Butterbur Herb Profile

Butterbur is also known as Petasites vulgaris, bog rhubarb, blatterdock, butterdock.

Composition

The rhizome (or root) is used, though due to toxic alkaloids present in the rhizome, only
standardized, commercial preparations should be used.

Description and History

Butterbur has a long history of use in folk medicine, though like many folk remedies its effectiveness is not supported for all conditions for which it has been used. Standardized extracts (such as Ze 339) are used to treat allergic rhinitis and to prevent migraines.

Migraines

A standardized butterbur product has been used effectively in several studies to prevent
migraine headaches in both adults and children. The key to efficacy is consistency with its use as a preventive, with benefits reflecting a decrease in total migraines by 50% after consistent use.

Allergies

A specific butterbur extract (Ze339) has been used in multiple clinical studies effectively for
the treatment of allergies and found to be as effective as popular pharmaceutical solutions such as Zyrtec (Schapowal, 2004). These supplements were standardized to 8mg of petasin per tablet, 3x per day.

Somatoform disorders

These are psychiatric disorders that result in physical pain, and butterbur may help to relief it. In a clinical trial of 182 patients, a blend featuring butterbur extract standardized was issued to the volunteers. Measured factors included depression and anxiety, and the extract was
effective as a safe, short term treatment after 2 weeks of treatment.

Preparations

Butterbur is effective in a standardized preparation, typically a capsule or tablet.