Detailed Product Description

The Butterbur (Petasites japonicus) has been a staple of the Japanese diet for many years and is one of the few vegetables native to Japan. Besides being recognized for its value as a staple food item it has also demonstrated anti-allergenic properties in recent studies and clinical trials. 

The Butterbur plant contains flavor constituents, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and many polyphenols. The anti-allergenic properties of the aerial portion of the plant can be attributed to the eremophilane type sesquiterpenes (of which Petasin & Iso-Petasin are major constituents), fukinone and 2?-hydroxyfukinone. An advantage to using the aerial portion of the plant, the portion consumed as food, is that it does not contain the high levels of PA's (pyrrolizidine alkaloids) found in the root and rhizome. 

Butterbur Extract has exhibited the ability to inhibit the degranulation of mast cells, release of leukotrienes and TNF-? production all of which are associated with the inflammation and mucous secretions related to allergic rhinitis. 

Our Butterbur Extract is available in a food grade powder that utilizes the aerial portions of the Petasites japonicus including the leaves and stems.