Anal fissure can be defined as a cut or tear in an anal tissue or rectal canal. Most common causes of fissures are constipation, childbirth, forcing large or hard stools out of the body, etc. which irritate, stretch or tear the tissues in the rectum or anus. Anal fissures can be classified as mild or chronic. A mild anal fissure can heal on its own but if the crack or split in the tissue is deeper, it can become chronic and may take a while to heal.
Anal fissures can happen to anyone, be it adult man or woman or an infant. Some of the symptoms for anal fissure are painful bowel movements (the pain could be before, during or after the bowel movement), there is bleeding and the solid waste discharge has a foul smell. Itching of the anus can also be a symptom of anal fissure.
There are natural remedies for anal fissures and one of them is the use of comfrey.
Comfrey is a perennial herb commonly found in riverbanks and ditches or any watery places. I t is generally abundant in England and in temperate Asia. Comfrey’s scientific name is Symphytum officinale. Its texture is rough and hairy all over while its roots are fibrous and fleshy. Comfrey has a leafy stem, and its flowers bloom in pair. The flower is either creamy yellow or purple in color and is bell-shaped. It blooms during summer time, either end of April of early in May.
Comfrey thrives in almost any soil but does best under the shade of trees. Aside from being an ornamental plant, Comfrey is also used as an herbal medicine. This plant contains mucilage (substance that contains proteins), allantoin (a crystalline compound that helps in healing infections and local wounds), tannin (astringent) and a small amount of starch.
Comfrey is demulcent (relieves irritation) which largely helps in lung troubles and coughs. The mucilage in comfreys can be used in intestinal problems because it forms a gentle remedy in some cases like diarrhea and dysentery (infection of intestines with presence of mucus and blood in a person’s stool). Comfrey is also mildly astringent which helps skin contract to prevent further abrasions and is expectorant which helps clear air passages.
Most parts used for medicinal purposes from Comfreys are the leaves and roots. The leaves are used for external remedy. The leaves serve as poultice – for sprains, swellings and bruises – which is excellent for soothing pain in any inflamed part of the body. When making the salve, other ingredients like plantain, aloe vera and vitamin E should be mixed with the comfrey leaves for better effects. The roots, however, are said to be more effective than the leaves. Comfrey roots speed up the healing inflamed and bleeding of wounds since allantoin is abundant in this part of the plant. The roots can be used in concocting strong tea for internal hemorrhages whether it’s lungs, stomach or bowels. In making concoctions, you can boil ½ to 1 OZ of crushed root in about a quart of water or milk.
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