" ...comfrey listed - I cannot feel comfortable with this plant or others that are now known to contain toxic pryrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). Toxic PAs cause cumulative veno-occlusive liver disease... Consequently, the Canadian government does not allow comfrey in foods." I just came back from seeing a new mother with a two day old baby. She has a very sore nipple on the left breast. The nipple is creased when the baby comes off, there is a scab in the center and a bruised area on the areola. The baby seems to be sucking very strongly and clenching her jaw somewhat. We discussed positioning and using purified lanolin as a dressing. The mom told me that her midwife (non-medicated home birth) suggested that she to put comfrey on her nipples to help them heal. In view of the above I am very nervous about her continuing to do so. I did share this information with her but I would like to know if anyone has more specific information about the dangers of topical comfrey. There is nothing else in the archives. I could also use some ideas about getting the baby to unclench her jaw. TIA Sarah Sarah Friend Barnett, LLLL, IBCLC Bronx (New York City), NY [log in to unmask]