Comfrey Oral: Side Effects and Complications

According to WebMD.com, comfrey is a plant commonly used orally to treat ulcers, heavy menstrual periods, ulcers, bronchitis, cancer and chest pain, despite little proof of its efficacy. Comfrey is also used topically to treat bruises, joint inflammation and wounds. This article will cover the medicinal preparation comfrey oral and its possible side effects and complications.

Why Comfrey Oral is Dangerous

Orally, comfrey is consumed by brewing the plant into a tea or adding its extracted form into a supplement. Unfortunately, researchers believe comfrey contains potentially dangerous chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are potentially toxic when ingested. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned oral comfrey supplements from commercial sale, due to its serious, and sometimes deadly, side effects and interactions.

Side Effects of Comfrey Oral

Comfrey oral contains numerous side effects. These side effects include:

- Nausea

- Vomiting

- Abdominal pain

- Sudden or unusual fatigue

- Appetite loss (anorexia)

- Yellowish skin or eyes

- Dark-colored urine

- Clay-colored stools

Comfrey oral has been associated with severe liver damage, which can lead to death. The symptoms above may indicate the toxins in comfrey have already damaged the liver. If you experience any of the above side effects, seek medical attention immediately and discontinue use.

Complications of Comfrey Oral

The dangerous toxins in comfrey oral can cause some serious, and often fatal, complications, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMM). These complications include:

- Hepatic veno-occlusive disease, a condition that blocks some of the veins located in the liver

- Renal (kidney) failure

- Liver failure

- Liver disease

- Severe liver poisoning

- Death

Because the risk for these complications are high, health professionals do not recommend taking comfrey oral for more than four to six weeks a year. People with liver disease, a history of alcoholism, cancer or previous liver or kidney problems are advised not to take comfrey oral because it can potentiate these problems.

Again, the FDA has not approved comfrey due to its potential side effects and complications. Unless you are medically advised to do so, health professionals do not recommend taking comfrey oral.

Note: The information provided in this article does not constitute medical advice from a licensed medical professional. It is not a recommendation for any treatment, supplement or drug. Please contact your local healthcare provider for medical advice regarding this plant.

Sources:

"Comfrey Oral" (WebMD.com)
"Comfrey" (UMM.EDU)