Butterbur extract for allergic rhinitis

Nutrition Health Review, Summer, 2004

SWITZERLAND--Swiss researchers recently investigated whether butterbur extract Ze339 could be Used as a safe and effective treatment for rhinitits, an inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes.

The study used a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group comparison of 186 patients. After the patients were tested for allergic rhinitis, they received a high dose of butterbur extract, a low dose of the extract, or a placebo for two weeks.

The patients taking the butterbur extract experienced significantly greater improvement than the patients in the placebo group. None of the groups experienced distinguishable adverse effects during the study.

(Source: Archives of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. 2004; 130:1381-1386.)