Butterbur: the next time you sneeze, wheeze or squeeze your temple, reach for this multipurpose root

WHAT IT DOES BEST: Butterbur is primarily used to treat hay fever and migraine headaches, and is also increasingly used to soothe symptoms of asthma. Research indicates that butterbur has antispasmodic (smooth-muscle relaxing), antihistamine, and anti-inflammatory effects.

THE BACKGROUND: Butterbur has been used for centuries medicinally throughout Europe, some parts of Asia and North America to treat fevers, plague, chronic cough and asthma, and to promote wound healing.

RECENT FINDINGS:

hay fever: Butterbur extract was found to be as effective at reducing hay fever symptoms as the antihistamine medication cetirizine (brand name, Zyrtec), but without the drug's drowsy side effect, according to a two-week human study involving 125 patients published in a 2002 issue of the British Medical Journal. Also, butterbur extract was found to be as effective as fexofenadine (Allegra) for treating year-round hay fever in two studies: a small human study published in the April 2004 issue of Clinical and Experimental Allergy: Journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology, and a large study published in the June 2005 issue of Phytotherapy Research. However, the July 2004 issue of Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology reported that a smaller human study on intermittent hay fever found butterbur to be no more effective than a placebo in treating grass pollen allergies.

migraine headaches: Research indicates butterbur extract significantly reduces the frequency of migraines. One study, published in the March 2005 issue of Headache, reviewed the effects in children and adolescents using 50-150mg of butterbur extract. Migraine frequency was reduced by at least half in 77 percent of the participants. Also, in a study published in the December 2004 issue of Neurology, adults given 75mg twice daily reported a 48 percent reduction in migraine frequency, while those given 50mg twice daily reported a 36 percent reduction.

asthma: Preliminary human studies suggest butterbur may reduce the severity of asthma symptoms. In the March 2004 issue of Alternative Medicine Review, researchers reported that the herb reduced the number, severity and duration of asthma attacks in 64 adults and 16 children. Also over 40 percent of participants taking asthma medication were able to lower their dose by the study's end.

WHAT'S THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT?.

Petasin and isopetasin, two compounds that have anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS:

Butterbur contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA), plant toxins that may cause liver damage and increase the risk for liver cancer. Preparations used in research and on the market remove these alkaloids to below detectable limits. Mild gastrointestinal symptoms have been reported, primarily burping.

IS IT SAFE TO TAKE WHILE PREGNANT OR NURSING?

Not recommended. Safety in pregnancy has not been established.

ARE THERE ANY DRUG INTERACTIONS? None known at time of printing.

WHICH TYPE AND HOW MUCH?

A 50-75mg butterbur (Petasites hybridus) root extract standardized to contain 7.5mg petasins (petasin and isopetasin), and free of PA, may be taken twice daily with meals, or as directed.

AKA: Petasites hybridus, butterdock, blatterdock, bog rhubarb

PART USED: Root

SOURCE NATURALS UROVEX BUTTERBUR EXTRACT softgels

PLANETARY HERBALS UROVEX BUTTERBUR EXTRACT softgels

SOLARAY BUTTERBUR EXTRACT vegcaps

[ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED]

Amber Ackerson, ND

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