To clear up some misconceptions: First, comfrey does not have proven efficacy against tooth decay, either as a preventative or to reverse decay that's already underway. Safety as a mouth rinse is probably not a major concern apart from possible local irritation, if one is careful not to swallow any. Many responsible herbalists recommend against any internal use of comfrey because of the risk of pyrrolizidine alkaloid toxicity, implicated in some cases of acute liver failure and a concern for possible carcinogenicity. Oral formulations are banned in most countries for this reason. Young children are especially susceptible to toxicity from comfrey (even a few days of taking comfrey internally can be fatal). Contrary to what's been stated, acute liver failure is not a significant consideration when it comes to use of NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Tylenol (acetominophen, which can be hepatotoxic) is not an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) like aspirin or Motrin. Tylenol is not an anti-inflammatory agent - it works by a different mechanism than NSAIDS to reduce pain and fever. Used in proper dosage and not combined with other things that can damage the liver (i.e alcohol) it is a generally safe as well as effective drug. The real problem is when people take too much, which may happen when they combine or otherwise overdose on over-the-counter cold meds. The big difference between Tylenol and comfrey is that Tylenol is a proven effective drug. Comfrey may have limited value in topical pain control (when applied for limited periods on unbroken skin), but in general the claims made for it have not been backed by quality studies (something to consider when weighing a decision whether to ingest it). You cannot count on drying to significantly reduce the harmful alkaloids. Unfortunately, you also can't count on comfrey sellers to be knowledgeable and upfront about the composition of their products in our current, largely unregulated supplement market. I rarely take acetominophen, but feel a lot more confident about its safety than I do comfrey. And based on what we've seen already, if Americans began to ingest comfrey as commonly as they do acetominophen, it's extremely likely that comfrey would quickly pass acetominophen as the leading cause of acute liver failure in the U.S.

Hello ladies and happy every Holiday I missed. To those of you who do know me, I am back and mentally back on track (I think). To those of you who don't, well I was I am a member, love everyone here. Went away to do some great mission work and had some very tragic things happen. Many hours of therapy later, and actually returning to the Dominican I think I have healed, I am not bitter, sad, or frightened to leave my house any more. I am able to talk about it and I feel that I can share with postive feelings now. But enough of that. Am I to late for April? Please tell me that I can play in April? Max is 4 and we just looked at Co-op preschool. HE is a mama's boy and didn't want to go to big boy school yet. Maryanne~ I have a box for you that I need to send, but um lost your address.. So Merry Christmas when it comes. Ahh. I just don't know what to say or who to say it to because I am scared I will leave someone out. I tried to read as many posts as my brain can handle, but I am sure that I will need some help. Babies and ornaments, tornados and ahhh.. I am not in Kansas anymore. Please feel free to email me with any personals that you'd love to share. I apologize for being gone so long. If there is anything that you want to know email me. If I need to re-join let me know if there is room. Mayanne_ my big sis.. I hope all is well, miss you and thanks for all your support thru this, even though I was a bad lil sis and became an introvert. But guess what? I am back and better. Missed you all Laura.... beans

"Spirit in The Sky" --- on my top ten. great song! what about "I'm a joker, I'm a smoker, I'm a midnight toker....get my lovin on the run............" Do any of you remeber "Red Rubber Ball"? And "Brandy" and "Me and you and a dog named Boo.." and "Sugar.....ah honey , honey, you are my......." This is a classic. Who sang it? And "Daydream Believer" I feel so lucky to have grown up with these songs. And I'm so lucky that we didn't have computers growing up. I grew up in The Bronx. If we had computers, I don't think we would have watched "The Three Stooges" when we got home from school. I don't think we would have jumped rope. It took us about a week to learn "double dutch" -- we were very good. Of course, we had to have the right girls from the "block" to do this. lol I don't think we would have played hopscotch, or played "red rover, red rover, let ?? come over". We roller skated, we played handball, we had the "Klick Klacks" (someone here has to remember the klick klacks). And hula hoop. And hopscotch. . I'll never forget the fort we built. It was the best fort in the "hood". Then we had to fight off all the kids on the block from destroying our fort. It was an awesome chilhood.

Vaporvac & Carol - Thanks! Yes, I'd love to keep it - wasn't very fond of it the first year but it has been fantastic this year. The blooms don't last long but rebloom is great and the fragrance wafts through the garden. Bees love it, too. I had thought of putting Princess Anne in front of it (was sent this one incorrectly this year, too - grrrr) but I'm not crazy about it - maybe with time as was the case w/ Corvedale ;) However, Vaporvac, you made me think of Tranquillity and Lichfield Angel - both I have seen and like, maybe Tranquillity a bit more because I can detect and like the fragrance more. I'll try one of these out - thanks again!