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Manager's Corner: Butterbur (or petasites)by Kathleen Boehning Tussilago-petasites' most common names are butterbur or bitterbur , but it is also called "bog rhubarb," "umbrella plant," "butter-dock," and others. It is a common perennial scrub that grows in Europe, Asia and North America. As its aliases imply, it can be found in large colonies in marshy woods and sandy meadows and along banks of rivers and streams. The plant, like its close relative, tussilago-farfara or coltsfoot, sends its thick flower stalk up to bloom in the cold of February or March. Looking like a homely hyacinth, it has fragrant clusters of lavender or beige bell-shaped flowers branched off a four-spike. By April the flowers begin to fade and the leaves begin to appear. It is known as the umbrella plant because its leaves can grow from two to four wide off its center stalk. Nothing can grow in its vicinity as sun and air are blocked. Small birds and animals use it as a refuge from rain. The term butterbur comes from the use of the leaves as a wrapping for butter during the heat of summer. Petasites is derived from the Greek petasos a word for large brimmed hat. I have also seen it called petasites officinalis as well as hybridus. Petasites has been used medicinally since the Middle Ages. The root was dried and pounded to a powder and mixed in wine and used against the plague, fevers, ulcers, colic and worms. Culpepper said it strengthened the heart, took away all spots and blemishes and was good for those who wheeze much . Even today it is used as an effective antispasmodic as well as a soothing, demulcent expectorant and anti-tussive with sedative and analgesic properties. It s used for asthma, bronchitis, allergies, coughs. In studies conducted in Europe, it has been shown to be one of the most effective treatments for pain of migraines, especially prophylactically. It has also been shown to be affective on the stomach and biliary system, for acute and chronic gastritis and gastroduodenitis, relieving painful spasms. So too is it helpful for spasms of the urinary tract, the gallbladder, lower back as well as for menstrual cramps. A study published in the January 19, 2002 issue of the British Medical Journal showed butterbur to be as effective as the antihistamine cetrizine in people with pollen allergies. It also has been shown to have anti-cancer ability as well as provide relief from the pain from tumors. Petasites contains a potentially hepotoxic chemical called pyrrolizidine. Products like Herb Pharm's cough and respiratory congestion liquid formula Wild Cherry and Petasites Compound, and Gaia's tinctures for anti-coughing Wild Cherry Supreme and their headache, cramp and inflammation formula, Feverfew/Jamaican Dogwood Supreme , all have this alkaloid removed. Petasites is also available by itself as a tincture or in capsules, but by special order. It is contraindicated for use during pregnancy. SOURCES: Thorne Research, Inc, Alternative Medicine Review; Modern Herbal, by M. Grieve; British Medical Journal 2002 (324):144-46; Herbal Medicine, by R.F. Weiss, MD (1956); Herbal Medicine, Healing and Cancer, by Donald Yance (1999); Therapeutic Herb Manual, by Ed Smith (1999); Herbal Solutions for Healthy Living , by Richard Scalzo (2001). |
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