Butterbur Extract (Urovex) - 60 sg

UPC: 021078017172
# SN1717

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.