Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are plant compounds, found in borage, comfrey and some herbal teas, that can damage the liver and may be carcinogenic. The risk rises with cumulative dose. For toddler eczema they matter because Borage Oil is sold as a GLA supplement. MSKCC advises using only borage oil certified free of unsaturated PAs, while ConsumerLab says PAs do not pass into the seed oil. In the US, PA-containing supplements are treated as adulterated, and the UK Food Standards Agency advises avoiding borage leaf teas (ConsumerLab).

Connections

• Borage Oil — possible hepatotoxic contaminant; certify PA-free, source: MSKCC; ConsumerLab