Active ingredients in Petasites
Petasin, a kind of sesquiterpene ester, appears to be a major active compound of
petasites hybridus extract. It has inhibitory activities on leukotriene generation in
eosinophils and neutrophils. This indicates that it may have anti-inflammatory and
anti-allergy properties. Petasites may be helpful for seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Petasites also helps reduce smooth muscle spasm.
Enzymatic Therapy -
Petadolex, 60 Softgels
Petadolex contains the patented extract of butterbur that supports healthy
blood vessel tone in the brain, as well as normal blood flow in the
brain.* It has been the subject of two placebo-controlled clinical
studies. In the most recent, participants reported a 62% improvement."
Petadolex is standardized to contain 15% of butterbur's key ingredient, petasin. It's also guaranteed to be pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) free, so you can use it with confidence. PA's are toxic compounds that can harm the liver. Studies demonstrate patented Petadolex is safe and well tolerated.
Click here to buy Petasites product or to sign up to a FREE newsletter
Medical uses for Petasites
Allergic rhinitis
A placebo-controlled evaluation of butterbur
and fexofenadine on objective and subjective outcomes in perennial allergic
rhinitis.
Clin Exp Allergy. 2004;34:646-9.
Lee DK, Gray RD, Robb FM et al.
There are presently no placebo-controlled data
regarding the effects of butterbur on subjective and objective outcomes in
patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. Objective We performed a
placebo-controlled evaluation of the effects of butterbur and fexofenadine (FEX) on
subjective and objective outcomes in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis.
Methods Sixteen patients with perennial allergic rhinitis and house dust mite
sensitization were randomized in double-blind cross-over fashion to receive for
1 week either butterbur 50 mg twice daily, FEX 180 mg once daily and placebo (PL) once
daily, or PL twice daily. The peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) response to
adenosine monophosphate (AMP) challenge administered as a single 400 mg/mL dose
was measured over a 60-min period after challenge, and domiciliary total nasal
symptom score was recorded. Butterbur and fexofenadine, in comparison to placebo,
were equally effective in attenuating the nasal response to AMP and in improving
nasal symptoms, highlighting a potential role for BB in the treatment of
allergic rhinitis.
Migraine Headache: Two clinical studies using 50 mg and 75 mg of a standardized
Petasites extract twice daily for 12 weeks demonstrated its effectiveness as a
prophylactic treatment for migraine headaches. When used to treat migraines, administration is
prophylactic and supplementation should be carried out daily for a few weeks and then
tapered until migraine incidence begins to increase. Petasites may work by preventing
peptidoleukotriene biosynthesis.
Asthma and Bronchitis: Various parts of the petasites plant have
been used for centuries to treat bronchial asthma and whooping cough. Petasites’
possible effectiveness in treating respiratory disorders such as asthma and bronchitis is
attributed to the antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties of the petasin
constituent.
Petasites hybridus (Butterbur root) extract in the treatment of asthma - an open
trial.
Danesch UC.
University of Heidelberg, Germany; past research position, Stanford School of
Medicine; Research and development, Weber and Weber. Correspondence address:
Muenchner Strasse 13, D-82061, Neuried, Germany.
Altern Med Rev. 2004 Mar;9(1):54-62.
The efficacy and tolerability of a butterbur root extract (Petadolex) for the
treatment of asthma was analyzed in a prospective, non-randomized, open trial.
Subjects included 64 adults and 16 children/adolescents treated for two months
with the extract, followed by two months during which the intake of the extract
was optional. Concomitant asthma medication was permitted. The number, duration,
and severity of asthma attacks decreased, while peak flow, forced expiratory
volume (FEV1), and all measured symptoms improved during therapy. In addition,
more than 40 percent of patients using asthma medications at baseline reduced
intake of these medications by the end of the study. This study suggests the Petasites hybridus extract Petadolex is an effective and safe therapy for the
treatment of asthma.
Gastrointestinal Disorders: A German study found extracts of
Petasites blocked ethanol-induced gastric damage and reduced ulcerations of the small
intestine caused by indomethacin, an anti-inflammatory drug used to treat arthritic
conditions. The results of this study were attributed to inhibition of lipoxygenase
activity and leukotriene biosynthesis.
Petasites Safety
Petasites has not been studied extensively enough to determine its side effects.
Petasites Dosage
Typically, Petasites extracts are standardized to contain a minimum of 7.5 mg of
petasin and isopetasin. The adult dosage ranges from 50-100 mg twice daily with meals.