# Plant Monograph: Butterbur
**Name of plant:**
Butterbur
**Catch phrase (Carmina Gadelica or traditional invocation if available):**
No traditional Carmina Gadelica invocation specific to Butterbur has been recorded. In European folk tradition, its enormous leaves were associated with shelter and protection, often used to wrap food and cover butter during transport, giving rise to its common name.
**Family:**
Asteraceae
**Genus and species:**
*Petasites hybridus*
**Other names:**
* Butter Dock
* Bog Rhubarb
* Pestilence Wort
* Umbrella Leaves
* Butter Docken
* Sweet Coltsfoot
* German: Pestwurz
* French: Pétasite
**Brief introduction:**
Butterbur is a perennial herb native to Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. It thrives in damp meadows, streambanks, and wetlands. The plant produces large heart-shaped leaves that emerge after flowering and can reach impressive sizes. Historically valued for treating fevers and epidemics, Butterbur is now best known for its use in migraine prevention and allergic rhinitis. Raw plant material contains toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), so only certified PA-free preparations should be used medicinally.
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## Traditional uses:
* Relief of fever
* Treatment of plague and epidemic diseases
* Cough and respiratory complaints
* Urinary tract support
* Wound and skin applications
## Historical use:
* Used during medieval plague outbreaks
* Employed as a diaphoretic to induce sweating
* Given for asthma and bronchial conditions
* Applied externally to ulcers and wounds
* Used in European folk medicine for spasms and pain
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## Parts used and method of use:
* Rhizome
* Root
Used as:
* Decoction
* Tincture
* Standardized extract
* Encapsulated PA-free extract
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## Use in healing (modern herbal practice):
* Migraine prevention
* Seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
* Bronchial spasm support
* Mild inflammatory conditions
* Tension-related headaches
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## Pharmacology and biochemistry:
* Petasin
* Isopetasin
* Sesquiterpene esters
### Mechanisms:
* Inhibits leukotriene synthesis
* Relaxes smooth muscle tissue
* Reduces inflammatory signaling pathways
**Overall profile:**
Butterbur is primarily recognized as an anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic herb. Modern research has focused on standardized PA-free extracts for migraine prevention and allergic rhinitis. Due to liver toxicity risks associated with pyrrolizidine alkaloids, only processed PA-free products are considered acceptable for internal use.
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## Common dosage:
* PA-free standardized extract: 50–75 mg twice daily
* Migraine prevention protocols: 75 mg twice daily
* Tincture (historical use): 2–4 mL up to 3 times daily
* Decoction (historical use): 1–2 g dried root daily
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## Safety factors (including side effects):
* Only PA-free certified products should be used internally
* Raw herb may cause serious liver toxicity
* Possible gastrointestinal upset
* May cause headache or fatigue in sensitive individuals
* Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to insufficient safety data
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## First aid / adverse reaction response:
* Nausea or stomach upset: Reduce dose or discontinue use
* Allergic reaction: Discontinue immediately and seek medical care
* Signs of liver injury (jaundice, dark urine, abdominal pain): Stop use and seek urgent medical evaluation
* Severe adverse effects from non-PA-free products: Obtain immediate medical attention
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## Drug interactions:
* Potential interaction with hepatotoxic medications
* Caution with drugs metabolized by the liver
* Possible additive effects with antispasmodic agents
* Individuals with liver disease should consult a healthcare provider before use
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## Horticultural requirements:
* USDA / Canadian zone: 4–9
* Soil pH: 5.5–7.5
* Light requirements: Full sun to partial shade
* Moisture: Consistently moist to wet soils
**Other notes (growth habit, harvest timing, etc.):**
* Vigorous spreading perennial
* Pink to purplish flower spikes appear before leaves
* Rhizomes harvested in autumn
* Common along streams, marshes, and wet meadows
* Propagates readily through rhizome division and can become invasive
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## Sampling of clinical reports / studies:
* Multiple clinical trials have investigated PA-free Butterbur extracts for migraine prevention, showing reductions in attack frequency.
* Studies on allergic rhinitis have demonstrated symptom improvement comparable to some conventional antihistamines without marked sedation.
* Pharmacological research identifies petasin and isopetasin as major active constituents responsible for anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects.
* Historical European ethnobotanical records document extensive use for plague, fever, respiratory ailments, and wound care.
* Overall assessment of evidence: Moderate evidence supports PA-free Butterbur extracts for migraine prevention and allergic rhinitis. Safety concerns regarding pyrrolizidine alkaloids make proper product selection essential.
Educational Use Only: The information presented on this page is provided for educational, historical, and informational purposes only. ArdNemeton na Tuatha and Bhùth Draoi do not provide medical advice. Always consult your physician and pharmacist before using any herb, mushroom, supplement, or botanical product for medicinal purposes. Traditional uses described herein do not constitute medical claims.