Allergic rhinitis is a complaint of millions of Americans. It can be caused by any allergen that comes into contact with the mucosa in the nose, setting off a hypersensitivity reaction. Common allergens include dust, pollen, animal dander, and environmental/chemical irritants. Allergic rhinitis can be a chronic condition, causing many days of discomfort, each year for large number of individuals.
Butterbur (Petasites hybridis) is a botanical native to Europe that has been shown in previous studies to be effective at treating headaches (migraine), asthma, and muscle spasm. The studies claim that Butterbur modulates leukotrienes synthesis and release, thereby decreasing the inflammatory reaction.
In a study published in the December issue of Archives of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surger, the authors examined both the safety and efficacy of Butterbur for allergic rhinitis. The study also compared different doses of Butterbur to determine effectiveness and dose response.
The study found that Butterbur is safe with little or no side effects. It is also an effective treatment for allergic rhinitis and the effect is dose dependant, meaning that a higher dose yielded a greater response.
Butterbur was effective at decreasing symptoms of allergic rhinitis such as runny nose, sneezing, and itchy nose and eyes. The results were statistically significant over placebo for all doses tested. There was not a statistically significant difference between the high and low doses of Butterbur.
Posted by Kristopher Foster on January 18, 2006 10:18 AM
