Comfrey KUM-free

WARNING: Comfrey is not safe for anyone when taken by mouth. It contains chemicals that can cause severe liver damage, cancer, and even death. In July 2001, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended that comfrey products taken by mouth be removed from the market because they can cause serious liver problems.

What are other names for this remedy?

Type of medicine: natural remedy

Scientific and common names: Symphytum officinale, Symphytum radix, Consolidae radix, comfrey, Russian comfrey, ass ear, black root, gum plant, healing herb, knitback, salsify, slippery root, wallwort, knitbone, bruisewort, blackwort

What is comfrey?

Comfrey is a plant that can grow in almost any soil condition but prefers to grow in sunny damp grassy locations. This herb grows up to 3 feet high. The leaf, root, and rootlike stem (rhizome) are used to make medicine.

What is it used for?

This remedy has been used to treat several conditions. Studies in humans or animals have not proved that this remedy is safe or effective for all uses. Before using this remedy for a serious condition, you should talk with your healthcare provider. There may be other uses that are not listed here.

Comfrey has been used on the skin to treat bruises, sprains, arthritis, gout, and pulled muscles and ligaments.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve uses for natural remedies. The FDA does not inspect or regulate natural remedies the way they do prescription medicines.

How is it taken?

Comfrey can be used on the skin as a poultice, ointment, lotion, or wash. Do not use comfrey to treat open wounds of any type.

Comfrey should never be taken by mouth.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

Comfrey seems to be safe for most people when applied to unbroken skin for less than 10 days in small amounts. Do not use more than 4 to 6 weeks in a year. Using high doses or using for a long time increases your risk of serious side effects.

Comfrey is not safe for anyone when taken by mouth. It contains chemicals that can cause liver damage and cancer.

Do not use comfrey if you:

• have any open wounds
• have alcoholism, liver disease, or cancer

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this remedy.

Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about any natural remedy that you are using or thinking about using. If your provider does not tell you how to take it, follow the directions that come with the package. Do not take more or take it longer than recommended. Ask about anything you do not understand. Remember:

• Natural remedies are not always safe.
• You should not take them if you are pregnant or breast-feeding without your healthcare provider's approval. They should not be taken by infants, children, or older adults without your provider's approval.
• They affect your body and may interact with prescription medicines that you take.
• Natural remedies are not standardized and may be contaminated. They may have different strengths and effects.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its desirable effects, this remedy may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the remedy. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Loss of appetite, unusual tiredness, severe itching, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, light-colored stools, abdominal swelling, severe diarrhea.

Other: mild skin redness.

What products might interact with this remedy?

When you take this remedy with other medicines, it can change the way the remedy or the medicines work. Vitamins and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Before taking this remedy, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• acetaminophen (Tylenol) and products that contain acetaminophen
• amiodarone (Cordarone)
• antibiotics such as erythromycin (Ery-Tabs, E.E.S.), isoniazid, rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin)
• antifungal medicines such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), and ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• antiseizure medicines such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), and primidone (Mysoline)
• cholesterol-lowering medicines (statins) such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), rosuvastatin (Crestor), and simvastatin (Zocor)
• natural remedies such as agrimony, borage oil, chaparral, coltsfoot, eucalyptus, garlic, kava, ragwort, and St. John's wort
• methotrexate (Rheumatrex)
• methyldopa

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

Keep all natural remedies and medicines out of the reach of children.

This advisory includes select information only. The information was obtained from scientific journals, study reports, and other documents. The author and publisher make no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the information. The advisory may not include all side effects associated with a remedy or interactions with other medicines. Nothing herein shall constitute a recommendation for the use of any remedy. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.