Herbs That Cause Liver Damage

You might think that because herbs are natural, they have no adverse side effects. This is not necessarily true. Some herbs may help heal your liver, but others can damage the liver, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Herbal Toxicity

• Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are found in of some herbs, and they are toxic to the liver. These alkaloids can cause a severe type of liver disease that blocks off the blood supply, according to liver disease.com. Some herbs that contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids are borage, groomwell, coltsfoot and liferoot, according to the Merck Manual.

Long-Term Effects

• You can take herbs for a long time before liver damage occurs. Be careful when taking herbs with prescription medications because the two can interact and cause serious side effects, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Chaparral and Jin Bu Huan

• Chaparral is promoted as an anti-aging herb, but it can cause jaundice and liver damage. In one reported case, a patient who took it needed a liver transplant. Jin bu huan is typically used as an herbal sedative, but it can cause hepatitis, according to liver disease.com.

Comfrey and Cascara

• Comfrey is often used to relieve joint pain and stomachaches. This herb, which also contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, can cause liver damage, according to liver disease.com. Cascara sagrada is used as a laxative, and it can be toxic to your liver.

Other Dangerous Herbs

• Black cohosh, green tea leaf, kava, ma huang, pennyroyal, soy phytoestrogens, and valerian are herbs that can cause liver damage, according to liver disease.com.