biodiverseed:This article (in Danish, sorry) is telling me that both borage and comfrey are carcinog
biodiverseed:This article (in Danish, sorry) is telling me that both borage and comfrey are carcinogenic in chronic doses.They both contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which can be toxic to the liver.I typically use them in very small quantities, and this is definitely a case of “the dose makes the poison,” but still: the more you know!YEP! Comfrey is def hepatotoxic when taken orally. Most herbalists prefer to use it topically, although the alkaloids are well absorbed through the skin. The pyrrolizidine alkaloids can act as an abortifacient and have been detected in mammalian breast milk, so it’s contraindicated in pregnant or lactating mothers, in addition to anyone who might have renal and hepatic issues. It’s really not a plant to F around with, despite its popularity with herbalists.My BFF follows a religious tradition where they actually drink comfrey as part of a ritual to Cerridwen, I’ve been trying to talk her out of it forever.Borage Seed Oil is very popular among some herbalists, and your source is correct, it is also linked to a lot of health issues, including causing congenital abnormalities and premature labor.There’s a big difference between adding a few flowers to your salad and taking a concentrated oil though, once again the poison is in the dose. -- source link
#herbalism#toxicity#comfrey#borage