Slippery root

Symphytum officinale (black wort, boneset, bruise wort, comfrey, knitback, knitbone, slippery root) contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, such as lasiocarpine and symphytine, and their N-oxides, and has repeatedly been associated with hepatotoxicity. 

Symphytum officinale (L.), S. tuberosum, Sympytum x uplandicum Nyman (Russian comfrey, a hybrid of S. officinale and S. asperum) (Anonymous, 1995), Symphytum asperum Lepech (prickly comfrey) (USP, 1998), boneset, knitback, knitbone (Awang, 1987), consound, common comfrey, blackwort, bruisewort, slippery root, yalluc, gum plant, consolida, ass ear (Grieve, 1971)... 

Comfrey Symphytum officinale Blackwort, slippery root... 

Foundation or J J Enterprizes. An anonymous user provided the ingredients list dandelion root, burdock root, red clover top, chamomile flower, alfalfa leaf, licorice root, slippery elm inner bark, hibiscus flower, dog rose hips, natural fruit flavors. Dandelion root is said to be the effective diuretic. 

Colds Anise, boneset, coltsfoot, comfrey, echinacea, elderberry, ginger, goldenseal (yellow-root), licorice, nettle, pleurisy root, slippery elm, spotted cranesbill, valerian, and willow bark or dogwood... 

The powdered or crushed fresh roots make a first-rate poultice, and the leaves also are used as a fomentation in inflammation. The addition of Slippery Elm powder improves the poultice, and the two remedies are frequently made up into an ointment for skin diseases, boils and ulcers. 

Porcher s Resources was a monumental work. Listing some 35,000 native plants, Porcher believed that 410 had medicinal value. Moreover, he gave an exhaustive list of native substitutes for imported drugs. For gum arabic (acacia), for example, he recommended slippery elm. Citing McKeown, Porcher suggested that a teaspoonful of the powdered [pleurisy] root in hot water, often repeated, acts as a safe and useful substitute for the preparations of antimony Porcher had particular favorites and tended to give them in running lists. A typical commentary ran as follows ... 

Demulcenta substance that is soothing and anti-inflammatory to the mucus membranes. Herbal demulcents include slippery elm bark and marsh mallow root. 

An additional source for Essiac herbs is the Herbal Healer Academy, HC32 Box 97-B, Mt. View, AR 72560, Tel 501-269-4177. The herbs, in this instance, were said to be burdock root (Arctium), sheep sorrel (Rumex), slippery elm (Ulmus), and turkey rhubarb root (Rheum). All are listed in Hartwell (1982a, b). (According to this herbal source, Clark s The Cure for All Cancers (1983) seemed to be a bestseller, although there was dissent about its effectiveness.)... 

Indian Turnip Poultice. Toko of the tops and roots of Indian turnip, if green if dir, the roots only simmer in water, and add slippery elm bark sufficient to form a poultice. This poultice is used in the treatment of scrofula with the best effect. It is superior to every other poultice in scrofula, in a state of swelling and inflammation. 

Barks and roots 1 ounce (25 g) herb per pint (475 ml) of water. Steep 8 hours in hot water, tightly covered. Some barks, such as slippery elm, need less time (1 to 2 hours). 

Rosemary Gladstar s Tea for Diarrhea 3 parts blackberry root 2 parts slippery elm bark... 

Mix the herbs together (for example, 3 ounces [85 g] blackberry root and 2 ounces [57 g] slippery elm bark). 

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