1Systematic ReviewCited 9×2005
Giles M, Ulbricht C, Khalsa KP, Kirkwood CD, Park C, Basch E · J Herb Pharmacother (2005)
No plain-language summary recorded for this citation — open the paper to read its abstract.
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21 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Butterbur doesn't have enough studies with structured effect-size data yet to pool a verdict. Browse the studies below for individual findings.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2002–2025 with a typical study size of 186 participants.
Based on 21 studies · 1 meta-analysis · 13 RCTs · 556 total participants
Confidence
Moderate confidenceBy outcome
4 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2024
Giles M, Ulbricht C, Khalsa KP, Kirkwood CD, Park C, Basch E · J Herb Pharmacother (2005)
No plain-language summary recorded for this citation — open the paper to read its abstract.
Agosti R, Duke RK, Chrubasik JE, Chrubasik S · Phytomedicine (2006)
No plain-language summary recorded for this citation — open the paper to read its abstract.
Lee DK, Gray RD, Robb FM, Fujihara S, Lipworth BJ · Clin Exp Allergy (2004)
No plain-language summary recorded for this citation — open the paper to read its abstract.
Schapowal A · Phytother Res (2005)
No plain-language summary recorded for this citation — open the paper to read its abstract.
Lee DK, Carstairs IJ, Haggart K, Jackson CM, Currie GP, Lipworth BJ · Clin Exp Allergy (2003)
No plain-language summary recorded for this citation — open the paper to read its abstract.
Oelkers-Ax R, Leins A, Parzer P, Hillecke T, Bolay HV, Fischer J · Eur J Pain (2008)
No plain-language summary recorded for this citation — open the paper to read its abstract.
Gex-Collet C, Imhof L, Brattström A, Pichler WJ, Helbling A · J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol (2006)
No plain-language summary recorded for this citation — open the paper to read its abstract.
Jackson CM, Lee DK, Lipworth BJ · Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol (2004)
No plain-language summary recorded for this citation — open the paper to read its abstract.
Diener HC, Rahlfs VW, Danesch U · Eur Neurol (2004)
No plain-language summary recorded for this citation — open the paper to read its abstract.
Lee DK, Haggart K, Robb FM, Lipworth BJ · Clin Exp Allergy (2004)
No plain-language summary recorded for this citation — open the paper to read its abstract.
Melzer J, Schrader E, Brattström A, Schellenberg R, Saller R · Phytother Res (2009)
No plain-language summary recorded for this citation — open the paper to read its abstract.
Gray RD, Haggart K, Lee DK, Cull S, Lipworth BJ · Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol (2004)
No plain-language summary recorded for this citation — open the paper to read its abstract.
In plain English: Petasites extract 75 mg bid is more effective than placebo and is well tolerated as a preventive therapy for migraine. Petasites 50 mg PO bid was not significantly more effective than placebo on the primary study endpoints.
Lipton RB et al. · Neurology (2004)
In plain English: As cannabis legalization spreads worldwide, care providers must be aware of the limited evidence in migraine.
Rajapakse T, Gantenbein AR. · Handbook of clinical neurology (2024)
In plain English: Given its favourable safety profile and lack of sedative side effects, Ze 339 offers a valuable alternative to antihistamines and should therefore continue to be considered by medical practitioners for the treatment of allergic rhinitis symptoms.
Merk VM, Boonen G, Butterweck V, Schapowal A. · Advances in respiratory medicine (2025)
In plain English: To compare the efficacy and tolerability of butterbur (Petasites hybridus) with cetirizine in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever).
Schapowal A et al. · BMJ (Clinical research ed.) (2002)
In plain English: Clear beneficial evidence of medicinal plants for allergic rhinitis is still lacking.
Lim XY et al. · PloS one (2024)
In plain English: Overall, findings on the efficacy of feverfew were mixed and there was positive, albeit limited evidence for butterbur.
Lopresti AL et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR (2020)
In plain English: Improvement in the main efficacy variable was significantly superior in the Butterbur Ze339 groups, relative to placebo, and a significant dose relationship was observed between the 2 Butterbur doses.
Schapowal A et al. · Archives of otolaryngology--head & neck surgery (2004)
In plain English: In summary, this systematic review highlights two herbal preparations, one from European/Western PT and one from AM, that appear to be promising options in the treatment of SAR.
Braunwalder C, Ertl J, Wullschleger M, Timm E, Wolf U. · International archives of allergy and immunology (2025)