Butterbur Research

Butterbur: an evidence-based systematic review by the natural standard research collaboration.

Giles M, Ulbricht C, Khalsa KP, Kirkwood CD, Park C, Basch E · J Herb Pharmacother (2005)

Effectiveness of Petasites hybridus preparations in the prophylaxis of migraine: a systematic review.

Agosti R, Duke RK, Chrubasik JE, Chrubasik S · Phytomedicine (2006)

A placebo-controlled evaluation of butterbur and fexofenadine on objective and subjective outcomes in perennial allergic rhinitis.

Lee DK, Gray RD, Robb FM, Fujihara S, Lipworth BJ · Clin Exp Allergy (2004)

Treating intermittent allergic rhinitis: a prospective, randomized, placebo and antihistamine-controlled study of Butterbur extract Ze 339.

Schapowal A · Phytother Res (2005)

Butterbur, a herbal remedy, attenuates adenosine monophosphate induced nasal responsiveness in seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Lee DK, Carstairs IJ, Haggart K, Jackson CM, Currie GP, Lipworth BJ · Clin Exp Allergy (2003)

Butterbur root extract and music therapy in the prevention of childhood migraine: an explorative study.

Oelkers-Ax R, Leins A, Parzer P, Hillecke T, Bolay HV, Fischer J · Eur J Pain (2008)

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.

Gex-Collet C, Imhof L, Brattström A, Pichler WJ, Helbling A · J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol (2006)

The effects of butterbur on the histamine and allergen cutaneous response.

Jackson CM, Lee DK, Lipworth BJ · Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol (2004)

The first placebo-controlled trial of a special butterbur root extract for the prevention of migraine: reanalysis of efficacy criteria.

Diener HC, Rahlfs VW, Danesch U · Eur Neurol (2004)

Butterbur, a herbal remedy, confers complementary anti-inflammatory activity in asthmatic patients receiving inhaled corticosteroids.

Lee DK, Haggart K, Robb FM, Lipworth BJ · Clin Exp Allergy (2004)

Fixed herbal drug combination with and without butterbur (Ze 185) for the treatment of patients with somatoform disorders: randomized, placebo-controlled pharmaco-clinical trial.

Melzer J, Schrader E, Brattström A, Schellenberg R, Saller R · Phytother Res (2009)

Effects of butterbur treatment in intermittent allergic rhinitis: a placebo-controlled evaluation.

Gray RD, Haggart K, Lee DK, Cull S, Lipworth BJ · Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol (2004)

Petasites hybridus root (butterbur) is an effective preventive treatment for migraine.

In plain English: A 3-arm RCT (n=245) found Petasites extract 75mg twice daily reduced migraine attack frequency by 48% vs 26% for placebo (p=0.0012); the 50mg dose was not significantly better than placebo.

Lipton RB et al. · Neurology (2004)

Nutraceuticals in migraine

In plain English: Future studies may explore traditional ancient medicines for migraine at basic science and clinical level, while currently adopted and new nutraceutical treatments may benefit from partnership with industry to engage in larger trials in humans.

Rajapakse T, Gantenbein AR. · Handbook of clinical neurology (2024)

Efficacy and Safety of P. hybridus Leaf Extract Ze 339 for the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis

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)

Randomised controlled trial of butterbur and cetirizine for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis.

In plain English: A randomized BMJ trial found butterbur as effective as cetirizine for seasonal allergic rhinitis, without the sedation.

Schapowal A et al. · BMJ (Clinical research ed.) (2002)

Medicinal plants for allergic rhinitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

In plain English: A systematic review and meta-analysis of medicinal plants for allergic rhinitis included butterbur among effective options.

Lim XY et al. · PloS one (2024)

Herbal treatments for migraine: A systematic review of randomised-controlled studies.

In plain English: A systematic review of herbal migraine treatments found butterbur among those with supportive randomized evidence.

Lopresti AL et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR (2020)

Butterbur Ze339 for the treatment of intermittent allergic rhinitis: dose-dependent efficacy in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

In plain English: A randomized, double-blind trial found butterbur extract Ze339 had dose-dependent efficacy for intermittent allergic rhinitis.

Schapowal A et al. · Archives of otolaryngology--head & neck surgery (2004)

Efficacy and Safety of Phytotherapy and Anthroposophic Medicine in Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review

In plain English: Conclusion 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)