Butterbur
Petasites hybridus (L.) G.Gaertn., B.Mey. & Scherb.Asteraceae // rhizome · leaf extracts
Overview
Plant parts
rhizome, leaf extracts
Known constituents
petasins, pyrrolizidine alkaloids
Research corpus coverage
Chemistry notes
- CHEMISTRY: Relevant reported constituents include petasins; pyrrolizidine alkaloids; constituent presence alone does not establish clinical efficacy.
Uses & Evidence
Traditional / historical use
Documented traditional use — not a claim of established efficacy.
TRADITIONAL: Butterbur has been used for migraine; allergic rhinitis; this records historical/traditional use and does not establish efficacy.
MODERATE · evidence synthesis/fact sheet · NCCIH Herbs at a Glance
Modern evidence
EVIDENCE: For the major use set (migraine; allergic rhinitis), the evidence assessment is limited/mixed: Some trials suggested migraine prevention, but safety, product withdrawal and PA contamination limit use; evidence for allergy is insufficient.
MODERATE · randomized controlled trial · NCCIH Herbs at a Glance
Mixed findings, product heterogeneity, or indirect evidence are preserved in the detailed profile.
Preparation
Forms used traditionally
A listed form does not imply it suits every plant part, or that one preparation is interchangeable with another — see the plant’s own notes below.
PREPARATION: The medicinal material is rhizome; leaf extracts; traditional and modern forms include decoction, tincture, powder/capsule, standardized extract, infusion/tea, extract. No dose or potency is specified.
MODERATE · regulatory monograph · EMA European Union herbal monographs and list entries
Preparation-specific evidence should not be generalized across extracts, teas, oils, or whole herb.
Safety
Additional safety notes (general, unstructured)
Free-text safety notes carried from their source — not broken out by species, route, or hazard type, and not equivalent to the structured records above. Each note names the kind of source it came from.
SAFETY: Major issues include PAs cause liver injury and are carcinogenic; even PA-free products have liver-injury reports. Contraindications/cautions include Liver disease; pregnancy; children without specialist oversight.
HIGH · observational/case series and expert review · LiverTox: Herbal and Dietary Supplements
SAFETY: Clinically relevant interaction concerns include Avoid with hepatotoxic drugs; possible CYP interactions.
MODERATE · observational/case series and expert review · LiverTox: Herbal and Dietary Supplements
Some interactions are theoretical or based on case reports/pharmacokinetics rather than outcome trials.
SAFETY: Pregnancy/lactation reference: Avoid in pregnancy/lactation.
MODERATE · regulatory monograph or evidence synthesis · NCCIH Herbs at a Glance
Absence of evidence is not evidence of safety.
Preparation × species risk matrix
Unknown means insufficient evidence was located — not that a form is safe.
Cats
- tinctureCaution
- concentrated extractUnknown
- essential oilUnknown
- glyceriteUnknown
- infused oilUnknown
- salveUnknown
- smoke/combustionUnknown
- tea/infusionUnknown
- whole herbUnknown
Dogs
- tinctureCaution
- concentrated extractUnknown
- essential oilUnknown
- glyceriteUnknown
- infused oilUnknown
- salveUnknown
- smoke/combustionUnknown
- tea/infusionUnknown
- whole herbUnknown
Identity
Botanical synonym
Tussilago hybrida L.
Taxonomic identity note
- Butterbur is treated here as Petasites hybridus (L.) G.Gaertn., B.Mey. & Scherb. in the family Asteraceae; recorded older names include Tussilago hybrida L..
Sources
Research records are source-linked but may not yet be editorially reviewed.
- NCCIH Herbs at a Glance3 claims
NCCIH fact sheet
NIH LiverTox monograph
- Plants of the World Online1 claim
botanical taxonomy database
EMA monograph
WHO monograph