HERB - Re: Comfrey toxicity

[Jenne Heise]

On Fri, 29 Jan 1999, M&L Romanowski wrote:
> > Comfrey:
> > Contraindications:
> > 1) Internal Use due to its hepatotoxic effects and carcinogenic activity
> > of its pyrrolizidin alkaloids.
> > 2) on broken skin to avoid excessive percutaneous absorption of toxic
> > alkaloids.
> > In plain English, Comfrey is known to cause liver damage and its
> > chemicals are known to cause cancer when used either internally as in a
> > tea or externally on the skin through absorption.  Sounds like reason
> > enough to avoid comfrey.

Does anyone have the research citations on the external application of
comfrey and side effects thereof? I've never come across this warning
before, and I know that medical science sometimes extrapolates side
effects based on chemical composition if the product or treatment isn't
AMA-standard. 

On the other hand, I'm wondering where the information for some of the
herbal wonder-tonics is coming from too, like St. John's wort and
echinacea, which seem to have sprung into use out of nowhere in the last
15 years...


Jadwiga Zajaczkowa (Shire of Eisental; HERMS Cyclonus), mka Jennifer Heise	
jenne at tulgey.browser.net

"Healing the universe is an inside job." 


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