Butterbur

Species Name: petasites vulgaris.

Other Names Blessed Thistle is known by: Langwort, Umbrella Plant, Bog Rhubarb, Flapperdock, Blatterdock, Capdockin, Bogshorns, and Butter-Dock.

The part of Butterbur that is used is the root. It has shown tremendous success in alleviating migraine pain.

What is Butterbur? The Butterbur, a plant nearly allied to the Coltsfoot - being the Tussilago petasites of Linnaeus - is found in wet ground, low lying, marshy meadows and by riversides. 

It is believed to have gotten its common name, because the large leaves were used in which to wrap and store butter.

Home Remedies using Butterbur:

Benefits of Butterbur:

Butterbur root is medicinally utilized as a heart stimulant, acting both as a cardiac tonic and also as a diuretic. It has been in use as a remedy in fevers, asthma, colds and urinary complaints, a decoction being taken warm in wine glassful doses, frequently repeated.

Both Butterbur and Coltsfoot are specific homoeopathic remedies for severe and obstinate neuralgia in the small of the back and the loins, a medicinal tincture being prepared in each case.

Butterbur was even believed to have been a cure and preventive for the plague.

The main active constituents in Butterbur are antispasmodic petasin and anti-inflammatory Isopetasin.

Uses of Butterbur:

Butterbur’s antispasmodic action makes it a potentially useful herb for headaches and migraines. Two double-blind, placebo controlled clinical studies using 50 mg of Petasites extract twice daily demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing the frequency of migraines.

Butterbur has also been used in connection with menstrual cramps, irritable bladder, colic, toothache, and many other aches and pains.

For centuries Butterbur has been used to help bronchial asthma and whooping cough, and as a mucus-reducing cough remedy.

A Polish clinical study in 1998 found that Butterbur treatments exhibited a decrease in bronchial reactivity, indicating Petasites as helpful in improving lung ventilation.

Butterbur's anti-inflammatory action makes it a potential natural antihistamine, for use during the hay fever season from spring to late autumn.

The general dosage of butterbur is 50 mg twice daily. It is available in capsules and extracts.

Side Effects of Butterbur:

While no side effects have been noted, butterbur contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, compounds that are toxic to the liver and potentially carcinogenic.

However, certain processing techniques are used to remove these compounds. Only butterbur extracts that have been processed to remove pyrrolizidine alkaloids should be used.