If you’re looking for the best butterbur supplements to buy this year, then you’ve come to the right place. You can also get more info by jumping to our Butterbur Supplements Guide.
Top 10 Butterbur Supplements
| #1 |  |
Swanson Superior Herbs Butterbur Extract | More Info |
| #2 |  |
NOW Foods Butterbur | More Info |
| #3 |  |
Solaray Butterbur Extract | More Info |
| #4 |  |
Vitacost Butterbur Extract | More Info |
| #5 |  |
Vitanica Butterbur Extra | More Info |
| #6 |  |
Source Naturals Butterbur Extract | More Info |
| #7 |  |
Piping Rock Health Products Butterbur Extract | More Info |
| #8 |  |
Life Extension MIGRA-Eeze Butterbur-Ginger-Riboflavin | More Info |
| #9 |  |
Planetary Herbals Butterbur Extract | More Info |
| #10 |  |
NutriCargo Butterbur Powder | More Info |
Butterbur Supplements Guide
Butterbur, which is also known by its scientific name “Petasites”, lies in the wilderness of places that have plenty of shade and a gentle source of water nearby. However, some herbal enthusiasts have managed to cultivate it in their backyard gardens too. At first glance, those who have never studied herbs before may confuse it with a crop of rhubarb. It grows in the same large clumps, and its leaves are just as large and frilly. But the stalks don’t have the same telltale red color as the common summer ingredient for pies does. Some have claimed that its leaf shape causes it to be related to the sunflower. Others say it is in the ragweed family of plants because of the unique flower that sits atop it. But either way, it has powerful medicinal properties that have proved helpful to those who found no relief in anything else. So supplements containing it should be kept on hand after a person learns the following information about it and how to use it properly.
What is Butterbur?
There are several kinds of butterbur, and each one is used in different ways. But the most common one propagated for herbal supplements is Petasites hybridus. The largest part of the plant is the leaves, so this is the area that gets trimmed off. The leaves at the bottom are used first, since they are the largest. The ones in the center are smaller, new leaves. This method of harvesting also preserves the remainder of the plant, so it doesn’t die off. The leaves contain two active ingredients called “petasin” and “isopetasin” that offer a wide range of health properties to the body externally and internally.
Benefits of Butterbur
The most common way to use butterbur is to treat migraine headaches. Some say that it takes away the pain better than many over-the-counter products. But the results vary for each person. Studies have shown that the most common cause of migraines in a person is reduced mitochondrial efficiency. Riboflavin helps improve this aspect of the brain, so people suffering from this condition are often encouraged to take it simultaneously with butterbur. CoQ10 is also helpful. Butterbur alleviates the pain of any bad headache though. So it can be taken as soon as the symptoms begin. Some people also take it daily as a preventative measure to guard against the symptoms starting in the first place though. It works as an antispasmodic on the walls of the vascular system of the brain, which improves blood flow.
The heart and lungs are strengthened by this herb. It is also commonly used to treat upper respiratory problems, such as asthma. And although some say it is related to ragweed, it actually helps reduce allergy symptoms in people who struggle with pollen and grass causing discomfort.
Butterbur reduces inflammation and swelling if it is used as a poultice applied directly to the affected area. Capsules of the dried, powdered product can be poured onto a clean, damp piece of gauze to cover wounds, bites, and stings. And as an added bonus, it alleviates pain in the localized regions.
Many years ago, butterbur was used as an anti-parasitic when wormwood wasn’t available. It was ingested internally to clear away an infection of tapeworms or hookworms. But there hasn’t been any recent research in regards to whether or not it is effective at this task because finding study participants who have a parasitic infestation is difficult in modern times.
Are There Any Side Effects?
The only major problem with taking butterbur is that it contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can damage the heart, lungs, kidneys and liver if it is used for too long. But without dismissing the seriousness of this potential danger, it should be noted that this factor doesn’t have to prevent a person from using the supplement. The pyrrolizidine alkaloids are only in capsules containing the dried, powdered leaves. Some only have the petasin and isopetasin extracts in them. So they are a preferable substitute for those who have concerns about how this product could affect their health. But once the pyrrolizidine alkaloids are removed, someone can get different side effects. Instead of an alleviation of a headache, they may find that it worsens or there is an increased occurrence in the amount of headaches that they get. Some also get diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. And it can make people who take it very tired.
People who take medications for their liver shouldn’t take butterbur because it could affect their absorption of them. And those who take any other supplements to help their body absorb vitamins, minerals, and the active ingredients of other products might not want to use it either. In these cases, it can cause someone to absorb more of its toxic chemicals than they normally would.
How to Take Butterbur
The dosage used for this supplement varies depending on what symptoms that someone is having. But for the most part, up to four grams of the dried, powdered version of butterbur should be taken a day. If it is purchased in capsules for the prevention of migraines, then about 50 milligrams can be taken safely on a daily basis. Severe, debilitating migraine pain can be treated with 100 milligrams of butterbur, but it is best not to use this dosage for long. Asthma and allergy sufferers take a more concentrated dose of 50 milligrams about four times a day.
Unlike many other supplements, this one is safe for children. But they should take half of the regular dose that an adult does. Those who are over the age of six-years-old can start with about 25 milligrams of butterbur twice a day for the treatment of either allergies or migraines.
To avoid the gastrointestinal upset that can occur with this supplement, it helps to take it with a meal. It should never be taken at the same time as other supplements or prescription medications because it could stress the liver further. Those who take medications that stay in the body for a long time should consult their doctor first before they start taking it to avoid a possible drug interaction from occurring.
What to Look for in a Good Butterbur Supplement
This supplement is safe and effective if it comes from a reputable source. Not all herbal supplement companies are trustworthy though. So the most important thing that a person should look for in a supplement containing butterbur is the reliability of the company selling it. How long that they have been in business and the reviews that their customers give on their website says a lot about how much that they care about making good products.
The price of the supplement is an important factor too. If they sell it at too cheap of a cost or an excessively high price, they are probably scamming people. This plant grows easily, and it isn’t rare. So if a company is claiming that it is a special variety that they have to charge extra for, they are probably lying. Too cheap of a product could contain extra filler ingredients that decrease the potency. Or it could have very little of the active ingredient at all.
And of course, the active ingredients in the butterbur supplement matters. For the safest option, it is best to choose one that only has petasin and isopetasin because the other whole-leaf capsules could potentially cause dangerous side effects.
Customers should also never buy butterbur supplements from any company that claims that it is a cure-all for any disease. It should only be used for treating the symptoms that have been mentioned in this supplement guide. Other claims that they are making could be demonstrative of their lack of knowledge in the field of naturopathy. So they probably aren’t a good company to go through.
The post 10 Best Butterbur Supplements – Reviewed & Ranked for 2017 appeared first on Supplement Hound - Supplement Reviews for 2016.
from Supplement Hound – Supplement Reviews for 2016 http://supplementhound.com/best-butterbur-supplements/
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