Butterbur For Allergies, Sinusitis: Butterbur Extract For Migraines

Butterbur For Allergies, Sinusitis: Butterbur Extract For Migraines . Many people opt for herbal remedies to cure their chronic problems. Extract of butterbur plant (Petasites hybridus) is used by these people for treating chronic ailments such as allergies, sinusitis and even migraine headaches. The shrub butterbur is boasted as a plant which has the largest leaves. It measures up to 2 to3 feet in diameter. The plant usually grows in marshy and wet areas in European countries.

In olden days the large leaves of this plant were used to wrap butter to prevent it from melting. Thus it got its name ‘Butterbur’.

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The important parts used as herbal extract of this plant are its leaves, stem and the roots. Few hundred years ago when there were no antibiotics, people used butterbur to treat plague epidemics.

Butterbur contains anti inflammatory properties that inhibit histamines and leukotrienes; chemicals responsible for allergy. The active ingredients petasin and isopetasin present in butterbur stops excess production of leukotrienes which is also responsible for migraine headache. Butterbur extract reduces inflammation and hence the patient does not get repeated attacks of migraine.

Butterbur in its natural form contains toxic substance pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) which can seriously damage liver and may trigger malignancy.

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Therefore only those products of butterbur should be used which is labeled as PA-free.

Butterbur is also called as Blatterdock, Butterflydock, Exwort, Petasite, Grand Bonnet, Bog Rhubarb, etc. Butterbur extract is commonly available as tablets. Teas, capsules, contain raw butterbur extract.

Butterbur Extract For Allergy

Hay fever is a seasonal allergy caused due to pollens. Running nose, sneezing, watering from eyes, throat irritation and fever are some of the symptoms commonly seen in hay fever. In such condition butterbur leaf extract has alleviated many people from discomfort and irritation in throat and nose.

The antihistaminic action of butterbur extract has been suggested to be as effective as commercially available antihistamine tablets. However, many people debate its effect as the trials and studies done with butterbur extract (which were free from harmful PA alkaloid) were found to be incomplete in many sense.

Use Of Butterbur For MigrainesExtract derived from Butterbur root is said to be an effective preventive measure for migraine sufferers. This extract has to be consumed for 16 weeks. It can reduce the number of attacks, its frequency and severity. The time interval is also reduced.

According to one study, migraine headaches almost reduced to half after taking butterbur root extracts. Chemicals Petasin and isopetasin present in butterbur inhibit leukotrines which are responsible for inflammation of blood vessels in the brain resulting in migraine headaches.

Butterbur For Sinusitis Relief

Sinuses are air sacs around the nose. They become inflamed and congested due to repeated upper respiratory tract infection. Sneezing, running nose are common symptoms of common cold. The mucous lining in the sinuses gets swollen as a result of allergy leading to sinusitis.

The chemical petasin present is Butterbur extract acts as antihistamine and reduces inflammation and congestion of sinuses. Petasin and isopetasin present in butterbur acts on the walls of the vessels in the sinuses and reduces their inflammation.

There are many benefits noted with this age old herbal remedy. However one should always use butterbur products which are labeled as PA free. Take butterbur extract only as much as it is directed. If taken in larger quantity than required, it can cause more damage than its benefit.

Also always keep a record of how much and how often you are taking butterbur extract. It will help to know its effect. Besides, pregnant women and nursing mothers should not take these products as there is no sufficient data for their safety during this period.