Petasites hybridus
(Butterbur, Bladderdock, Bog Rhubarb)

Therapeutic Actions:

• Appetite stimulant
• Anodyne
• Antiinflammatory
• Antispasmodic
• Inhibits leukotriene synthesis in the arachidonic acid cycle providing an antiinflammatory effect
• Protects from ulcer formation and cell damage due to leukotriene inhibition
• Reduces spontaneous activity and spasms in smooth muscle and vascular walls
• Vasodilatory

Clinical Indications:

• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Dysmenorrhea
• Headache, tension
• Migraine
• Peptic ulcer
• Cervical-thoracic syndrome
• Cough
• Cramp, intestinal
• Cramp, stomach
• Pain, lumbosacral
• Renal calculus (kidney stone)
• Vesical calculus (bladder stone)

Contraindications:

• Lactation
• Pregnancy

Drug/Nutrient Interaction:

• No interactions have been reported

Chemical Constituents:

• 3-Isopetasanestern
• Isopetasin
• Petasin
• Pyrrolizidine alkaloids

Toxicity:

• Do NOT use unprocessed Petasite due to the alkaloids although alkaloid-free varieties are cultivated under laboratory conditions
• Pyrrolizidine alkaloids may cause:
  
  Birth defects
  Cancer
  Genetic damage
  Liver damage
  

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).