I read things like, “Oh, that is interesting” and “I didn’t know that” and yet the author remains absolutely, positively steadfast in her misinformed position that all of us (who apparently know at least a little bit more than her on the subject through personal experience and alternate information sources) should DEFINITELY NOT USE COMFREY in any quantity or for any duration to treat any ailment. Pretty interesting to read the author’s responses to commenters sharing their positive experiences using Comfrey. The effects of comfrey derived pyrrolizidine alkaloids on rat liver. Hepatocyte membrane injury and bleb formation following low dose comfrey toxicity in rats. Determination of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in commercial comfrey products ( Symphytum sp.). Analysis, separation, and bioassay of pyrrolizidine alkaloids from comfrey ( Symphytum officinale). Mutagenicity of comfrey ( Symphytum officinale) in rat liver. Toxicokinetics of riddelliine, a carcinogenic pyrrolizidine alkaloid, and metabolites in rats and mice. If you want my honest opinion, rather avoid Comfrey and any products containing it, altogether. Horses may have neurological signs such as “head pressing” oedema of tissues of the digestive tract.jaundiced skin (from impaired liver function). What are the symptoms of pyrrolizidine alkaloid poisoning? Rats fed Comfrey (0.5% roots and 8% leaves) developed hepatomas (liver cancer) and died. Also, the analytical method used to assay these compounds is a bit unreliable.īoth the leaves and the roots of Comfrey have been shown to cause cancer. You might find that it is difficult to ascertain the correct level as most preparations don’t put the amount onto the label. So, if you’re going to use a cream or ointment, make sure that the daily amount applied to the skin doesn’t exceed 100 micrograms. What about topical (skin) use? Pyrrolizidine alkaloids can be absorbed through the skin as well. Also, some of Symphytum officinale’s close relatives (commonly mistaken for Comfrey) have even higher levels. Generally speaking, the root has higher levels of these molecules than the leaves. Even long term use of very small doses can be harmful, as the damage is cumulative and the damage is irreversible. In humans, use of comfrey for as little as 5 days (in children) or 19 days (in adults) has resulted in severe liver damage and death. This leads to cirrhosis and eventually liver failure. The way that they work is by blocking small blood vessels in the liver. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are very toxic to the liver and are also carcinogenic (cause cancer). “It is just a scam by Big Pharma to stop us using it so that they can make more money.” A few years ago, after I had commented on an online site about the dangers of using Comfrey, a well-known animal herbalist called me on the phone. Even today, years after pyrrolizidine alkaloids were found and identified in Comfrey (aka Symphytum officinale), herbalists continue to recommend its use.
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