As you consider your natural supplements options, you may see many unfamiliar and strange ingredients that give you pause— and rightfully so. Not every botanical ingredient is safe for medicinal use, so it’s important to research the ingredients in any new product you try.

However, you’re thinking of trying a product that contains butterbur root extract, you’re in luck. We’re here to tell you that it has many benefits as long as it’s used safely. Here’s what you need to know about butterbur.

How to tell if butterbur root is safe

Raw, unprocessed butterbur contains chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids, also known as PAs. These can damage the liver and even cause cancer if ingested. To remove these toxins, the solution is to process the butterbur plant with methods that remove the dangerous PAs. Once that is accomplished, butterbur extract and other processed preparations are safe.

Always check labels to see if a product containing butterbur has been certified PA-free before use. If you can’t tell if it’s certified PA-free, don’t risk it. And yes, processing butterbur means it’s no longer organic, but in this case that’s better than being highly poisonous!

Benefits of butterbur extract

Butterbur is a member of the sunflower family and has been used to treat a variety of ailments for thousands of years. The plant contains multiple chemicals that do different things in the body. For instance, petasin and isopetasin are believed to reduce inflammation. Isopetasin also decreases the activity of the protein TRPA1 that is found on sensory neurons. By inhibiting this protein, butterbur may decrease neuron sensitivity and relieve pain.

Butterbur also contains flavonoids in its leaves. Flavonoids are antioxidants just like those found in your favorite fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants fight the free radicals that break down our cells. Consuming antioxidants is known to minimize the risks of many major diseases and extend life.

With all these good components of butterbur, it’s no wonder that its extracts continue to be a natural option for many different uses. Here’s a few main ailments that butterbur extracts are thought to have an impact on:

Migraines: Some studies have found butterbur root extract effective in reducing the number migraines experienced by test subjects when taken regularly by mouth over the course of 16 weeks. Researchers of butterbur for migraines found extracts made from the root of the plant seemed most effective. Studies show that butterbur extract reduced migraines for children and adolescents as well.

Hay fever and allergies: Butterbur leaf and root extracts seem to reduce nasal inflammation in people suffering from hay fever. Studies found that after two weeks of treatment, individuals found relief from seasonal allergies comparable to the relief achieved with name brand pharmaceuticals.

Asthma: Because it’s known to reduce inflammation, several studies have been performed to determine the efficacy of butterbur extract for asthma patients, with promising results.

Should you try butterbur root extract?

Butterbur extracts are generally considered safe for human consumption and use, although there have been few studies done on its safety for topical or long-term use. Like we said before, just make sure any product you use containing butterbur is certified PA-free, like the butterbur root extract included in Airloom.

As with all medicinal botanicals, check with a doctor before combining butterbur products with any medications. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not use butterbur, neither should people who are known to be severely allergic to ragweed, daisies, marigolds, or related plants.

Like any herb containing chemicals, there’s always a chance for side effects. The most commonly associated side effects with butterbur are belching, headache, itchy eyes, and diarrhea, but most people tolerate butterbur just fine, especially in small doses.

For someone suffering from migraines or hay fever who has found little relief with modern pharmaceuticals, remedies containing butterbur root extract might be effective alternatives. The longevity of butterbur as an herbal remedy just might show that our ancestors were onto something when they adopted it as a common cure-all.

Certified PA-free butterbur root extract is one of the ingredients in Airloom, and your safety is our #1 priority. That's why we have chosen to have every batch of Airloom tested by an independent, third-party laboratory before being sold. This extra attention to quality adds to the production cost of Airloom, but it also ensures the highest standards for purity and safety, all while helping create jobs for Americans. 

See the benefits of butterbur root for yourself and save $5 with code ownyourbreath at airloomsupplement.com