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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
Butterbur vs Sarcosine: Sarcosine has the stronger overall evidence (5 vs 6/10); the best pick depends on your goals. Take the 60-second quiz for a pick tailored to your goals.
Sarcosine wins 2 of 3 categories. Both are solid choices — the best pick depends on your specific goals.
Verdict
Mostly mechanism / observational
Top outcomes
Verdict
Mostly mechanism / observational
Top outcomes
50-75mg PA-free standardized extract twice daily for migraine prophylaxis (≈100-150mg/day); allergic rhinitis similar
with-meals
Certified PA-free standardized extract
500-2000 mg/day in trials (schizophrenia commonly 2 g/day add-on; OCD trials 500-2000 mg/day)
morning
Sarcosine (N-methylglycine)
1-3 months
2-6 weeks
Variable
2-6 weeks
6-12 weeks
2-10 weeks
Throughout use
Petasites hybridus root (butterbur) is an effective preventive treatment for migraine.
Neurology (2004) · Rct · n=245
75mg twice-daily cut migraine frequency 48% vs 26% placebo
Effectiveness of Petasites hybridus preparations in the prophylaxis of migraine: a systematic review.
Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (2006) · Systematic review
Effective for migraine prophylaxis
Randomised controlled trial of butterbur and cetirizine for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis.
BMJ (Clinical research ed.) (2002) · Rct · n=125
Comparable to cetirizine for allergic rhinitis symptoms
Efficacy and cognitive effect of sarcosine (N-methylglycine) in patients with schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of double-blind randomised controlled trials.
J Psychopharmacol (2020) · Meta analysis · n=326
Pooled 7 double-blind RCTs, 326 patients with schizophrenia
Inhibition of glycine transporter-I as a novel mechanism for the treatment of depression.
Biol Psychiatry (2013) · Rct · n=40
6-week randomized double-blind citalopram-controlled trial in 40 patients with major depressive disorder
Sarcosine therapy for obsessive compulsive disorder: a prospective, open-label study.
J Clin Psychopharmacol (2011) · Open label · n=25
10-week open-label trial, 25 analyzable OCD patients, 500-2000 mg/day
Sarcosine has a higher evidence score (5/10 vs 6/10) and wins in 2 of 3 categories.
No known interactions between Butterbur and Sarcosine have been documented in our database. However, always consult a healthcare provider before combining supplements.
The right pick depends on your goals. Answer a few quick questions for a personalised recommendation — or dig into the full evidence on each.