Just as the eyes are windows into the soul, urine is a window into the body. It can reveal whether you're dehydrated, for instance, a common health issue during these sweaty summer months. Healthy urine consists of yellow waste products that are dissolved in water.
Comfrey ointments have been used to heal bruises as well as pulled muscles and ligaments, fractures, sprains, strains, and osteoarthritis. In the past, comfrey was also used to treat stomach problems. However, it has toxic substances called pyrrolizidine alkaloids that damage the liver and can lead to death. Comfrey is no longer sold in the U.S., except in creams or ointments. The United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Germany also have banned the sale of oral products containing comfrey.
1,2-dehydro pyrrolizidine ester alkaloids (PA) are toxic for human and livestock. The PAs undergo a metabolic toxication process in the liver which is the first target organ for PA poisoning. World-wide many episodes of PA intoxications have been reported involving humans as well as ruminants. This intoxication is not only related to the amount and duration of the exposure to PAs but also to species, age and gender. Besides the metabolic toxification, detoxication processes are also important.