Radio 4, comfrey and deaths

[Guest guest]

Dear all,

I was listening to radio 4 at the weekend; they were talking about the new

legislation and interviewing a pharmaceutical representative and a Chinese

herbalist (please forgive the woolly details; I caught the interview by accident

and it's only over the last few days that I have found myself thinking more

about it). The pharmaceutacal representative gave comfrey as an example of a

dangerous herb, saying that every year people die from taking it (he didn't

specify leaf or root). I know there have been some isolated cases where PAs were

held to blame, for instance the ones that Bergner discusses on his site,

but I was not aware of regular, annual deaths that have been linked specifically

to comfrey. I have been doing a search and so far not found much other than a

suggestion that comfrey may be an undiagnosed cause of illness and death through

liver complications in some countries where comfrey is regularly taken. Does

anyone have any more information?

I listen to radio 4 all day, so cannot remember the exact programme the

interview was on.

WIth thanks,

Kate