Research
Butterbur
23 peer-reviewed studies curated from PubMed and Semantic Scholar.
Studies
Sorted by quality and recency
Medicinal plants for allergic rhinitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of single medicinal plants in managing allergic rhinitis. Petasites hybridus was the most frequently investigated plant. The analysis suggests that single medicinal plants may improve nasal symptoms and quality of life compared to placebo, but no clear differences were found compared to antihistamines. Medicinal plants were well tolerated up to 8 weeks of use.
Efficacy and Safety of Phytotherapy and Anthroposophic Medicine in Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review.
Systematic review of 14 studies on European/Western phytotherapy and anthroposophic medicine for seasonal allergic rhinitis. Petasites hybridus (butterbur) showed beneficial effects on immunological parameters, subjective symptoms, and nasal airflow. An herbal preparation combining Citrus limonis (lemon) and Cydonia oblonga (quince) also showed beneficial effects. Medications were judged to be safe.
Effectiveness of Petasites hybridus preparations in the prophylaxis of migraine: a systematic review.
Systematic review evaluating the effectiveness of Petasites hybridus preparations in migraine prophylaxis. Two trials with a total of 293 patients were included, showing moderate evidence of effectiveness for a higher dose of Petasites root extract Petadolex in reducing migraine frequency.
Herbal medicines for the treatment of allergic rhinitis: a systematic review.
Systematic review of 16 RCTs evaluating herbal medicines for allergic rhinitis. Petasites hybridus (butterbur) showed effectiveness compared to placebo and similar efficacy to nonsedative antihistamines. Other herbs like Aller-7, Tinospora cordifolia, and Perilla frutescens also showed promising results, though larger trials are needed for confirmation.
Treating intermittent allergic rhinitis: a prospective, randomized, placebo and antihistamine-controlled study of Butterbur extract Ze 339.
Prospective, randomized, double-blind study comparing Butterbur extract Ze 339, fexofenadine, and placebo in 330 patients with intermittent allergic rhinitis. Both active treatments significantly improved symptoms compared to placebo, with no differences between Butterbur and fexofenadine. Both treatments were well tolerated.
Butterbur: an evidence-based systematic review by the natural standard research collaboration.
An evidence-based systematic review of butterbur, including analysis of scientific literature, expert opinion, folkloric precedent, history, pharmacology, kinetics/dynamics, interactions, adverse effects, toxicology, and dosing.
Petasites hybridus root (butterbur) is an effective preventive treatment for migraine.
RCT evaluating the efficacy of Petasites hybridus extract as a preventive treatment for migraine in 245 patients. Petasites extract 75 mg bid significantly reduced migraine attack frequency by 48% compared to placebo over 4 months, with 68% of patients achieving a ≥50% reduction in attack frequency.
Fixed herbal drug combination with and without butterbur (Ze 185) for the treatment of patients with somatoform disorders: randomized, placebo-controlled pharmaco-clinical trial.
RCT evaluating the additional benefit of butterbur in a fixed herbal drug combination (Ze 185) for patients with somatoform disorders. The 4-combination including butterbur was significantly superior to the 3-combination and placebo in improving anxiety and depression scores.
Butterbur Ze339 for the treatment of intermittent allergic rhinitis: dose-dependent efficacy in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of Butterbur extract Ze339 in 186 patients with intermittent allergic rhinitis. The study found that Butterbur Ze339 significantly improved symptoms compared to placebo, with a dose-dependent efficacy observed. The treatment was well tolerated with no significant difference in adverse events between groups.
The first placebo-controlled trial of a special butterbur root extract for the prevention of migraine: reanalysis of efficacy criteria.
Independent reanalysis of a randomized, placebo-controlled trial on the efficacy of butterbur root extract (Petadolex) for migraine prophylaxis. The study found a significant reduction in migraine attack frequency in the butterbur group compared to placebo, with a responder rate of 45% versus 15%. Butterbur was well tolerated.
Randomised controlled trial of butterbur and cetirizine for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis.
RCT comparing the efficacy and tolerability of butterbur (Petasites hybridus) with cetirizine in 125 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Both treatments showed similar improvements in SF-36 scores and global improvement scores, with butterbur being a non-sedative alternative.
Anti-inflammatory activity of an extract of Petasites hybridus in allergic rhinitis.
RCT evaluating the anti-inflammatory activity of Petasites hybridus extract (Ze339) in allergic rhinitis patients. Ze339 significantly improved nasal symptoms and reduced levels of histamine and leukotrienes in nasal fluids after 5 days of treatment.
An extract of Petasites hybridus is effective in the prophylaxis of migraine.
A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical study investigated the efficacy of a CO2 extract from Petasites hybridus rhizome in migraine prophylaxis. Over 12 weeks, the frequency of migraine attacks decreased by up to 60% with Petadolex compared to placebo, with no adverse events reported.
An extract of Petasites hybridus is effective in the prophylaxis of migraine.
A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical study investigated the efficacy of a CO2 extract from Petasites hybridus rhizome in migraine prophylaxis. The study involved 60 patients over 12 weeks, showing a significant reduction in migraine attack frequency by up to 60% with Petasites hybridus compared to placebo. The extract was well tolerated with no adverse events reported.
The butterbur extract petasin has no effect on skin test reactivity induced by different stimuli: a randomized, double-blind crossover study using histamine, codeine, methacholine, and aeroallergen solutions.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the antiallergic properties of petasin (Ze 339) using skin prick tests with various stimuli in 8 patients with respiratory allergy and 10 healthy volunteers. The study found no significant inhibition of skin test reactivity by Ze 339 compared to placebo, while acrivastine significantly inhibited reactivity.
Effects of butterbur treatment in intermittent allergic rhinitis: a placebo-controlled evaluation.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study evaluated the effects of butterbur treatment on intermittent allergic rhinitis in 35 patients. Butterbur treatment showed no significant effect on peak nasal inspiratory flow, nasal and eye symptoms, or quality of life compared to placebo.
The effects of butterbur on the histamine and allergen cutaneous response.
RCT comparing the effects of butterbur, fexofenadine, and montelukast on histamine and allergen cutaneous responses in atopic patients. Butterbur did not produce significant effects compared to placebo, while fexofenadine significantly attenuated the responses.
Butterbur, a herbal remedy, confers complementary anti-inflammatory activity in asthmatic patients receiving inhaled corticosteroids.
RCT evaluating butterbur as add-on therapy to inhaled corticosteroids in 16 atopic asthmatic patients. Butterbur significantly improved AMP bronchoprovocation and reduced exhaled nitric oxide, serum eosinophil cationic protein, and peripheral blood eosinophil count compared to placebo.
A placebo-controlled evaluation of butterbur and fexofenadine on objective and subjective outcomes in perennial allergic rhinitis.
A placebo-controlled, double-blind cross-over study evaluated the effects of butterbur (BB) and fexofenadine (FEX) on patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. Both BB and FEX significantly attenuated the nasal response to AMP challenge and improved nasal symptoms compared to placebo, with no significant differences between BB and FEX.
Butterbur, a herbal remedy, attenuates adenosine monophosphate induced nasal responsiveness in seasonal allergic rhinitis.
RCT of 20 patients with grass-pollen-sensitized seasonal allergic rhinitis comparing butterbur (50 mg twice daily) to placebo during the grass pollen season. Butterbur significantly attenuated nasal responsiveness to adenosine monophosphate challenge, suggesting potential clinical efficacy in reducing symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Study on clinical properties and mechanisms of action of Petasites in bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive bronchitis.
The paper studies the clinical properties and mechanisms of action of Petasites in bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive bronchitis.
Petasites hybridus (Butterbur root) extract in the treatment of asthma--an open trial.
An open trial analyzed the efficacy and tolerability of butterbur root extract (Petadolex) for asthma treatment in 64 adults and 16 children/adolescents over two months. The study found decreased number, duration, and severity of asthma attacks, improved peak flow and FEV1, and reduced asthma medication intake in over 40% of patients.
Update on the efficacy and safety of Petadolex ® , a butterbur extract for migraine prophylaxis
This narrative review discusses the efficacy and safety of Petadolex, a butterbur extract, for migraine prophylaxis. It summarizes findings from four studies, including clinical trials and observational studies, and highlights concerns about its long-term safety, leading to its withdrawal in some European countries.