Butterbur Root May Work for Migraines

Butterbur Root May Work for Migraines

ESSEN, Germany--Butterbur root extract (as Petadolex from Weber& Weber) may help prevent migraine headaches in chronic migraine sufferers,according to a study published in European Neurology (51,2: 89-97, 2004)(http://content.karger.com).

The double blind, placebo-controlled study involved 60 male and femalesubjects (ages 18 to 60) who suffered from chronic migraines for a minimum ofone year. After a four-week washout period to remove any prior medication fromtheir systems, subjects received either two capsules containing 25 mg each ofbutterbur or placebo twice a day for 12 weeks. Migraine frequency was reducedfrom 3.4 attacks per month to 1.8 attacks per month in subjects taking thebutterbur extract; attacks were reduced from 2.9 per month to 2.6 in the placebogroup. Approximately 45 percent of subjects taking butterbur responded totreatment, compared to only 15 percent of subjects taking placebo.

An earlier study published in a supplement to Neurology found similarresults (58, Suppl. 3:A472, 2002), which was presented at the 44th AnnualAmerican Headache Society Meeting, held June 21 to 23 in Seattle.

Weber & Webers butterbur root extract contains no pyrrolizidinealkaloids (PAs), a toxic alkaloid found in the roots natural state that hasbeen shown to cause cancer and liver damage); PAs are illegal to sell in theUnited States, according to the company.