Butterbur has been used for centuries to treat upper respiratory disorders, such as asthma and whooping cough. Butterbur’s anti-inflammatory action helps calm the reactive airways seen in asthma and bronchitis. Scientific studies found that, butterbur’s effectiveness in treating upper respiratory diseases is attributed to the antispasmodic properties of the petasin constituent.
The leaves of the butterbur were used as a mucus-reducing cough remedy in traditional medicine to relieve bronchial asthma and whooping cough in ancient times. According to a clinical study conducted in Poland in 1998. All three test groups exhibited a decrease in bronchial reactivity after consume butterbur (petasites) extracts. The results of the study indicate butterbur (petasites) might be helpful in improving lung ventilation in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive bronchitis.
Butterbur (Petasites) extracts are standardized to contain a minimum of 7.5 mg of petasin and isopetasin. The adult dosage for treatment of asthma, bronchitis, cough and upper respiratory disorders ranges from 50 to 75 mg twice per day.
Please note: Do not consume raw butterbur plant because it has toxic properties. Butterbur contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which are known liver toxins with carcinogenic and mutagenic potential. The standardized supplements must be free of hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
