Butterbur Extract Urovex™

The Constituents of Butterbur

Butterbur is a herbaceous perennial native to North Asia, North America and Europe that has been the subject of a large number of controlled medical tests over the past decade. The current indications strongly promote its use in treating migraine and other constrictive conditions such as bronchitis and asthma, and also a number of conditions associated with inflammation such as rhinitis and hay fever.

The evidence for its use in treating migraine and allergic rhinitis is overwhelming and basically accepted, but the evidence for its effects on asthmatics less so. What is it about this unremarkable plant that renders it of so much interest to the scientific world?

Its primary constituents are two sesquiterpenes known as petasin and isopetasin, and it also contains minor quantities of furan derivatives and other minor substances. The active sesquiterpenoids are unequally distributed in the plant, most being concentrated in the rhizome. It is important therefore, that only a professionally prepared extract standardized on petasin is used for medicinal purposes.

Petasin and isopetasin are powerful anti-inflammatories, and while petasin itself mediates the effect of leukotrienes on inflammation and helps to prevent constriction and spasms of the smooth muscle walls in blood vessels, its isomer helps reduce inflammation by preventing the metabolism of the prostaglandins that cause it.

There will be many more trials carried out on butterbur before its effects on asthma are properly understood and accepted, and asthmatics should seek the advice of their physician on this potential property. It is commonly accepted, however, as a viable and effective treatment for migraine.

Using Butterbur in Asthma

Asthma has been traditionally treated using long-term control medication and also a short-term medication to relieve occasional spasms in the form of an inhaler. It is not unknown for each of these therapies to lead to adverse systemic side effects, and tests have been continuing on safer alternatives. Butterbur has recently been found to be one of these, having the capacity to improve lung function in patients suffering both bronchitis and asthma.

The effective component of butterbur here is believed to be the sesquiterpene petasin, which displays an ability to act as an anti-spasmodic, reducing muscle spasm in vascular walls and smooth muscles. It also depresses the action of leukotrienes that promote the inflammation that can lead to the restriction of the bronchus in asthma attacks.

While it should not be used as an alternative to prescribed asthma medication, butterburs can be used as a maintenance supplement according to instructions, where tests have indicated that it may reduce the frequency and severity of attacks. However, it is not universally accepted, and you should consult your own doctor if you intend to use butterbur extract in this way and use only a correctly prepared extract rather than use the plant itself.

Butterbur Extract Urovex™

The Effect of Butterbur on Migraine

Butterbur has been well researched for its effects on migraine headaches, and these affects have now been largely accepted by health authorities after a number of tests have confirmed its effectiveness. Butterbur contains a number of phytochemicals, but it is the sesquiterpenoids, given the names petasin and isopetasin, that possess the antispasmodic properties that help to reduce blood vessels spasms in the brain that are believed to be responsible for the pain of migraine.

Petasin is a very powerful anti-inflammatory, which prevents leukotrienes from constricting blood vessels in the brain and leading to spasms in the vessel walls that cause the symptoms of migraine. Additionally, isopetasin modulates the metabolism of prostaglandins that promote inflammation, and together, these two sesquiterpenes that are particularly strong in the rhizome of butterbur, have been successfully used in a large number of tests that have confirmed their positive effect in reducing or eliminating the symptoms of migraine.

The Health Benefits of Butterbur

Butterbur contains two powerful anti-inflammatory substances in petasin and isopetasin, and this small perennial plant has been and still is under investigation for its effects on a number of health issues. It has now been generally accepted that butterbur extract, standardized on its petasin content, is a powerful treatment for migraine, helping both to prevent the conditions that cause migraine and to reduce or eliminate the pain associated with the condition.

Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, butterbur can also be used for a number of conditions caused by inflammation, such as hay fever and allergic rhinitis. These properties of the plant have been demonstrated and generally accepted, and it is also used by some to help wounds to heal quicker. Its effects on asthma, and other conditions involving dilation of smooth muscle tissue, is under investigation although indications seem to suggest that it can be used as a maintenance supplement to help reduce the frequency and severity of attacks.

Butterbur with Feverfew - 60 Vcaps®

PRODUCT #: 4602
UPC: 
733739046024

 
Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) is a native 
shrub of Europe, North America, and Asia that has been used by 
the herbalists for centuries.  Modern scientific studies have 
demonstrated that Butterbur supports healthy blood flow to the 
brain and healthy neurological function.  Petasins, the active 
constituents in Butterbur, have been shown to play a role in 
minimizing the frequency and severity of neurological discomfort 
triggered by bright lights and stress that occasionally occurs 
in healthy individuals.  In addition, Butterbur may help to 
maintain balanced seasonal immune responses.  NOW® Butterbur is 
free of harmful levels of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (PA's), so it 
is safe to use regularly.*
 
Butterbur Extract Fact Sheet 
Nutrition Info   
  Serving Size: 1 Vcap® 
Servings Per 
Container: 60 
 
   Amount Per Serving  % Daily Value 
Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) (Root) (Standardized Extract) 
75 mg    *   
(min. 15% Sesquiterpenes as Petasines) 
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) (Leaf) (min. 0.4% Parthenolides) 
200 mg    *   
* Percent Daily Values are based on 2,000 
calorie diet.
† Daily Value not established. 


 
Details 
Serving Size: 1 Vcap®
 
Suggested Use: As an herbal dietary 
supplement, take 1 Vcap® 2 to 3 times daily.
 
Free of: sugar, 
salt, yeast, wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg or preservatives. 
Vcaps® is a registered trademark of Capsugel.
 
Other 
Ingredients: Cellulose (capsule), Maltodextrin and Silica. 
Vegetarian Formula.
 
Warnings: Caution: Please discard the 
inedible freshness packet.
 
Disclaimers: *This statement has 
not been evaluated by the FDA.  This product is not intended to 
diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

 
Vcaps® is a 
registered trademark of Capsugel.
 
Store in a cool, dry 
place.