What Is Butterbur Used For?

Butterbur is a flowering plant related to the common daisy. The plant, especially its roots, contains medicinal properties and is widely used in alternative medicine.

History

• Butterbur was utilized by ancient Greek doctors in treating medical conditions such as skin rashes. The Native Americans also used butterbur to relieve head pain.

Theories and Research

• Since 2000, the medicinal powers of butterbur have been researched in scientific laboratories, particularly in terms of its headache fighting properties. The effectiveness of butterbur was confirmed in studies that took place at the University of Essen in Germany, Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, and the Center for Kinderschmerztherapie in Hamburg, Germany.

Headaches

• According to the studies cited above, butterbur is useful in preventing migraines. Patients who have frequent attacks that affect their quality of life on a regular basis reported a lessening or elimination of symptoms after taking the herb.

Asthma

• A University of Dundee, Scotland, study showed that the use of butterbur helped improve the breathing of asthma sufferers and reduced their number of attacks. Some patients were even able to reduce the amount of medicine they required to control their asthma.

Warnings

• Butterbur can cause allergic reactions, especially in people who are sensitive to ragweed and pollen. The FDA has not officially approved the use of butterbur to treat any illness.