Do you drink this tea? This can be a direct path to serious liver damage
Poles eagerly reach for various types of teas based on herbs and medicinal plants. However, you should be very careful when doing so. Some of the infusions have a toxic effect on the body.
In 2001, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning regarding the oral consumption of comfrey. Even though more than twenty years have passed since then, in many countries you can still buy tea based on this plant. This happens, among others, in Poland. See the dangers of drinking comfrey infusion.
Why is comfrey tea harmful?
Comfrey, also called comfrey or “living gnat”, is a medicinal plant from the borage family. It looks a bit like a nettle. It has an angular stem up to 150 centimeters long and large lanceolate leaves. It blooms from May to August. Its flowers are purple-violet or white in color.
Medicinal comfrey contains, among others, mucous compounds, tannins, sugar compounds, starch, allantoin, essential oils and amino acids. It also contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids. These are dangerous substances that have a toxic effect on the body. They lead to liver damage. They also increase the risk of various types of cancer. Therefore, it should not be eaten. You should not drink teas prepared from the plant. Suitable for external use only (on the skin).
What are the benefits of external use of comfrey?
Comfrey, when used externally, has a positive effect on the skin. Accelerates the process of regeneration of damaged wound healing tissues. It has analgesic and astringent properties. Reduces ailments occurring in the course of various types of injuries and contusions. Supports the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. It alleviates the symptoms of burns, frostbite and bedsores.
