Petasites hybridus,butterbur root,from tradition to modern uses.

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Medical uses for Petasites.

Petasites hybridus Extract INCI Name Petasites Hybridus Extract CAS:90082-63-6 EINECS ELINCS No 290-153-1 Butterbur root extract Petasin photo picture image Migraine Headache: Two clinical studies using 50 mg and 75 mg of a standardized Petasites extract twice daily for 12 weeks demonstrated its effectiveness as a prophylactic treatment for migraines. When used to treat migraines, administration is prophylactic and supplementation should be carried out daily for a few weeks and then tapered until migraine incidence begins to increase. Petasites may work by preventing peptidoleukotriene biosynthesis.

 Asthma Bronchitis: Various parts of the petasites plant have been used for centuries to treat bronchial asthma and whooping cough. Petasites' possible effectiveness in treating respiratory disorders such as asthma and bronchitis is attributed to the antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties of the petasin constituent. (see below)

 Gastrointestinal Disorders: A German study found extracts of Petasites blocked ethanol-induced gastric damage and reduced ulcerations of the small intestine caused by indomethacin, an anti-inflammatory drug used to treat arthritic conditions. The results of this study were attributed to inhibition of lipoxygenase activity and leukotriene biosynthesis.

 Clinical Indications Migraine Headache:

 Two clinical studies using 50 mg of a standardized Petasites extract twice daily for 12 weeks demonstrated its effectiveness as a prophylactic treatment for migraines. Both studies were doubleblind, placebo controlled, and involved a total of 128 patients. The results of the two studies showed a significant reduction (as much as 60%) in frequency of migraine attacks compared to placebo. Other improvements in the Petasites group included a reduction in the number of days with migraines per month, a decrease in migraine-associated symptoms, and diminished duration and intensity of pain. No adverse reactions were reported in either study. Butterbur extract's high degree of efficacy and excellent tolerability accentuates its value in the prophylactic treatment of migraines.

 Asthma or Bronchitis:

 Various parts of the butterbur plant have been used for centuries to treat bronchial asthma and whooping cough, and in folk medicine the leaves of the plant were used as a mucus-reducing cough remedy. Butterbur's ostensible effectiveness in treating upper respiratory disorders such as asthma and bronchitis is attributed to the antispasmodic properties of the petasin constituent. The plant's anti-inflammatory action would also help calm the reactive airways seen in both asthma and bronchitis. A Polish clinical study conducted in 1998 examined the influence of Petasites on lung ventilation and bronchial reactivity in patients suffering from asthma or chronic obstructive bronchitis. The study included three test groups and two control groups. Test Group A exhibited an improvement in forced expiratory volume (FEV1) three hours after an oral dose of 600 mg Petasites extract. Group B experienced a significant decrease in bronchial reactivity two hours after receiving an oral dose of 600 mg Petasites extract. Group C patients were treated for 14 days and received 600 mg of the extract three times daily. Some patients (n=10) were also given corticosteroids due to disease severity. All three groups exhibited a decrease in bronchial reactivity, but the patients in Group C who received no corticosteroids had the most pronounced results. These results indicate Petasites might be helpful in improving lung ventilation in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive bronchitis.

 Gastrointestinal:

 Disorders Butterbur's use as an antispasmodic for gastrointestinal conditions dates back to the Middle Ages. The leaves and rhizomes were used to treat spasms of the digestive tract associated with colic, plague, and bile flow obstruction. A German study conducted in 1993 found ethanolic extracts of Petasites hybridus blocked ethanol-induced gastric damage and reduced ulcerations of the small intestine caused by indomethacin, an anti-inflammatory drug used to treat arthritic conditions. The results of this study were attributed to inhibition of lipoxygenase activity and leukotriene biosynthesis.

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citations1.Petasites hybridus,butterbur root,from tradition to modern uses.

last edit date:23th,June.2009.