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"There is no connection made between food and health. People are fed by the food industry, which pays no attention to health, and are healed by the health industry, which pays no attention to food." Wendell Berry

"Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food." Hippocrates

This website is provided by Herbalist Rose Kalajian, who owns and operates the Natural Health Hut Clinic, Educational Center and Organic Herb Farm. For more information about Rose, visit www.imherbalist.com. This library is intended for research and informational purposes only. Sources are provided wherever possible . This web site is under construction. Please report any broken links or other problems to andi@imherbalist.com. Suggestions are welcome.

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Butterbur Helps Treat Asthma

By Michael Castleman

The Herb Quarterly, Summer 2006

A few issues ago, I reported on studies showing that butterbur (Petasites hybridus) helps relieve migraines. Now a study in Alternative Medicine Review shows that it helps treat asthma as well.

Butterbur came to the attention of asthma researchers thanks to pilot studies showing that the herb improves lung function. German researchers gave the herb extract to 80 asthma sufferers, aged six to 85 (150 mg to the adults, 50 to 150 mg to the children, depending on their age). Participants in the four-month study were instructed to continue with their other prescription medications, taking the herb as a supplement. Before and after tests showed that while taking butterbur, two-thirds of the participants enjoyed significantly improved function. Compared to the baseline, they suffered fewer asthma attacks, and those attacks that did occur were shorter and milder. In addition, about half of the participants taking prescribed medication were able to reduce their dosage. Seven participants (8 percent) reported side effects.

Unprocessed butterbur contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can harm the liver, but these compounds have been removed from commercial extracts. If you have asthma, talk to your doctor about adding butterbur to your treatment program.

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This library is intended for research and informational purposes only. Wherever possible, credit is given for sources . YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SPEAK WITH A QUALIFIED PRACTITIONER BEFORE TAKING ANY DIETARY, NUTRITIONAL, HERBAL OR HOMEOPATHIC REMEDY. No medical claims are being made, nor should any information on this web site be inferred as such.