Is Butterbur Safe?

Butterbur are Small Eurasian herbs that have broad leaves and lilac-pink rayless flowers (definition). This herb is found in moist areas. It is also known as butterfly doc, flapperdock, Langwort, Umbrella Plan, blatterdock, Bog Rhubarb, Devil's Hat and Pestilence Wort. It is extensively found in Asia, North America, North Africa and Europe.

It has many medicinal uses and has been used as herbal medicines for centuries. Though it is being used as a commercial medicine only since a few decades.

Is It Safe?
No! Butterbur is not really safe. Butterbur's leaves, bulbs, and roots, all are used to make medicines. It is safe to use it only if the chemical 'Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids' (PAs) are removed from it. Butterbur herb has this chemical in it inherently; which is a toxin and it can be carcinogenic. Butterbur if used without removing the Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids from it, can cause hazardous problems to the liver and the lungs. Therefore, only those products that mention "Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids- Free" should be utilized.

What Does it Treat?
Because of its constituents, Butterbur can cure the following ailments.

1. Hay Fever
2. Migraine
3. Respiratory Allergies
4. Urinary Incontinence
5. Headache
6. Asthma
7. Stress
8. Stammering
9. Cough
10. Wounds

You maybe treating yourself for the above mentioned diseases, but if you were on herbal medication or you were consuming medicines that were not Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids- free, then check out the harmful effects listed below.