Does Comfrey Cause Liver Damage?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Does Comfrey cause liver damage?

Comfrey has toxic substances that can cause severe liver damage and even death

. You should never take comfrey by mouth. The toxic substances in comfrey can be absorbed by the skin. Even creams and ointments should be used for only a short time, and only under a doctor’s supervision.

Is comfrey hard on the liver?

When taken by mouth: Comfrey is LIKELY UNSAFE for anyone when taken by mouth. It contains chemicals (pyrrolizidine alkaloids, PAs) that

can cause liver damage

, lung damage, and cancer.

Why did FDA ban comfrey?


The pyrrolizidine alkaloids in comfrey can cause severe liver damage, liver cancer, mutagenicity, and even death

. [8,9] For this reason, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has banned the sale of oral comfrey products in the United States.

What happens if you ingest comfrey?

Is comfrey a carcinogen?

As noted above,

comfrey contains substances called pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are both toxic to the liver and carcinogenic

.

What herbs are toxic to the liver?

In fact, some common herbs could cause toxic liver disease. Watch out for supplements that contain

aloe vera, black cohosh, cascara, chaparral, comfrey, ephedra, or kava

. Chemicals and solvents. Some workplace chemicals can harm your liver.

Can herbal supplements cause liver damage?



Herbal teas and supplements can definitively lead to liver injury and even liver failure

— we call this herb-induced liver injury,” says Tatyana Kushner, MD, a hepatologist and an assistant professor in the division of liver diseases at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.

Does comfrey heal broken bones?

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) acts as an anti-inflammatory to promote healing of bruises, sprains, and open wounds when applied topically. The roots and leaves of this plant contain the protein allantoin, which stimulates cell proliferation and

promote wound and bone healings

.

Is it safe to grow comfrey?


It is an extremely tolerant and resilient plant

. Suitable for perennial cultivation in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9, it is not very sensitive to soil conditions or pH, and it spreads rapidly. There is no need to worry much about weed control, because comfrey’s large, quick-growing leaves will shade them out.

How do you use comfrey for healing?

  1. Vigorous comfrey plants regrow after greens are harvested for compost or mulch.
  2. Garlic is tucked in with a double mulch of chopped comfrey and rotted hay.
  3. A comfrey root poultice can speed healing of sprains and bruises.
  4. Use dried leaves to make comfrey tea for houseplants.

Can comfrey make you sick?


Comfrey has toxic substances that can cause severe liver damage and even death

. You should never take comfrey by mouth. The toxic substances in comfrey can be absorbed by the skin. Even creams and ointments should be used for only a short time, and only under a doctor’s supervision.

What is comfrey tea good for?

Comfrey is used as a tea for

upset stomach, ulcers, heavy menstrual periods, diarrhea, bloody urine, persistent cough, painful breathing (pleuritis), bronchitis, cancer, and chest pain (angina)

. It is also used as a gargle for gum disease and sore throat.

Can I make tea from comfrey leaves?


Place chopped comfrey leaves at the bottom of a bucket. Weigh down with a brick, fill bucket with water, and cover for three weeks before diluting, one part ‘tea’ to 10 parts comfrey

. Slugs stay well away after smelling this brew.

Does comfrey have B12?

Comfrey is also rich in many nutrients including protein, antioxidant vitamins, and

vitamin B12

(Rode, 2002).

What is the difference between comfrey root and comfrey leaf?

Comfrey is even believed to help decrease inflammation of tendon sheaths (Tilgner, 2018), supporting its use for joint sprains. While both comfrey leaf and root are well known for their mucilage content and associated demulcent action,

the root is more demulcent than the leaf

.

Is comfrey and Boneset the same thing?

Bein originally meant bone, thus comfrey is an agent that makes bones grow together.

Comfrey has also been known as boneset

, knitbone, black wort, wall wort, and slippery root.

What are signs that your liver is struggling?

  • Fatigue and tiredness. …
  • Nausea (feeling sick). …
  • Pale stools. …
  • Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice). …
  • Spider naevi (small spider-shaped arteries that appear in clusters on the skin). …
  • Bruising easily. …
  • Reddened palms (palmar erythema). …
  • Dark urine.

How can I repair my liver naturally?

What liver toxicity feels like?

What vitamins are hard on your liver?

Avoid certain supplements:

Excess iron, niacin, and vitamin A

(the retinol form, not beta carotene) tend to stress an unhealthy liver. Check your multi and B-complex for these ingredients. 8.

Can herbs damage liver?

In fact,

herbal medicines have been associated with liver damage and even death

. Both singular herbs and herbal mixtures have the potential to cause serious damage to your liver ( 62 ).

What vitamins supplements can damage the liver?

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) runs the Office of Dietary Supplements, which lists

Vitamin C, folate, and calcium

as just a few examples of nutrients that are commonly thought of as healthy that can be very damaging to the liver if consumed in excessive quantities.

Is comfrey good for wrinkles?

Is comfrey good for back pain?

The Verdict:

Several scientific studies suggest comfrey is effective for back pain

, ankle sprains and knee osteoarthritis. One study even found it hastened healing of abrasions.

Is comfrey good for varicose veins?


Comfrey was rated least effective for haemorrhoids, varicose veins

and boils and was considered to carry the greatest risk when prescribed for ulcers, wounds and boils. Conclusion: Practitioner experience suggests that comfrey can be used safely and effectively externally for certain indications.

Should I plant comfrey in my garden?

Ecological Benefits of Growing Comfrey


Provides habitat for beneficial insects under huge leaves, which helps to keep the garden pest-free

. Fertilizes with nutrient-rich mulch. Use the fast-growing leaves as a fertilizing green mulch or green manure.

What is the difference between comfrey and Russian comfrey?

Is comfrey toxic to dogs?

The Merck Veterinary Manual lists comfrey as an especially risky herb because of its pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which have been linked to liver damage. The alkaloids are actually produced by the herb to fend off bugs, but

the insecticide can be harmful to a dog

.

Is comfrey good for inflammation?

Can I drink comfrey tea?

How do you use comfrey for bones?

Pour 2 quarts of nearly boiling water over the comfrey leaves, cover with a plate and let steep for 15 minutes. 3. Either strain the tea or simply place the broken bone into the bowl and let soak for 20 minutes.

Is comfrey good for nerve pain?

Is comfrey the same as borage?

Though they are members of the same plant family (Boraginaceae), perennial comfrey (​Symphytum officinale​, USDA zones 4-8) and annual borage (​Borago officinalis​) are

two different plants

. These cousins both boast dark green foliage and fuzzy leaves.

How long does comfrey take to work?

Press the leaves down firmly so they are covered with water, and cover the container. After

4-6 weeks

a noxious (very) smelly brown liquid is ready for use. There is no need to dilute. Strain off the sludge at the bottom, and put it on the compost heap.

How often use comfrey tea?

Apply comfrey tea as a side-dressing or foliar spray; comfrey tea is potent so let a little go a long way. Use comfrey tea as a side dressing

every 10 to 14 days from flower set through the development of fruits

. As a foliar spray, quit applying comfrey tea at least a month before harvest.

Is comfrey good for arthritis pain?

Comfrey herb has also been shown to be efficacious in wound healing.

Comfrey root has also proven to be efficacious in activated osteoarthritis

, and equivalent or more efficacious in distortions compared with topical diclofenac.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.