Omnia SanaPlant Comparison
Common Comfrey vs Bilberry
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Common Comfrey and Bilberry: they share 5 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, inflammation (general), skin irritation, …); 1 pharmacological action in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Common Comfrey | Bilberry | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 5/10 | 5/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Inflammation (general) | 5/10 | 5/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Skin irritation | 5/10 | 5/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Swelling / fluid retention | 5/10 | 5/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Varicose veins | 5/10 | 5/10 | Comparable evidence |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
The key cell-proliferative constituent underlying comfrey's wound-healing reputation.
Contribute to the soothing, demulcent texture of the leaf and root.
Contribute to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.
Hepatotoxic constituents naturally present in the whole plant; the reason internal use is not recommended and processed/detoxified extracts are used for research.
The deep blue-purple pigments; the principal antioxidant constituents.
Contribute to antioxidant and astringent activity.
Minor nutritive constituents of the berry.
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-oedematous action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Supports cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors, including blood lipids (high cholesterol)
Traditional support for eye strain and vision (note: rigorous trials do NOT support improved night vision in healthy eyes)
Supports cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors, including blood lipids (high cholesterol)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from venotonic action
Supports capillary integrity and venous tone (traditional use for varicose veins / chronic venous insufficiency)
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Big headline: Comfrey naturally contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which can seriously harm the liver if taken internally (Staiger, 2012; EMA, 2015). • Do not ingest comfrey (no teas, no internal tinctures, no capsules), because PA exposure from internal use is the main safety problem (Staiger, 2012; Bach et al., 1990). • Topical use only, short-term: EU herbal guidance describes comfrey root preparations for minor bruises and sprains in adults, and recommends limited duration (commonly up to about 10 days) (EMA, 2015; EMA/HMPC, 2024). • Do not apply to broken skin (open wounds, damaged/irritated skin) and avoid eyes/mucous membranes (EMA/HMPC, 2024). • Pregnancy & breastfeeding: best avoided (not enough safety margin for medicinal use) (EMA/HMPC, 2024). • Children/adolescents: not recommended for medicinal topical use in EU monograph context (EMA/HMPC, 2024). • If you have liver disease or take medicines that stress the liver, skip comfrey completely (risk management logic based on PA concern) (Staiger, 2012; EMA, 2015). • Skin reactions: mild rash/irritation can occur; stop if it irritates (Smith and Jacobson, 2011).
Duke (2002) classifies common comfrey (Symphytum officinale) with anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties, supported by allantoin content (promotes cell proliferation). However, comfrey also contains hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Internal use is no longer recommended, and Commission E approved only external use. Duke emphasizes that pyrrolizidine alkaloids are cumulative hepatotoxins associated with veno-occlusive disease, and prolonged or internal use is contraindicated (Duke, 2002).
The berry is a food and generally very safe; long-term safety of concentrated high-dose extracts is less well characterised.
May lower blood sugar and has mild antiplatelet potential, so use cautiously alongside antidiabetic or anticoagulant/antiplatelet medication.
Claims that bilberry improves night vision in people with normal sight are not supported by rigorous clinical trials.
External Ids
Botanical Description
Robust, hairy perennial herb (Boraginaceae), 60-120 cm tall, with a thick, black-skinned, mucilaginous taproot. Leaves are large, broad, lance-shaped and bristly-hairy, running down the stem as raised wings (decurrent) - the leaf base's smooth, untoothed margin is a key feature distinguishing it from toxic foxglove. Drooping clusters of tubular, bell-shaped flowers are cream, pink or purple depending on variety.[11]
Low, deciduous, much-branched shrub with sharply angled green stems and small, oval, finely toothed leaves. Small, pinkish-green, globe-shaped flowers are borne singly or in pairs, giving way to single, dark blue-black berries with a distinctive crowned top.[1]
Habitat
Harvesting
Leaves are cut during the growing season (before flowering is often preferred for lower pyrrolizidine-alkaloid content); root is dug in autumn or spring from mature plants.[11]
Berries are hand-picked or gathered with a berry rake when fully ripe in mid-to-late summer.
Traditional Uses
Comfrey has one of the strongest traditional reputations of any European herb for wound healing and bone/tissue repair - the folk names 'knitbone' and 'boneset' reflect this - owing to its high allantoin content, which stimulates cell proliferation. Because the plant also contains hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, modern regulatory use is restricted to topical preparations only, for minor bruises and sprains, and internal use (teas, tinctures) is no longer recommended.[11]
Bilberry has a long European folk tradition as a food and remedy for diarrhoea, eye strain and circulatory complaints, with dried berry and standardized anthocyanin extracts studied for cardiovascular and metabolic support; claims of improved night vision in people with normal eyesight are not supported by rigorous clinical trials.[1, 14]
Preparations
Dosage
EU herbal-monograph guidance describes comfrey root preparations applied topically for minor bruises and sprains in adults, for a limited duration (commonly up to about 10 days); do not apply to broken skin or near eyes/mucous membranes. Comfrey must never be taken internally (no teas, tinctures or capsules) because of its pyrrolizidine alkaloid content. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Clinical research commonly uses around 160-480 mg of standardized 25% anthocyanoside extract daily. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
References & Sources
- Syarifah, A.N., Suryadi, H., Hayun, H., Simamora, A. and others (2023) 'Detoxification of comfrey (Symphytum officinale L.) extract using natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) and evaluation of its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective properties', Frontiers in Pharmacology, 14, pp. 1012716. doi:10.3389/fphar.2023.1012716 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2023.1012716 - Melnyk, N., Popowski, D., Strawa, J.W., Przygodzinska, K. and others (2023) 'Skin microbiota metabolism of natural products from comfrey root (Symphytum officinale L.)', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 318(Pt B), pp. 116968. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2023.116968 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2023.116968 - Trifan, A., Skalicka-Wozniak, K., Granica, S., Czerwinska, M.E. and others (2020) 'Symphytum officinale L.: Liquid-liquid chromatography isolation of caffeic acid oligomers and evaluation of their influence on pro-inflammatory cytokine release in LPS-stimulated neutrophils', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 262, pp. 113169. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2020.113169 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113169 - Brown, A.W., Stegelmeier, B.L., Colegate, S.M., Gardner, D.R. and others (2016) 'The comparative toxicity of a reduced, crude comfrey (Symphytum officinale) alkaloid extract and the pure, comfrey-derived pyrrolizidine alkaloids, lycopsamine and intermedine in chicks (Gallus gallus domesticus)', Journal of Applied Toxicology, 36(5), pp. 716-725. doi:10.1002/jat.3205 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/jat.3205 - Trifan, A., Wolfram, E., Esslinger, N., Grubelnik, A. and others (2021) 'Globoidnan A, rabdosiin and globoidnan B as new phenolic markers in European-sourced comfrey (Symphytum officinale L.) root samples', Phytochemical Analysis, 32(4), pp. 482-494. doi:10.1002/pca.2996 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/pca.2996 - Nastic, N., Borras-Linares, I., Lozano-Sanchez, J., Svarc-Gajic, J. and others (2020) 'Comparative Assessment of Phytochemical Profiles of Comfrey (Symphytum officinale L.) Root Extracts Obtained by Different Extraction Techniques', Molecules, 25(4), pp. 837. doi:10.3390/molecules25040837 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25040837 - Frost, R., MacPherson, H. and O'Meara, S (2013) 'A critical scoping review of external uses of comfrey (Symphytum spp.)', Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 21(6), pp. 724-745. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2013.09.009 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2013.09.009 - Trifan, A., Opitz, S.E.W., Josuran, R., Grubelnik, A. and others (2018) 'Is comfrey root more than toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids? Salvianolic acids among antioxidant polyphenols in comfrey (Symphytum officinale L.) roots', Food and Chemical Toxicology, 112, pp. 178-187. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2017.12.051 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2017.12.051 - Dey, D., Jingar, P., Agrawal, S., Shrivastava, V. and others (2019) 'Symphytum officinale augments osteogenesis in human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in vitro as they differentiate into osteoblasts', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 248, pp. 112329. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2019.112329 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2019.112329 - Kuchta, K. and Schmidt, M (2020) 'Safety of medicinal comfrey cream preparations (Symphytum officinale s.l.): The pyrrolizidine alkaloid lycopsamine is poorly absorbed through human skin', Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 118, pp. 104784. doi:10.1016/j.yrtph.2020.104784 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yrtph.2020.104784 - European Medicines Agency (2011) 'European Union herbal monograph on Symphytum officinale L., radix'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=European%20Union%20herbal%20monograph%20on%20Symphytum%20officinale%20L.%2C%20radix - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org - Staiger, C (2012) 'Comfrey: a clinical overview', 26(10), pp. 1441--1448. doi:10.1002/ptr.4612 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.4612 - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Vithayathil, M.K. and Edwards, M (2016) 'Comfrey herbal remedy causing second-degree heart block: do not be outfoxed by digitalis', BMJ Case Reports, 2016, pp. bcr2016216995. doi:10.1136/bcr-2016-216995 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2016-216995 - Lin, C.C. and Yang, C.C. and Phua, D.H. and Deng, J.F. and Lu, L.H (2010) 'An outbreak of foxglove leaf poisoning', Journal of the Chinese Medical Association, 73(2), pp. 97-100. doi:10.1016/S1726-4901(10)70009-5 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1016/S1726-4901(10)70009-5 - Woodland Trust (2024) 'Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)'. Available at: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/plants/wild-flowers/foxglove/ Traditional / reference
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/plants/wild-flowers/foxglove/
- Canter, P.H. and Ernst, E (2004) 'Anthocyanosides of Vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry) for night vision - a systematic review of placebo-controlled trials', Survey of Ophthalmology. doi:10.1016/j.survophthal.2003.10.006 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.survophthal.2003.10.006 - Ulbricht, C., Basch, E., Basch, S., Bent, S. and others (2009) 'An evidence-based systematic review of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration', Journal of Dietary Supplements, 6(2), pp. 162-200. doi:10.1080/19390210902861858 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/19390210902861858 - Arevstrom, L., Bergh, C., Landberg, R., Wu, H. and others (2018) 'Freeze-dried bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) dietary supplement improves walking distance and lipids after myocardial infarction: an open-label randomized clinical trial', Nutrition Research, 62, pp. 13-22. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2018.11.008 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2018.11.008 - Haga, S., YiMin, Yamaki, H., Jin, S. and others (2019) 'Extracts of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) fruits improve liver steatosis and injury in mice by preventing lipid accumulation and cell death', Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, 83(11), pp. 2110-2120. doi:10.1080/09168451.2019.1634514 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/09168451.2019.1634514 - Neamtu, A.A., Szoke-Kovacs, R., Mihok, E., Georgescu, C. and others (2020) 'Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) Extracts Comparative Analysis Regarding Their Phytonutrient Profiles, Antioxidant Capacity along with the In Vivo Rescue Effects Tested on a Drosophila melanogaster High-Sugar Diet Model', Antioxidants, 9(11), pp. 1067. doi:10.3390/antiox9111067 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9111067 - Gaspar, D.P., Lechtenberg, M. and Hensel, A (2021) 'Quality Assessment of Bilberry Fruits (Vaccinium myrtillus) and Bilberry-Containing Dietary Supplements', Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 69(7), pp. 2213-2225. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.0c07784 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.0c07784 - Dare, A.P., Gunther, C.S., Grey, A.C., Guo, G. and others (2021) 'Resolving the developmental distribution patterns of polyphenols and related primary metabolites in bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) fruit', Food Chemistry, 374, pp. 131703. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.131703 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.131703 - Prokop, J., Lnenickova, K., Cibicek, N., Kosina, P. and others (2019) 'Effect of bilberry extract (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) on drug-metabolizing enzymes in rats', Food and Chemical Toxicology, 129, pp. 382-390. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2019.04.051 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2019.04.051 - Pires, T.C.S.P., Dias, M.I., Calhelha, R.C., Alves, M.J. and others (2020) 'Development of new bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) based snacks: Nutritional, chemical and bioactive features', Food Chemistry, 334, pp. 127511. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127511 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127511 - Sharma, A. and Lee, H.J (2022) 'Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.)', Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 44(10), pp. 4570-4583. doi:10.3390/cimb44100313 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb44100313 - Vanekova, Z. and Rollinger, J.M (2022) 'Bilberries: Curative and Miraculous - A Review on Bioactive Constituents and Clinical Research', Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13, pp. 909914. doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.909914 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.909914 - Crespo, M.C. and Visioli, F (2017) 'A Brief Review of Blue- and Bilberries' Potential to Curb Cardio-Metabolic Perturbations: Focus on Diabetes', Current Pharmaceutical Design, 23(7), pp. 983-988. doi:10.2174/1381612822666161010120523 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2174/1381612822666161010120523 - Kopystecka, A., Koziol, I., Radomska, D., Bielawski, K., Bielawska, A. and Wujec, M (2023) 'Vaccinium uliginosum and Vaccinium myrtillus - Two Species One Used as a Functional Food', Nutrients, 15(19), pp. 4119. doi:10.3390/nu15194119 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15194119 - Chan, S.W. and Tomlinson, B (2020) 'Effects of Bilberry Supplementation on Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disease Risk', Molecules. doi:10.3390/molecules25071653 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25071653 - Kopcekova, J. and Mrazova, J (2022) 'Phytonutrients of bilberry fruit and saskatoon berry in the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia', Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny, 73(3), pp. 265--274. doi:10.32394/rpzh.2022.0216 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.32394/rpzh.2022.0216 - Foraging Course Company 'Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) Identification'. Available at: https://www.foragingcoursecompany.co.uk/post/foraging-guide-bilberry Traditional / reference
https://www.foragingcoursecompany.co.uk/post/foraging-guide-bilberry
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.