Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph
Butterbur
Petasites hybridus
This monograph compiles 2 documented constituents, 3 pharmacological actions, 8 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 13 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.
Key Constituents
The anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic active principles; standardised in commercial extracts.
Naturally present but hepatotoxic and carcinogenic; must be removed to make a safe product.
Pharmacological Actions
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)
Traditional & Indicated Uses
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)
more plants for allergy / hay fever →detailed sources →Antispasmodic support in bronchial asthma
more plants for asthma →detailed sources →inferred from bronchodilator action
more plants for cough →detailed sources →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)
more plants for fever →detailed sources →inferred from antispasmodic action
more plants for menstrual cramps →detailed sources →Migraine prophylaxis (reduces attack frequency; up to ~60% reduction vs placebo in a randomised controlled trial of a standardised CO2 root extract)
more plants for migraine →detailed sources →inferred from antispasmodic action
more plants for muscle spasm →detailed sources →Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Use ONLY certified pyrrolizidine-alkaloid (PA)-free, standardised extracts. Raw or unprocessed butterbur contains PAs that are toxic to the liver and potentially carcinogenic.
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.
References
REF-1476, REF-1477, REF-1478, REF-1479, REF-1480, REF-1481, REF-1482, REF-1483, REF-1484, REF-1485References & 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
Find this source - 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
Find this source - 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 - 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
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