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| thoroughly cleaned because the rapid healing caused by the allantoin may trap dirt, leading to abscesses. |
| Cautions: During the 1960s and 1970s the plant became overhyped as a cure-all for arthritis, and this inevitably focused research interest on its constituents. Researchers fed large amounts of the plant to rats; the rats subsequently died of liver disorders, and comfrey's pyrrolizidine alkaloids were blamed. Comfrey supporters argue that the rats had so much comfrey to eat they actually suffered from the effects of malnutrition. Some also maintain that only small amounts of the alkaloids are extracted in conventional herbal preparations (infusions and ointments), so these are quite safe in normal low doses, although this has not been confirmed in tests (Betz et al. 1994). Health authorities have tended to disagree. Comfrey is now banned in many parts of the world; where it is not banned, some advise against using it in open wounds. Traditionally, comfrey was never used as a long-term medication; it was regarded as an external treatment for short-term use only. If we follow this convention, many herbalists consider it no more toxic than any other form of medication. |
| Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus) |
| Cucumbers are cleansing, diuretic, and refreshing, help to dissolve uric acid and thus are useful for gout and arthritis. Cucumbers are around 95 percent water but do contain vitamins A, B-complex, and C as well as manganese, sulphur, and other minerals. |
| Parts used: Fruit. |
| Actions: Cleansing, cooling, diuretic, clears uric acid. |
| Uses: Cool slices of cucumber are useful as eye pads to soothe tired and inflamed eyes, while internally they can cool the stomach and thus are a useful food to eat for gastric irritations and colic. Lightly cooked cucumber is best for digestive problems. |
| Cucumbers are also a favorite with beauticians as the basis for moisturizers and other skin products. A homemade alternative is |
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