• Butterbur Research

    Butterbur is an herb native to Europe, Southwestern Asia, and North Africa. Studies have shown that its leaf and root extracts may be beneficial as a nutritional support for health while living with migraine. Petasins, the sesquiterpene compounds found in butterbur, are thought to be the active constituents. They inhibit leukotriene (a type of inflammatory molecule),  cyclooxygenase and histamine activity, and are thought responsible for butterbur’s anti-inflammatory and antiallergic effects. Petasins are also known to have calcium channel- blocking effects that could help manage neurological discomfort. Studies on 75 mg of butterbur extract taken twice daily over a course of 3 months had a positive impact against placebo and performed better than the 50 mg dose taken twice daily.

    Butterbur Research

    Butterbur is an herb native to Europe, Southwestern Asia, and North Africa. Studies have shown that its leaf and root extracts may be beneficial as a nutritional support for health while living with migraine. Petasins, the sesquiterpene compounds found in butterbur, are thought to be the active constituents. They inhibit leukotriene (a type of inflammatory molecule),  cyclooxygenase and histamine activity, and are thought responsible for butterbur’s anti-inflammatory and antiallergic effects. Petasins are also known to have calcium channel- blocking effects that could help manage neurological discomfort. Studies on 75 mg of butterbur extract taken twice daily over a course of 3 months had a positive impact against placebo and performed better than the 50 mg dose taken twice daily.

Key cited studies

  1. Diener HC, Rahlfs VW, Danesch U, The first placebo-controlled trial of a special butterbur root extract for the prevention of migraine: reanalysis of efficacy criteria. Eur Neurol 2004;51(2):89-97.
  2. Grossman W, Schmidramsl H. An extract of Petasites hybridus is effective in the prophylaxis of migraine. Altern Med Rev 2001;6(3):303-10.
  3. Lipton RB, Gobel H, Einhaupl KM, et al. Petasites hybridus root (butterbur) is an effective preventive treatment for migraine. Neurology 2004;63(12):2240-4
  4. Agosti R, Duke RK, Chrubasik JE, Chrubasik S. Effectiveness of Petasites hybridus preparations in the prophylaxis of migraine: a systematic review. Phytomedicine. Nov 2006;13(9-10):743-746.