Drinkers of herbal tea warned

Tag: herbal plant

The health department warned consumers on Tuesday against a herbal tea made of a plant called comfrey which can cause cancer or chronic liver disorders.

"It has come to the attention of the department of health that a herbal plant called comfrey is still being offered to the public as herbal tea or as an ingredient in foodstuffs, five years after the sale of this substance was banned," the health ministry said in a statement. "They have been picked up at flea markets and herbal shops," added spokesperson Charity Bengu.

Regulations prohibiting the sale of comfrey or food containing comfrey came into effect in October 2003. "Comfrey contains a compound Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (PA). Consumption of contaminated grain or the use of PA-containing plants as herbal medicines, beverages, or food by man, may cause acute or chronic disease.

"The principal target organ is the liver, which could result in chronic liver disorders and/or cancer in humans," the department said. The Consumer Goods Council of South Africa had been alerted to the fact that some retailers were selling the product. Anyone selling, manufacturing or importing foodstuff containing comfrey faced a fine or six months in jail on a first conviction. A second conviction could end in a year in prison, while a third conviction could mean two years behind bars.