Comfrey & the PA Puzzle

This detailed short course includes:

• The Comfrey Chronicles - A five-page handout exploring the different types of Comfrey, Common Comfrey vs. Russian Comfrey, & their PA content
• Comfrey Constituents - A five-page handout on the synergistic array of polyphenols and other constituents in Comfrey, and how they might modify the effects of the pyrrolizidine alkaloids
• Introduction to PA - A nine-page handout on the distribution, solubility, structures, functions, mechanisms of action, etc. of the subclasses of PA. Includes a useful chart on the different types, their relative potential toxicities, and the plants in which they occur
• Comfrey's PA - A seven-page handout on the particular types of PA in Comfrey, how they are distributed by plant part, the potential attenuating synergists, how to influence the body's PA metabolism, traditional use & dosages, and my own Comfrey experiences
• All handouts are extensively linked to vetted resources and relevant published studies
• A PowerPoint deck with illustrations of Comfrey and its constituents, including different types of PA
• A fun self-assessment quiz to reinforce the material - take it as many times as you want to help you learn
• Two 2-hour recorded Q&A webinars with Lisa Ganora & Kat Martello.
• High-quality video & audio recordings of the Q&A webinars
• Unlimited access to all the class materials & downloads to keep forever!

Comfrey & the PA Puzzle is designed to provide experienced herbalists, teachers, healthcare professionals, pharmacists, and the phytochemically curious with a comprehensive understanding of PA in Western herbs. This detailed class covers their occurrence, structures, solubility, properties, metabolism, toxicology, and safety.

Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of the different kinds of PA, the spectrum of potential toxicity, and the mechanisms that can (with excess exposure) manifest liver disease (HSOS / HVOD) - along with protective strategies.

We'll look at PA in general, and zoom in on the particular kinds found in Comfrey. We'll also examine the role of Comfrey's polyphenols as attenuating synergists - constituents which can alter the body's metabolism of PA. And we'll share case reports and our decades of hands-on experience with this time-honored but currently questioned medicinal herb!

Whether you use Comfrey, or are just considering it, this course will give you the tools to make a rational risk/benefit analysis of working with this intriguing traditional herb. We'll also discuss contraindications and substitutes for those who don't want to use Comfrey.

All this for only $47 USD - Why? We're on a mission to clear up the confusion surrounding this time-honored medicinal plant with this deeply researched, thoughtfully crafted short course that will help you understand the subtleties of The PA Puzzle and empower you to make a well balanced and rational evaluation of Comfrey's benefits and potential risks.

In the recorded webinar that goes with Comfrey & the PA Puzzle, we also discuss some of the therapeutic benefits of Comfrey, traditional dosing, older material about Comfrey including how Dr. Lawrence D. Hills (founder of the Henry Doubleday Association) cultivated, studied, and promoted "Russian Comfrey" as a high-protein crop for sileage, fodder, and fertilizer in the UK after WW2. And we look at how the botanical physicians of the 1800s (as well as village herbalists and midwives) used the herb.

We also consider strategies for minimizing the risk of Comfrey's PA content by using traditional dosage and formulation practices, and by supporting the body's PA metabolism (via glutathione conjugation) with supplements, phytochemicals, herbs and foods. By the end of this course, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to make a rational risk/benefit analysis of using Comfrey, and to offer professional safety advice to patients, clients, and students.

Note: Each country has its own regulations regarding the levels of PA allowable in foods, beverages, and botanical products. Many of these regulations are based on the potential toxicity of the most problematic PA, riddelliine. Although Comfrey does not contain riddelliine and its structural kin (the macrocyclic diesters), regulatory authorities widely consider the herb to be contraindicated for internal use (especially during pregnancy and lactation). However, patterns of traditional use continue throughout many parts of the world, and empirical evidence can contradict the regulatory perspectives.

Disclaimer: This material is intended exclusively for educational purposes and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult your licensed health care provider for individual guidance.