Butterbur Supplements for Migraines- Are they Safe?

There’s been a lot of talk about the safety of using butterbur for migraines. Which types of butterbur are safe, and which butterbur plants are not? Hint: Watch out for pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in butterbur. Here are the straight facts about the safety and efficiency of butterbur supplements for preventing migraine headaches.

What is Butterbur?

Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) is a relative of the daisy that grows in marshy areas all over Europe, North Africa, and Asia. The flowers of the butterbur plant can be purple or white, and its leaves are distinctly heart-shaped.
Other names for butterbur include Sweet Coltsfoot and Bog Rhubarb, but the most popular term- butterbur- originated because ancient civilization used the large butterbur leaves to wrap butter.
In the Middle Ages, people used butterbur extracts to cure cough, fever, and other symptoms of the plague.
Today, alternative medicine practitioners use butterbur as a natural migraine treatment, in addition to relieving stomach ulcers, stomach pain, hay fever, insomnia, anxiety, and urinary tract spasms.

How does butterbur help to prevent migraines?

Some butterbur root extracts contain petasin (sesquiterpene) and isopetasin, two chemicals that are scientifically proven to help reduce the frequency of migraines.

Here are just a few of the beneficial properties of petasin from butterbur-

Petasin reduces inflammation resulting from sinus headaches by inhibiting leukotriene production.
Petasin acts a natural antihistamine, only without causing drowsiness.
Petasin promotes calcium absorption.
Petasin keeps your blood pressure normal, reducing your chances of suffering from hypertension.
Petasin is effective as an antispasmodic agent for its ability to reduce spasms and swelling of the blood vessels.
In one US study on butterbur and migraine prevention, 77% of migraine patients given butterbur supplements saw a reduction in migraine frequency by at least 50%. Numerous other studies provided similar results with butterbur, magnesium, riboflavin, Feverfew, and coenzyme Q10 as natural migraine treatments. (For more info on alternative migraine prophylaxis, read Natural Migraine Remedies: 9 Must-Take Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs)

What are pyrrolizidine alkaloids (Pas)?

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are toxic chemicals that occur naturally in certain plants, including the butterbur species. Pyrrolizidine alkaloid poisoning can cause cancer and severe liver damage. The first symptoms of PA poisoning are stomachache, diarrhea, vomiting, and ascites, an accumulation of fluid in the abdomen. Long-term pyrrolizidine alkaloid usage can be fatal, but can be avoided with discontinuation of PAs before liver damage has occurred.

If you are using a supplement containing butterbur, please ensure that it is free of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs).

Do all butterbur supplements have PAs?

No. Some manufacturers of dietary supplements use butterbur roots that are certified PA-free. This means that pyrrolizidine alkaloids were carefully extracted from the plant before manufacturing, and are completely safe for use. Not all natural butterbur supplements are PA-free, so look for the guarantee before using.

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Please tell us…

Have you been considering using natural migraine treatments, but were afraid that they weren’t safe or effective? Has this article changed your opinion or answered any concerns you had about butterbur? If not, please let us know.