A migraine is a severe headache that may be accompanied by visual disturbances and nausea. It usually affects one side of the head and can last from four to 72 hours. Although the exact cause of migraines is unclear, they may be triggered by a variety of factors, including noise, bright light, caffeine, alcohol and stress. If you regularly experience migraines, your doctor may prescribe medicines to help reduce their severity or prevent them from happening. The herb butterbur may also help to relieve symptoms, but evidence to prove that it is effective is limited. Get medical advice before taking it.
Properties and Administration
Butterbur, also known as Petasites hybridus, is an herb that has been traditionally used to treat a number of ailments, including allergic rhinitis, asthma and migraine. It contains compounds known as petasins, which may block calcium channels and help to prevent a migraine. The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests taking 50mg to 75mg of a standardized extract of butterbur twice daily for migraine treatment and prevention. However, this is only a suggestion. Ask your doctor how much you should use.
Efficacy
The results of a study by R.B. Lipton and colleagues published in the December 2004 issue of "Neurology" show that during four months of treatment, migraine attack frequency was reduced by 48 percent in patients who took 75mg of butterbur daily, compared to only 26 percent in patients who took a placebo treatment. The results of the first placebo-controlled trial evaluating butterbur as a migraine therapy, published in the January 2004 issue of "European Neurology," also found that butterbur was an effective prophylactic treatment.
Side Effects and Contraindications
RxList says that butterbur is likely safe, but make sure you choose a preparation that has had harmful chemicals, known as pyrrolizidine alkaloids, removed. Butterbur may cause side effects such as stomach upset, belching, diarrhea and itching. It may also cause an allergic reaction in some people. Do not take this herb if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you have a liver problem or if you are allergic to members of the daisy family of plants. Butterbur may interact with medicines that are modified by the liver, including carbamazepine and phenytoin.
Other Herbal Options
UMMC says that several other herbs that may help to alleviate migraine symptoms, including feverfew. Also known as Tanacetum parthenium, feverfew may help to prevent and treat migraines, although UMMC says that not all studies agree that it works. Like butterbur, feverfew may cause side effects, including nausea and vomiting, and it is unsuitable for people taking anticoagulants. Get medical clearance before using herbs to prevent or treat a migraine.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Migraine Headache
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Butterbur
- PubMed: Petasites Hybridus Root (Butterbur) is an Effective Preventive Treatment for Migraine
- PubMed:The First Placebo-Controlled Trial of a Special Butterbur Root Extract for the Prevention of Migraine: Reanalysis of Efficacy Criteria
- RxList: Butterbur
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