Petasites

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Genus of flowering plants in the daisy family Asteraceae

title: "Petasites" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["asteraceae-genera", "medicinal-plants", "petasites", "taxa-named-by-philip-miller", "dioecious-plants"] description: "Genus of flowering plants in the daisy family Asteraceae" topic_path: "general/asteraceae-genera" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petasites" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Genus of flowering plants in the daisy family Asteraceae ::

|image = Petasites hybridus inflorescence - Keila.jpg |image_caption = Petasites hybridus |display_parents = 2 |taxon = Petasites |authority = Mill. |synonyms =

  • Nardosmia Cass.
  • Petasitis Mill. |synonyms_ref = |}} ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/29/Petasites_japonicus_Russia.JPG" caption="''[[Petasites japonicus]]''"] ::

Petasites is a genus of flowering plants in the sunflower family, Asteraceae, that are commonly referred to as butterburs and coltsfoots. They are perennial plants with thick, creeping underground rhizomes and large rhubarb-like leaves during the growing season. Most species are native to Asia or southern Europe.

Taxonomy

The genus name is derived from the Greek word πέτασος petasos, from the plant's broad leaves resembling a wide-brimmed hat.

Species

;Accepted species

;Species of hybrid origin

  • Petasites × vitifolius

;Species formerly included Petasites glacialis (Ledeb.) Polunin - Endocellion glaciale (Ledeb.) Toman

Characteristics

The short spikes of flowers are produced just before the leaves in late winter (e.g. Petasites fragrans) or spring, emerging with only a few elongated basal bracts and are usually green, flesh coloured or dull white depending on the species. It is dioecious, with male and female flowers borne on separate plants.

Butterbur can be found in parts of Asia such as Korea, China, and Japan, as well as Europe and North America. They prefer moist environments such as riverbanks, marshes and ditches.

Petasites is closely related to the genera Tussilago and Senecio.

Medicinal uses

Butterbur has been used for over 2000 years to treat a variety of ailments including fever, lung disease, spasms, and pain.

Migraine

Some butterbur species contain the chemicals petasin and isopetasin which are believed to have potential benefits in treating migraines. High concentrations of petasin occur in both butterbur root and leaves, with the leaves containing lower levels of the toxic chemical. Butterbur extracts have been reported to be effective in reducing frequency and severity of migraine headaches. Several double-blind studies have shown that high doses of *Petasites hybridus extract, *containing petasin and/or isopetasin, are effective both in preventing and in relieving migraine, with the best results in groups taking the higher dose of the supplement. Although mainly well tolerated, the adverse effects of butterbur reported in clinical trials include mainly gastrointestinal problems, such as nausea, flatulence, and belching. In 2015, the American Academy of Neurology withdrew its original endorsement of butterbur due to safety concerns. However, the Canadian Headache Society still recommends its use in migraine prevention for a selected number of patients based on their clinical features and co-existing disorders.

Hay fever or allergic rhinitis

Additionally, a study showed butterbur extract to be an effective treatment for hay fever without the sedative effect of the antihistamine cetirizine, if taken four times daily. Butterbur was also shown to be comparably effective as fexofenadine when compared to placebo for reducing symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

Risks

Butterbur extracts may contain harmful components called pyrrolizidine alkaloids if the preparations are not carefully and fully purified. These chemicals are toxic to the liver and may cause cancers. Thus, due to the potential for contamination, taking butterbur supplements is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Some sources say it is safe practice to consume butterbur extract that has been prepared by a reputable laboratory.

Long-term health effects and interaction of butterbur with other drugs have not been well documented. However, it can theoretically interact with certain blood pressure and heart medications, as well as with drugs that can induce a liver enzyme called CYP3A4 (i.e. St. John's wort, carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifampin); this interaction can potentially lead to increased concentration of the toxic alkaloids.

References

References

  1. (2009). "''Petasites'' Mill.".
  2. (2023). "''Petasites'' Mill.". Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  3. (2023). "''Petasites'' Mill.". World Flora Consortium.
  4. Stace, C. A.. (2010). "New Flora of the British Isles". Cambridge University Press.
  5. Miller, Philip. 1754. Gardeners Dictionary...Abridged...fourth edition page 1056.
  6. [http://www.tropicos.org/Name/40005373 Tropicos, ''Petasites'' Mill.]
  7. [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=124686 ''Petasites''.] Flora of North America. Volume 20, Page 635. efloras.org.
  8. (14 February 2022). "Butterbur". Drugs.com.
  9. (2016). "A new natural hybrid in the genus ''Petasites'': ''P. japonicus'' × ''P. pyrenaicus'' (Asteraceae)". New Journal of Botany.
  10. "Missouri Botanical Garden".
  11. (March 2011). "Alternative Headache Treatments: Nutraceuticals, Behavioral and Physical Treatments". Headache.
  12. (May 2010). "Butterbur: An alternative therapy for migraine prevention". American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy.
  13. [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=124686 ''Petasites''.] Flora of China. Volume 20-21, Page 461. efloras.org.
  14. [http://luirig.altervista.org/flora/taxa/gen.php?genere=Petasites Altervista Flora Italiana genere ''Petasites'']
  15. (March 2006). "Efficacy and Safety of Butterbur Herbal Extract Ze 339 in Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis: Postmarketing Surveillance Study". Advances in Therapy.
  16. (December 2004). "Petasites hybridus root (butterbur) is an effective preventive treatment for migraine". Neurology.
  17. (2012). "Evidence-based guideline update: NSAIDs and other complementary treatments for episodic migraine prevention in adults: [RETIRED]". Neurology.
  18. (March 2012). "Canadian Headache Society Guideline for Migraine Prophylaxis". Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences.
  19. Schapowal A. (19 January 2002). "Randomised controlled trial of butterbur and cetirizine for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis". BMJ.
  20. (2005). "Treating Intermittent Allergic Rhinitis: A Prospective, Randomized, Placebo and Antihistamine-controlled Study of Butterbur Extract Ze 339". Phytotherapy Research.
  21. (March 2011). "Nutraceuticals and Headache: The Biological Basis". Headache.
  22. Maxim Hirono I., Mori H., Yamada K. "Carcinogenic activity of petasitenine, a new pyrrolizidine alkaloid isolated from Petasites" ''[[Journal of the National Cancer Institute]]'' 1977 58:4 (1155-1157)
  23. (1981). "Plant sources of hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids". Journal of Natural Products.
  24. "Butterbur".

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