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Herbs & Supplements
Knitback
Scientific Name: Comfrey
Other Names: Ass Ear, Black Root, Blackwort, Bruisewort, Common Comfrey, Consolidae Radix, Consound, Gum Plant, Healing Herb, Knitbone, Salsify, Slippery Root, Symphytum Radix, Symphytum officinale, Wallwort
What side effects should I watch for?
Major Side Effects
When they are taken orally, the pyrrolizidine alkaloids in comfrey may be converted to toxic chemicals that have been shown to cause liver damage, primarily due to gradual blockage of blood vessels in the liver. In laboratory and farm animals, eating comfrey has resulted in liver cancer. Comfrey should never be taken by mouth.
Liver damage can take years to develop and it may not have obvious signs. A doctor should be consulted immediately if an individual who is using comfrey experiences:
- Excessive fatigue
- Extreme widespread itchiness
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Pain or swelling in the upper right part of the abdomen
- Yellowing of the skin or the white parts of the eyes
Less Severe Side Effects
People who have used topical comfrey for long periods of time or in high amounts have reported:
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Unusual tiredness
Handling or coming in contact with the fuzzy leaves of the comfrey plant can cause skin irritation for some people.
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Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.
In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.
This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.
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What side effects should I watch for? 
