Butterbur for seasonal allergies

What this means

Short-term relief of intermittent seasonal allergic-rhinitis symptoms using a standardized oral butterbur extract comparable to studied PA-free medicinal products.

How to use it: Do not use raw butterbur, homemade butterbur tea, or an unlabeled extract. If butterbur is considered, use only a standardized product clearly labeled or certified PA-free and discuss it with a clinician or pharmacist, especially when other medicines are used.

Safety & cautions

Butterbur naturally contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can damage the liver and may cause cancer. Only PA-free products should even be considered. Rare liver injury has occurred with products reported to be PA-free. Avoid during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and use extra caution with liver disease or allergy to ragweed-family plants.

Get medical care for symptoms that are severe, last longer than expected, get worse, or otherwise concern you.

Household preparations

Practical ways to use the ingredient may not provide the same form or amount discussed in the evidence.

Evidence transparency

Evidence & sources