Western Herbalism
Butterbur
Petasites hybridus
Also known as Western Butterbur, Petasites, Bog Rhubarb, Blatterdock, Bogshorns, Butterdock, Butterfly Dock, Capdockin.
Butterbur acts primarily as: Antispasmodic, Anti-inflammatory, Antimigraine (prophylactic), Antihistamine/antiallergic, Smooth-muscle relaxant, Analgesic, Leukotriene-inhibiting. Secondary actions include Relax spasm, Calm vascular and bronchial reactivity, Relieve migraine and allergy, Settle smooth muscle.
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Indications what the tradition reached for it in
- Migraine prophylaxis (reduces frequency, supported by clinical trials)
- Tension and vascular headache
- Allergic rhinitis and hay fever
- Asthma and bronchial spasm
- Smooth-muscle and visceral cramping
- Urinary and biliary colic
- Pain with spasm
- Use as supportive therapy for acute spastic pain in the urinary tract
Safety
Recognised toxicity. This plant carries a toxicity flag in the record; it is for trained practitioners only.
Breastfeeding: Not for use while breastfeeding
The record lists 6 contraindications; open the plate in the library to read them in full.
Dosing as the sources wrote it
| Preparation | As written | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| ONLY PA-free standardized extract (e.g. standardized to petasins) | ONLY PA-free standardized extract (e.g. standardized to petasins): typically 50-75 mg twice daily (capsule) | 50-75 mg |
| (G3) As an antispasmodic and for other traditional uses s described in the herbal literature are typically prepara- tions equivalent to 4.5 -7 g dried butterbur root daily in the form of an ethanolic | 4500-7000 mg |
Doses are reproduced from the sources for practitioners and are not a recommendation for any person.
From the sources
primary-actions. Butterbur acts primarily as: Antispasmodic, Anti-inflammatory, Antimigraine (prophylactic), Antihistamine/antiallergic, Smooth-muscle relaxant, Analgesic, Leukotriene-inhibiting. Secondary actions include Relax spasm, Calm vascular and bronchial reactivity, Relieve migraine and allergy, Settle smooth muscle.
indications. Butterbur is traditionally indicated for: Migraine prophylaxis (reduces frequency, supported by clinical trials), Tension and vascular headache, Allergic rhinitis and hay fever, Asthma and bronchial spasm, Smooth-muscle and visceral cramping, Urinary and biliary colic, Pain with spasm.
constituents. Notable constituents of Butterbur include: Sesquiterpenes (petasin, isopetasin, neopetasin - the actives), Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (toxic - removed in standardized extracts), Volatile oil, Flavonoids, Mucilage.
dose-reference. Reference preparation/dosing for Butterbur: ONLY PA-free standardized extract (e.g. standardized to petasins): typically 50-75 mg twice daily (capsule); Crude tincture/tea from the raw plant is NOT recommended due to pyrrolizidine alkaloids; Use defined courses under supervision
In formulas
Butterbur stands in 1 documented formula in the library, among them Headache & Migraine Formula.
Often paired with
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WillowSalix spp.
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Bush honeysuckleDiervilla trifida
Bushy GerardiaGerardia
Butcher's BroomRuscus aculeatus
ButternutJuglans cinerea
Button snakerootLiatris spicata
ButtonbushCephalanthus occidentalis
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