| Migraineurs would prefer not to have | | | | Migraine frequency reduction ranged from 37% |
| migraines at all. If headache cannot be | | | | - 62% among study participants, with almost |
| eliminated, reducing the number of migraine | | | | no side effects. The only side effect |
| episodes they experience would certainly be | | | | reported was minor gastrointestinal upset, |
| an improvement. It would be even better if | | | | and that was in a small portion of both the |
| it could be done without synthetic | | | | herb and placebo groups. Butterbur is |
| pharmacologicals. | | | | currently considered to be safe, as of this |
| | | | writing, to take with other migraine |
| Migraineurs, meet butterbur (Petasites | | | | medications. A healthcare professional |
| hybridus). Butterbur is a shrub native to | | | | should always be included in the decision to |
| southwestern Asia, Europe, and northern | | | | add herbal products to any treatment regimen. |
| Africa. It is not what's above ground that | | | | |
| makes it interesting though, it's the root. | | | | Crude butterbur contains pyrrolizidine |
| Several studies have shown that daily doses | | | | alkaloids (PAs). These alkaloids are known |
| of extract of butterbur root reduced the | | | | to be toxic in humans, particularly to the |
| frequency of migraine episodes by | | | | liver. When choosing butterbur, make sure |
| approximately 50% in almost 80% of the | | | | the product is labeled PA-free. |
| participants. | | | | |
| | | | The amount of alkaloids in butterbur root is |
| Butterbur is used in Europe and Asia, but | | | | minimal, less than 0.01% concentration. Most |
| only in the last decade have American doctors | | | | butterbur treatment regimens recommend taking |
| looked at it as a viable herbal preventative | | | | the supplement for a maximum of for to six |
| for migraineurs. Double blind, | | | | months. If migraine frequency increases, it |
| placebo-controlled studies conducted in 2000, | | | | is safe to take again for another 4-6 months, |
| 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 all confirmed the | | | | but at least a month needs to separate each |
| herb's efficacy. | | | | course of treatment. |
| | | | |