Traumaplant® pain ointment with extract of comfrey has a pronounced analgesic and antiphlogistic effect that provides relief from a wide range of musculoskeletal complaints, especially muscle and joint pain. Traumaplant® is also proving to be an effective alternative to topical NSAIDs in sports and accident injuries. Furthermore, Traumaplant® is the only comfrey preparation that may also be applied to abrasions and also promotes wound healing.
Topical preparations based on comfrey are considered a valid herbal alternative to therapy with ointments containing diclofenac for blunt trauma, muscle and joint pain, and rheumatic pain . Many pharmacological studies demonstrate the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and decongestant effects of comfrey7. The antiphlogistic effect of ointments containing wallwort, such as Traumaplant®, is particularly effective in sports and accident injuries such as sprains, strains, contusions and bruises, where a rapid improvement in the mobility of the affected joints is achieved.4-6
Traumaplant® differs from other comfrey preparations in that only fresh, above-ground parts of the comfrey plant and not the roots are used in the production of the extract. The special comfrey cultivar Symphytum x uplandicum Nyman is characterized by the absence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) in the harvested plant material. In addition, Traumaplant® contains the highest amount of plant material used (25 g of plant material per 100 g of ointment)8 of all comfrey preparations.
Traumaplant® for acute distortions of the ankle joint…
The efficacy of Traumaplant® in acute ankle sprains was confirmed in a randomized multicenter double-blind study with 203 patients . The reduction in symptom scores for pain on movement and at rest and for functional limitation determined after 3-4 days and after 7 days proved to be statistically significant and clinically relevant (p <0.001) compared to the reference medication (10-fold dilution of Traumaplant®). The decrease in swelling achieved with after 3-4 days was also significantly higher with verum than with control (p < 0.01)5.
…and for injuries of the knee joint
In a study in patients with acute contusions and strains of the knee joint, significant pain relief (pain at rest, pain on movement) as well as a decrease in swelling and a significant increase in joint mobility of the affected joint were achieved during 8 days of treatment with Traumaplant® .4 In a study in patients with acute contusions and sprains of the knee joint, a significant reduction in clinical symptoms of joint swelling, active and passive range of motion pain, and pain at rest was observed after only 4 days of Traumplant use. 6
Double added benefit: Traumaplant® may be used on abrasions and promotes wound healing
Sports injuries involving blunt trauma are often accompanied by superficial skin abrasions. Traumaplant® may also be applied to open abrasions due to the absence of PA – in contrast to other herbal pain ointments and topicals containing NSAIDs. This additionally allows the wound-healing effect to be exploited. This allows the reconstruction of the skin tissue injured during abrasions. Here, Traumaplant® showed a highly significant and clinically relevant acceleration of wound healing after 2-3 days compared to the reference (10-fold dilution) (49.3% vs. 28.7% per day; p < 0.0005).1 A separate randomized double-blind study in children aged 3 to 12 years (n=108) provided evidence that Traumaplant® significantly promotes wound healing also in children (p=0.0002).2 Similarly, in children, the broad effect on blunt trauma has been demonstrated.3 Traumaplant® is approved in Switzerland for children six years of age and older.8
Traumaplant® – herbal power for painful musculoskeletal complaints
The well-documented, broad efficacy profile of Traumaplant® makes the herbal pain ointment a serious alternative to topical ointments containing NSAIDs, not only for joint and muscle complaints, but also for sports and accident injuries.
With the kind support of the company Biomed AG.
References
- M. Barna et al. The wound-healing effect of a Symphytum herb extract cream (Symphytum × uplandicum Nyman): Results of a randomized, controlled, double-blind study. Wien Med Wochenschr;157(21/22):569-574(2007).
- M. Barna et al. Randomized Double-Blind Study: Wound-Healing Effects of a Symphytum Herb Extract Cream (Symphytum x uplandicum NYMAN) in Children.Arzneimittelforsch (62): 285-289(2012).
- J. Grünwald et al. Use and tolerability of comfrey cream (Symphyti herba) in children with acute blunt trauma. Z Phytother; 31(1): 61-66 (2010).
- H. Hess. Effect of a Symphytum ointment with sports injuries of the knee joint. Dtsch Z Sportmed;42(4):156-162(1991).
- M. Kucera et al. Efficacy and safety of topically applied Symphytum herb extract cream in the treatment of ankle distorsion: results of a randomized controlled clinical double-blind study. Wien Med Wochenschr; 154: 498-507(2004).
- G. Mayer. The local treatment of contusions and sprains of the knee joint with a Symphytum active substance complex ointment. Erfahrungsheilkunde; 12: 888-891(1992).
- C. Staiger. Comfrey: a clinical overview. Phytother Res. Oct;26(10):1441-1448(2012).
- Drug information Traumaplant®, www.swissmedicinfo.ch [11 .12.2018]
