Tıbbi Karakafes Otu (Symphytum officinale L.) Bitkisinin Kullanım Alanları ve Önemi

Abstract

Boraginaceae familyasına ait Symphytum officinale L. (Tıbbi karakafes otu) türü Avrupa ve Asya’ya özgü, nehirler ve akarsular boyunca nemli alanlarda yetişen, yüksekliği 1-2 metreye kadar ulaşabilen dik, çok yıllık bir bitkidir. Yunanca ‘‘birlikte büyümek’’ anlamına gelen ve ‘‘Symphuo’’ kelimesinden türeyen S. officinale, 2000 yılı aşkın süredir kemik kırıkları, eklem iltihapları, yaralar, hematomlar ve tromboflebit gibi çeşitli hastalıkların tedavisinde kullanılmaktadır. Ülkemizde kök ve yaprakları kabızlıkta, dahilen ise basura karşı kullanıldığı bilinmektedir. Avrupa’da ise künt yaralanmalar, kırıklar, şişmiş çürükler, çıban, karbonkül, varis ülserleri ve yanıklar gibi lokal enflamasyonlarda haricen lapa olarak kullanıldığı bildirilmiştir. Ayrıca emziren kadınlarda meme ağrısını hafifletmek için bitki çayı olarak ülser, fıtık, kolit ve iç kanamayı durdurmak için kullanıldığı bildirilmiştir. Bitki çayının ayrıca burun tıkanıklığı ve iltihabı, ishal ve öksürüğü tedavi etmek için kullanıldığı da kayıtlara geçmiştir. Ağız yaraları ve diş eti kanamalarında ise gargara halinde kullanılmaktadır. Karakafes otunun terapötik etkilerinin yaygın olarak bilinmesine rağmen, insanlarda ve hayvanlarda hepatotoksik ve kanserojen etkili olabileceği çalışmalar ile gösterilmiş, bundan dolayı birçok ülkede kullanımını sınırlandırılmıştır. Genellikle baharat olarak da kullanılan karakafes otunun salatalara da ilave edildiği, diğer yeşilliklerle birlikte kızartılıp köfte yapımında kullanıldığı da kayıtlarda mevcuttur. Bu çalışmada S. officinale türünün geleneksel kullanım alanları ve önemi ile ilgili bazı bilgiler derlenmiştir.

Keywords

• Symphytum officinale
• geleneksel kullanım
• Boraginaceae
• Tıbbi karakafes otu

Usage Areas and Importance of Comfrey (Symphytum officinale L.)

Abstract

Symphytum officinale L. (Comfrey) species belonging to the Boraginaceae family is an upright, perennial herb native to Europe and Asia, growing in moist areas along rivers and streams, reaching 1-2 meters in height. S. officinale, which derives from the Greek word “Symphuo” meaning “to grow together” has been used for over 2000 years in the treatment of various diseases such as bone fractures, joint inflammations, wounds, hematomas, and thrombophlebitis. In our country, it is known that the root and leaves are used in constipation and internally against hemorrhoids. In Europe, it has been reported to be used externally as a poultice in local inflammations such as blunt injuries, fractures, swollen bruises, boils, carbuncles, varicose ulcers, and burns. It has also been reported to be used as an herbal tea to relieve breast pain in lactating women, and to stop ulcers, hernias, colitis, and internal bleeding. Herbal tea has also been used to treat nasal congestion, inflammation, diarrhoea, and cough. It is used as a mouthwash for mouth sores and gingival bleeding. Although the therapeutic effects of comfrey are widely known, studies have shown that it can be hepatotoxic and carcinogenic in humans and animals, therefore its use has been limited in many countries. It is also recorded that comfrey, generally used as a spice, is added to salads, fried with other greens, and made meatballs. In this study, some information about the traditional uses and importance of S. officinale has been compiled.

Keywords

• Symphytum officinale
• traditional use
• Boraginaceae
• Comfrey

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