Butterbur Extract Effective in Migraine Prevention

[Guest guest]

Butterbur Extract Effective in Migraine Prevention

 

 

New Study by International Research Team Shows Positive Benefits

 

Austin, Texas. (January 21, 2005) Medical scientists have found that

the extract of the traditional herb butterbur (Petasites hybridus)

can help prevent painful migraine headaches. According to a new

study published in the December 28 issue of the journal Neurology, a

proprietary standardized extract of the root of butterbur, was

effective in preventing migraines in a randomized, placebo-

controlled clinical trial of 245 migraine sufferers.

 

The results of the trial concluded that the use of two 75 mg tablets

per day of the proprietary butterbur extract Petadolex® (Weber &

Weber International, Windmere, FL) in migraine patients helped to

reduce the occurrence of migraines by an average of 48% during the

four months of the trial. This compared to a reduction of only 26%

in the group that received a placebo. To test whether the efficacy

of the herbal extract depended on the dosage, a third group of

patients was given a lower dosage (50 mg) of Petadolex twice daily,

and the occurrence of migraine headaches was reduced by 36%, but

this was not considered significant compared to the placebo group,

thereby supporting the efficacy of the higher dose of two 75 mg

tablets.

 

Another endpoint that this trial measured was the number of patients

who experienced a reduction of migraines of at least 50% or more. In

the 75 mg Petadolex group, 68% met this criterion compared to only

49% in the placebo group. In addition, this outcome was measured at

1, 2, and 3 months, indicating that the herbal extract effects took

place early in the trial and lasted throughout. The researchers

noted that the efficacy for the butterbur extract was equivalent to

the levels of effectiveness shown for conventional pharmaceutical

anti-migraine drugs.

 

Patients from ages 18 to 65, who met the International Headache

Society criteria for migraine headaches with or without the aura

that often accompanies a migraine, were chosen. Each patient had

experienced 2 to 6 migraines per month for at least 3 months prior

to the study.

 

According to the lead researcher, Richard B. Lipton, MD, vice chair

and professor of neurology at the Albert Einstein College of

Medicine, " Our study shows that butterbur really does reduce the

frequency of migraine attacks, so it's a welcome addition to the

therapeutic arsenal we have available to combat migraine. "

 

Previous research and clinical use of the special butterbur root

extract show that it has a high safety profile. There were few

adverse side effects from butterbur in the new clinical trial; the

most commonly observed side effects involved the gastrointestinal

tract, e.g., burping.

 

" This is really good news for migraine sufferers, " said Mark

Blumenthal, founder and executive director of the American Botanical

Council, an independent nonprofit herb research and education

organization. " This natural medicine has been shown to be safe and

reliable, " he said. " This trial supports previous research conducted

in Europe and helps to ensure that butterbur will become more widely

known and accepted by physicians and consumers alike. " Blumenthal

also noted that scientific research is continuing around the world

on many herbal preparations, many of which, like butterbur root,

have been virtually unknown in the United States.

 

The randomized, double-blind, three-arm, parallel group, placebo

controlled trial was carried out in nine medical centers, including

the Departments of Neurology and Epidemiology and Population Health

at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY; the New York

Headache Center, New York, NY; Innovative Medical Research, a

Division of Advance PCS, Baltimore, MD; and the Pain Clinic and

Christian Albrechts University Kiel and Charite, Department of

Neurology, Humboldt University Berlin, Germany.

 

Petadolex is a patented extract of the traditional butterbur root

(Petasites hybridus) standardized to contain a minimum of petasins.

The extract is manufactured in Germany by Weber and Weber, a

phytomedicine company.

 

 

About the American Botanical Council

 

The American Botanical Council is the nation's leading nonprofit

organization addressing research and educational issues regarding

herbs and medicinal plants. The 16-year-old organization occupies a

2.5 acre site in Austin, Texas, where it publishes HerbalGram, a

peer-reviewed journal. ABC is also the publisher of The ABC Clinical

Guide to Herbs, a continuing education and reference book, which

contains extensive monographs on the safety and efficacy of 29

popular herbs.

 

Contact: Cheryl Dipper

American Botanical Council

P.O. Box 144345, Austin, TX 78714-4345

Phone: 512-926-4900 x121; Fax: 512-926-2345

Web site: www.herbalgram.org

 

 

Sources:

 

Anon. International team of researchers find herbal extract to be

effective in preventing migraine (press release). Bronx, NY: Albert

Einstein College of Medicine. Dec. 28, 2004.

 

Lipton RB, Gobel H, Einhaupl KM, Wilks K, and Mauskop A. Petasites

hybridus root (butterbur) is an effective preventive treatment for

migraine. Neurology Dec. 28, 2004;63:2240-2244.

 

 

Additional Butterbur Resources

 

Standardized Butterbur Extract for Migraine Treatment: A Clinical

Overview

 

Butterbur Extract Shows Promise for Allergic Rhinitis

Treating Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis with Butterbur Extract

Butterbur Extract Improves Symptoms of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis

 

Butterbur Root (Petasites hybridus); Clinical Study in Asthma

Treatment

 

Butterbur Monograph

 

 

Additional Migraine Resources

 

Combination of Feverfew, Magnesium, and Riboflavin for Migraine

Prevention

 

Feverfew Profile from The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs

Feverfew Botanical Booklet

 

 

 

 

American Botanical Council, 6200 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78723

Phone: 512-926-4900 | Fax: 512-926-2345

Website: www.herbalgram.org | Email: abc

[Guest guest]

Butterbur may be good for migraine. However, judging from all other

herbs and medicines (such as feverfew) that I have tried, it is not

nearly as good as three MegaHydrate tablets dissolved in a cup of hot

green tea. As a classic migraine sufferer since puberty, I can tell

you that nothing has ever come as close to an idea cure as this

combination. Recently, I purchased an ORP meter and found the the ORP/

Redox reading for this combination is -900 mV... which is lower

(better) than anything that I have ever tested including fresh juices

of every variety.

 

This cure is not only powerful in its ability to prevent classic

migraine, it will stop an attack at any point in its tracks. If I get

the aura and blind spot, a sure sign of onset, I immediately drink

this combination and then jump on my exercise bike to get my blood flow

up... to speed up delivery. In nearly every case, within fifteen

minutes I can go back to what I was doing and continue as if nothing has

happened. This as opposed to the days when I would be throwing up and

blind for several hours which would subside somewhat then leave me

bedridden. I could trace the development as my left arm numbed and then

finally the left side of my face in much the same way as what is termed

a watershed stroke. I would stay at this level for about 24 hours,

freezing, with a body temperature of 91 deg F or lower, unable to

think clearly or function. Those who have this condition, know exactly

what I am describing.

 

Recently, I learned that classic migraine sufferers have a 10 x risk of

stroke and that the migraine attack itself is life threatening. I can

honestly say that there were times that I would have preferred death to

the attack over the past fifty years.

 

For those who have suffered or are prone to most types of

non-hemorrhagic stroke, this could be a strong clue to prevention.

Given the similarity between stokes and classic migraines, it is

reasonable to assume that above combination would stop a stroke in the

same way. The mechanism is apparently hydration of the blood and both

conditions are commonly caused by blood aggregation.

[Guest guest]

, Jim Clark

<huuman60 wrote:

>

> Butterbur may be good for migraine.

>

> Recently, I learned that classic migraine sufferers have a 10 x

risk of stroke and that the migraine attack itself is life

threatening. I can honestly say that there were times that I would

have preferred death to the attack over the past fifty years.

>

> For those who have suffered or are prone to most types of

> non-hemorrhagic stroke, this could be a strong clue to

prevention. Given the similarity between stokes and classic

migraines, it is reasonable to assume that above combination would

stop a stroke in the same way. The mechanism is apparently

hydration of the blood and both conditions are commonly caused by

blood aggregation.

>

 

 

I can assure you that Butterbur is far superior to feverfew and

white willow. The

supplement you mentioned works on the same principle as optimal

hydration using not distilled but rather maximum amoutns of

pure mineral water. As you say, although not common knowledge,one

of the indications for stroke is insufficient hydration and this

includes many other heart conditions as well.

Blood aggreagation is linked to dehydration.

It stands to reason that when there is not enough pure water

circulating in arteries, the blood will become sticky and much

thicker which leads to strokes and cardiovascular complaints.

High Blood pressure is alsolinked to dehydration. when we consider

the smounts of dehydrating drinks that americans consume, it is

little wonder that we are plagued with so many of these afflictions!

Dr. Lorraine Day claims she conquered cancer and migraine with

gallons of pure water in addition to carrot juices between meals.

 

http://www.drday.com

 

Regards,

JoAnn