Symphytum. Symphytum officinale, Comfrey.

Symphytum. Symphytum officinale L. Comfrey. Blackwort. Briussewort. Radix Symphiti. Radix Consolidae Majoris. Consoude, Fr. Schwarzwurzs, Beinwurz, G.—A perennial, European plant often cultivated. Its root is spindle-shaped, branched, often more than 2.5 cm. thick and 3 dm. long, externally smooth and blackish, internally white, fleshy, and juicy. By drying it becomes wrinkled, of a firm, horny consistence, and of a dark color within. It is almost inodorous, and has a mucilaginous, feebly astringent taste. Titherley and Coppin in 1912 found 0.8 per cent. of allantoin, C₄H₆N₄O₃, in the rhizome. It contains mucilage in great abundance (according to Lewis, more than althaea, root), and a little tannin. It was formerly highly esteemed as a vulnerary. According to Maealister (B. M. J., Jan. 6, 1912), allantoin, in aqueous solution in strengths of 0.3 per cent. has a powerful action in hastening epithelial formation, and is a valuable remedy not only in external ulceration, but also in ulcers of the stomach and duodenum. Comfrey is a demulcent, and is used domestically in chronic catarrhs, consumption, and other lung diseases.

The Dispensatory of the United States of America, 1918, was edited by Joseph P. Remington, Horatio C. Wood and others.