Butterbur for Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis

A 2002 study found that butterbur was similarly effective to cetirizine at treating seasonal allergic rhinitis over 2 weeks. The butterbur extract was taken four times per day vs the once daily dosing of cetirizine. However, drowsiness was common in the cetirizine group but not in the butterbur group. Butterbur contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which can be toxic to the liver. Some people may be allergic to butterbur. Butterbur may cause gastrointestinal or other side effects.

Schapowal A; Petasites Study Group. Randomised controlled trial of butterbur and cetirizine for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis. BMJ. 2002 Jan 19;324(7330):144-6. doi: 10.1136/bmj.324.7330.144. PMID: 11799030; PMCID: PMC64514.

“Butterbur.” NCCIH, www.nccih.nih.gov/health/butterbur.