Plant Profile

Butterbur

Compiled by the Omnia Sana editorial team from the plant database ·Last updated August 15, 2026

Petasites hybridus

Family: Asteraceae · Parts used: Root, rhizome and leaf (standardised PA-free extract) · Also known as: Bog rhubarb, Pestilence wort, Umbrella plant

Common names in 25 European languages →

The complete database record: 2 documented constituents, 4 pharmacological actions, 9 traditional / indicated uses, with 15 cited sources.

Botanical Description

Robust, rhizomatous perennial herb (Asteraceae) that flowers before the leaves emerge: thick, pinkish, scaly flower spikes push up from the ground in early spring, followed by enormous rounded to heart-shaped leaves - up to about 1 m across at maturity - on stout stalks, giving rise to the common name 'umbrella plant'.^[2]

Height: Flower spikes low in early spring; leaves later up to ~1 m across

Habit: Robust, rhizomatous, colony-forming perennial herb

Leaves: Enormous, rounded to heart-shaped, up to ~1 m across, on stout stalks

Flowers: Thick, pinkish, scaly flower spikes, appearing before the leaves

Stem: Thick underground rhizome; scaly flowering stalks in early spring

Root: Thick, spreading rhizome

Fruit: Small ribbed achenes with a pappus (typical Asteraceae)

Flowering Period: February-April, before the leaves emerge

Habitat & Distribution

Native to damp, marshy ground across Europe and western Asia - riverbanks, ditches, wet meadows and damp woodland margins - favouring moist, nutrient-rich soils.^[2]

Harvesting

Rhizome/root is dug in autumn or early spring; leaves are gathered during the growing season. Raw material naturally contains hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, so commercial products are manufactured to remove them (PA-free standardised extracts); home-gathered material should never be used medicinally.^[11]

Parts: Root/rhizome, Leaf

Season: Root/rhizome in autumn or early spring; leaf during the growing season

Key Constituents

Sesquiterpenes (petasin and isopetasin)^{[2, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11]}

The anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic active principles; standardised in commercial extracts.

Sesquiterpenes

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs)^[11]

Naturally present but hepatotoxic and carcinogenic; must be removed to make a safe product.

Alkaloids

Pharmacological Actions

Anticancer (preclinical)^[5]

Antihistaminic / antiallergic^{[2, 3, 8, 11, 13]}

Relief of allergic rhinitis / hay fever (antihistaminic and leukotriene-inhibiting; systematic review found it superior to placebo and comparable to non-sedating antihistamines for intermittent allergic rhinitis)

Antispasmodic^{[2, 6, 8, 9, 11]}

Antispasmodic support in bronchial asthma

Bronchodilator / anti-asthmatic^{[6, 11]}

Antispasmodic support in bronchial asthma

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Allergy / hay fever^{[3, 11, 13]}Good · 8/10

Evidence: 8

Label: Allergy / hay fever

more plants for allergy / hay fever →detailed sources →

Asthma^{[6, 11]}Limited · 3/10

Antispasmodic support in bronchial asthma

Evidence: 3

Label: Asthma

more plants for asthma →detailed sources →

Cancer (anticancer research)^[5]Preliminary · 2/10

inferred from anticancer action

Evidence: 2

Label: Cancer (anticancer research)

more plants for cancer (anticancer research) →detailed sources →

Cough^[11]Preliminary · 2/10

inferred from bronchodilator action

Evidence: 2

Label: Cough

more plants for cough →detailed sources →

Fever^[11]Preliminary · 2/10

Evidence: 2

Label: Fever

more plants for fever →detailed sources →

Headache^{[4, 11, 14]}Moderate · 6/10

Evidence: 6

Label: Headache

more plants for headache →detailed sources →

Menstrual cramps^[11]Preliminary · 2/10

inferred from antispasmodic action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-1481

Evidence: 2

Label: Menstrual cramps

more plants for menstrual cramps →detailed sources →

Migraine^{[4, 11, 14]}Moderate · 6/10

Migraine prophylaxis (reduces attack frequency; up to ~60% reduction vs placebo in a randomised controlled trial of a standardised CO2 root extract)

Evidence: 6

Label: Migraine

more plants for migraine →detailed sources →

Muscle spasm^[11]Preliminary · 2/10

inferred from antispasmodic action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-1481

Evidence: 2

Label: Muscle spasm

more plants for muscle spasm →detailed sources →

Traditional Use & History

Butterbur has a long European folk-medicine history as a fever remedy - the name 'pestilence wort' reflects its historic use during plague outbreaks - and for asthma, cough and migraine-type headache. Modern clinical trials of standardised, pyrrolizidine-alkaloid-free extracts support its use for migraine prevention and allergic rhinitis.^{[2, 3, 4]}

Preparations

Standardised PA-free extract (tablet)^{[3, 4, 11]}

The only recommended form - e.g. the CO2-extracted root product studied for migraine prevention, or the Ze 339 leaf extract studied for allergic rhinitis. Raw root or leaf tea should never be used, as it retains hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

Dosage

Standardised PA-free extract^{[3, 4]}

Clinical trials have used standardised PA-free extracts (for example around 50-75 mg twice daily of a CO2 root extract for migraine prevention). Always use a certified PA-free commercial product, never raw plant material. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^[11]Serious

Use ONLY certified pyrrolizidine-alkaloid (PA)-free, standardised extracts. Raw or unprocessed butterbur contains PAs that are toxic to the liver and potentially carcinogenic.

Safety note^[11]Caution

Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As a member of the daisy family (Asteraceae), it can cause allergic reactions in people sensitive to ragweed and related plants. Watch for and report any signs of liver problems.

Dangerous Lookalikes

Adenostyles Alliariae^[15]Dangerous

Confused Part: Very large rounded leaves and rhizome gathered for use; alpendost has similar large rounded leaves and the same hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

Confusion Context: Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) has very large rounded leaves and is used medicinally (as pyrrolizidine-free standardised extracts). In the wild its foliage is confused with alpendost (Adenostyles alliariae) and coltsfoot, all large-leaved damp-ground plants. Alpendost contains hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids and, gathered in mistake for coltsfoot/butterbur and brewed as tea, has caused liver veno-occlusive disease (Sperl et al., 1995). Butterbur's own raw leaves also contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, so wild butterbur should only be used as tested, PA-free products rather than home-gathered material.

Distinguishing Features: Leaf: butterbur has enormous rounded leaves (up to about 1 m across when mature) on stout stalks; alpendost leaves are large but smaller and more coarsely toothed. Neither should be brewed from home-gathered material., Flowers: butterbur pushes up thick pinkish flower spikes in early spring before the leaves; alpendost has fluffy whitish-pink flower clusters among its leaves in summer., Best practice: do not brew wild butterbur or its large-leaved lookalikes at all - use only standardised, pyrrolizidine-free commercial butterbur preparations.

Key Test: Do not gather large rounded 'butterbur' leaves for tea - butterbur, alpendost and coltsfoot all look alike and carry liver-damaging pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Use only standardised, pyrrolizidine-free commercial butterbur products rather than home-collected leaves.

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07

Harvest Readiness

^[12]

Part: root

Signals: Dig the root and rhizome in late summer to autumn.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: The leaves are harvested in early summer, the root in late summer to autumn.

Species Confirmed: 1

Notes: PFAF (REF-3308); the root and rhizome are dug in late summer to autumn. Single lineage -> provisional. SAFETY: butterbur itself contains hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (only PA-free extracts are used medicinally), and the plant can be confused with Adenostyles alliariae - see Dangerous Lookalikes.

^[12]

Part: leaf

Signals: Gather the large leaves in early summer.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: The leaves are harvested in early summer, the root in late summer to autumn.

Species Confirmed: 1

Notes: PFAF (REF-3308); the leaves are gathered in early summer. Single lineage -> provisional. SAFETY: as above - PA-toxic, and confusable with Adenostyles alliariae.

External Identifiers

GBIF ›Wikidata ›

References & Sources

Alhusayan, R.M., Aldahmash, B.A., El-Nagar, D.M., Rady, A. and others (2020) 'Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) Extract Ameliorates Hepatic Damage Induced by Ovalbumin in Mice', Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2020, pp. 3178214. doi:10.1155/2020/3178214 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/3178214
Kalin, P (2003) 'The common butterbur (Petasites hybridus)--portrait of a medicinal herb', Forschende Komplementarmedizin und Klassische Naturheilkunde, 10(Suppl 1), pp. 41-44. doi:10.1159/000071691 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1159/000071691
Brattstrom, A (2003) 'A newly developed extract (Ze 339) from butterbur (Petasites hybridus L.) is clinically efficient in allergic rhinitis (hay fever)', Phytomedicine, 10(Suppl 4), pp. 50-52. doi:10.1078/1433-187x-00304 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1078/1433-187x-00304
Lipton, R.B., Gobel, H., Einhaupl, K.M., Wilks, K. and Mauskop, A (2004) 'Petasites hybridus root (butterbur) is an effective preventive treatment for migraine', Neurology, 63(12), pp. 2240-2244. doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000147290.68260.11 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1212/01.wnl.0000147290.68260.11
Apostolova, S., Oreshkova, T., Uzunova, V., Georgieva, I. and others (2023) 'A Standardized Extract of Petasites hybridus L., Containing the Active Ingredients Petasins, Acts as a Pro-Oxidant and Triggers Apoptosis through Elevating of NF-kB in a Highly Invasive Human Breast Cancer Cell Line', Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark Edition), 28(6), pp. 111. doi:10.31083/j.fbl2806111 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.31083/j.fbl2806111
Danesch, U.C (2004) 'Petasites hybridus (Butterbur root) extract in the treatment of asthma--an open trial', Alternative Medicine Review, 9(1), pp. 54-62. Clinical study
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Petasites%20hybridus%20%28Butterbur%20root%29%20extract%20in%20the%20treatment%20of%20asthma--an%20open%20trial
Aydin, A.A., Zerbes, V., Parlar, H. and Letzel, T (2013) 'The medical plant butterbur (Petasites): analytical and physiological (re)view', Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 75, pp. 220-229. doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2012.11.028 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2012.11.028
Kulinowski, L., Luca, S.V., Minceva, M. and Skalicka-Wozniak, K (2022) 'A review on the ethnobotany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of butterbur species (Petasites L.)', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 293, pp. 115263. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2022.115263 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2022.115263
Alternative Medicine Review (2001) 'Monograph: Petasites hybridus', Alternative Medicine Review, 6(2), pp. 207-209. Meta-analysis / review
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Monograph%3A%20Petasites%20hybridus
Kulinowski, L., Luca, S.V., Pecio, L., Minceva, M. and Skalicka-Wozniak, K (2023) 'Liquid-liquid chromatography isolation of Petasites hybridus sesquiterpenes and their LC-HR-MS/MS and NMR characterization', Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 234, pp. 115529. doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2023.115529 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2023.115529
Sadler, C., Vanderjagt, L. and Vohra, S (2007) 'Complementary, holistic, and integrative medicine: butterbur', Pediatrics in Review. doi:10.1542/pir.28-6-235 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1542/pir.28-6-235
Plants For A Future 'Petasites hybridus (Butterbur)'. Available at: https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Petasites+hybridus Traditional / reference
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Petasites+hybridus
Guo, R. and Pittler, M.H. and Ernst, E (2007) 'Herbal medicines for the treatment of allergic rhinitis: a systematic review', Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 99(6), pp. 483--495. doi:10.1016/S1081-1206(10)60375-4 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/S1081-1206(10)60375-4
Grossmann, M. and Schmidramsl, H (2000) 'An extract of Petasites hybridus is effective in the prophylaxis of migraine', International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 38(9), pp. 430--435. doi:10.5414/cpp38430 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.5414/cpp38430
Sperl, W. and Stuppner, H. and Gassner, I. and Judmaier, W. and Dietze, O. and Vogel, W (1995) 'Reversible hepatic veno-occlusive disease in an infant after consumption of pyrrolizidine-containing herbal tea', European Journal of Pediatrics, 154(2), pp. 112-6. doi:10.1007/BF01991912 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01991912

Selected studies & references

ReviewA review on the ethnobotany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of butterbur species (Petasites L.) source↗ (2022)

ReviewThe medical plant butterbur (Petasites): analytical and physiological (re)view source↗ (2013)

ReviewHerbal medicines for the treatment of allergic rhinitis: a systematic review source↗ (2007)

ReviewA newly developed extract (Ze 339) from butterbur (Petasites hybridus L.) is clinically efficient in allergic rhinitis (hay fever) source↗ (2003)

ReviewThe common butterbur (Petasites hybridus)--portrait of a medicinal herb source↗ (2003)

ReviewMonograph: Petasites hybridus source↗ (2001)

RctPetasites hybridus root (butterbur) is an effective preventive treatment for migraine source↗ (2004)

RctAn extract of Petasites hybridus is effective in the prophylaxis of migraine source↗ (2000)

All 13 studies in the Knowledge Finder →

Educational use only. This profile summarises traditional and scientific sources for reference. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for a qualified practitioner. Some plants carry safety cautions and drug interactions - always check before use.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.

← Explore plants by symptom

← Browse all plants