PODCAST #26 7-1-08

WELCOME TO THE 26th EDITION OF THE HEALTH AND HAPPINESS PODCAST

The herb Butterbur extract for Migraine and Allergies

   Clinical studies from Germany have positively confirmed that a herbal extract known as butterbur (Petasites hybridus)
May cut the frequency of migraine headaches by up to 50% in long-term migraine sufferers.
   Many people are unaware of this unique supplement, which has been shown to be as effective as many prescription medications in preventing migraine with far fewer side effects.
   When migraine strikes, physicians often recommend (NSAIDs) when these over-the–counter remedies are not enough doctors often prescribe medications such as Imitrex. These drugs are not risk-free. Common side-effects include nausea, dizziness; muscle weakness, drowsiness and rapid heart rate.
   A wide range of prescription migraine-preventives are available, there effectiveness is unpredictable. They are also likely to induce unpleasant side affects.

   Studies suggest that a standardized extract of the herb Butterbur is a powerful migraine preventive agent. Butterbur has been used for more that 2,000 years for conditions ranging from gastric disorders to allergies. Butterbur has been available in Germany as a prescription remedy since 1988. Butterbur is now available in the US as a dietary supplement
  
   A dosage of 50-75 mg. of standardized butterbur extract twice daily for up to four months has reduced the frequency of migraine by 50%. While a dose of 50 mg. twice a day has been used in the management of allergic rhinitis.

   The earliest small study in Germany of 60 patients, in which 33 adults took 50 mg. of standardized butterbur extract twice a day and the remainder, took a placebo. At the study’s start, the subjects suffered an average of 3.3 migraines each month. After 4 weeks of treatment the butterbur group averaged just 1.8 migraines per month. At 12 weeks the butterbur recipients reported and average of 1.7 migraines a month, a 51% decrease.

   In a large study, researchers split 245 patients into three groups to receive: 75 mg. of butterbur extract twice a day, 50 mg. of butterbur extract twice a day, or a placebo. At the end of a four-month treatment period the patients taking 50mg. of butterbur experienced a modest reduction in migraine frequency relative to placebo users. Those taking the 75 mg. dosage, more than two-thirds reported that their incidence of migraine attacks had diminished by at least 50%.

   Other nutritional therapies that may combine with butterbur’s activity to prevent migraine headaches are riboflavin (vitamin B2) 400mg a day and ginger

   At clinics in Germany and Switzerland, a double blind study involving 131 patients confirmed that butterbur is just as effective as Zyrtec TM at calming nasal allergies. Another trail of 186 patients reported equally positive results, those taking butterbur were no more likely to report adverse side effects then those in the placebo group.

   A large study of 508 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis who supplemented with butterbur extract for two weeks found that 90% of participants reported improvements in symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, watery eyes, itchy eyes and nose and red eyes.

That’s all for PODCAST #26. I hope you found it interesting and informative. The next PODCAST will be the week of August 1

IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED ON THE HEALTH AND HAPPINESS PODCAST OUR E-MAIL ADDRESS IS
health@lencolabs.com.

For more information on this subject and other subjects go to www.lencolabs.com, thank you for listening to the health and happiness podcast with--Leonard Austin