It grows to heights of 50 to 150 cm and has long, hairy lanceolate leaves and bell-shaped, red-violet or yellowish flowers. ![]() Scientific FamilyĬomfrey is a perennial plant found in moist grasslands in western Asia, as well as in North America. Comfrey is generally considered unsafe, with numerous toxicological effects in animals and humans. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released an advisory in July 2001 recommending that comfrey products be removed from the market because of cases of hepatic veno-occlusive disease. Infants are more susceptible to pyrrolizidine-related, veno-occlusive disease therefore, the use of comfrey in this population is contraindicated. Case reports show hepatic veno-occlusive disease and pulmonary hypertension related to comfrey use. Neither internal nor extensive topical use of comfrey is recommended because of numerous reports of liver toxicity (see Toxicology). Animal experiments have detected alkaloids in breast milk. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids have abortifacient effects and increase the risk of fatal hepatic veno-occlusive disease. Pregnancy/LactationĬontraindicated because of documented adverse effects. Use is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation, in infants, and in patients with liver or kidney disease. Patients with hypersensitivity or allergic reactions to the plant should avoid external use. ContraindicationsĬomfrey is not recommended for internal use because of the hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid content. Limited trials have evaluated the efficacy of alkaloid-free preparations for topical use however, these studies do not report on hepatic laboratory indices of study participants. Additionally, because externally applied alkaloids are well absorbed and detected in the urine, topical use of comfrey should not exceed an alkaloid exposure of 100 mcg/day. Oral use of comfrey is not supported because of potential hepatotoxicity. Although not examined in clinical trials, comfrey may possess antifungal and anticancer activity. A limited number of clinical trials show short-term efficacy of topically applied, alkaloid-free comfrey preparations in skin abrasions and inflammatory conditions. ![]() Therapeutic use of comfrey is limited because of its toxicity. tuberosum L., Symphytum officinale L., Symphytum x uplandicum NymanĬommon Name(s): Blackwort, Bruisewort, Comfrey, Knitbone, Radix consolidate, Russian comfrey, Slippery root, Symphyti radix
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