Can You Take Comfrey and Fo-Ti (He Shou Wu) Together?

Use extra care with this pair

The short answer

Comfrey's pyrrolizidine alkaloids and Fo-Ti's anthraquinones both cause liver damage through different mechanisms. Combined use exposes the liver to multiple hepatotoxic compounds simultaneously.

How to arrange timing

Avoid this combination. Comfrey is banned for oral use in several countries. If using Fo-Ti, do not add other hepatotoxic herbs.

Reference

Reference noted for this combination: Teschke R. et al., Ann Hepatol 2012; Lei X et al., J Ethnopharmacol 2015; LiverTox (NIH/NLM)

Important context

Whether supplements suit you together also depends on dose, product formulation, health conditions, and medication use. Ask a doctor or pharmacist first if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a chronic condition.