There is one area where they're starting to worry and do tests
concerning topical use: Because it promotes cell growth, there's some
worry that comfrey may be a carcinogen.  I've heard somewhere (meaning
"take with salt as appropriate") that there's some research starting
up.

Erich von Kleinfeld, Barber-Surgeon,
mka

-- 
Dex
http://members.cox.net/dguptill

"Rule 37: There is no overkill. There is only 'Open Fire', and 'I need
to reload'. " http://www.schlockmercenary.com