Butterbur is a daisy-like plant said to have medicinal properties. It is used for various conditions, such as
allergies or
migraines and is available in a variety of different
dietary supplements.
Butterbur contains a variety of different active compounds, such as petasin, isopetasin, flavonoids, and tannins. These compounds are probably responsible for most of the medicinal properties of the plant.
It is thought that butterbur works for allergies by decreasing the production of leukotrienes and histamine, two substances in the body that are responsible for many of the symptoms of allergies. It is not yet clear how the supplement might work to prevent
migraine headaches.
Although butterbur is a "natural" product, it is not free of side effects. Some of the common side effects include
headaches, fatigue, and itchy eyes. Before using butterbur medicinally, make sure to talk to your healthcare provider about any other medical conditions you may have or any other medications you are taking, including vitamins and herbal supplements.
(Click Butterbur for more information on what butterbur is and how it works. This article also discusses general dosing guidelines, safety precautions, and tips on effectively using this supplement.)
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