Witnessed by: Western
Butterbur (Petasites hybridus), of the Asteraceae family. Stout marsh perennial from a creeping rhizome, throwing up pink flower-spikes before the vast rhubarb-like leaves; native range: wet meadows, riverbanks and ditches across Europe and western Asia. Globally recognized as bog rhubarb, blatterdock, pestilence-wort, umbrella-leaves in English. The part used is rhizome and root, leaf. Root bitter and faintly acrid with a heavy earthy smell; leaf mucilaginous.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
BUTTERBUR
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- butterbur
- Scientific name
- Petasites hybridus (L.) P.Gaertn., B.Mey. & Scherb.
- Family
- Asteraceae
Form
- Part used
- rhizome and root, leaf
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- bitter · acrid
Temperature
- Western
- warm and drying
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- nervous system · circulation · lungs · bladder
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- antispasmodic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, vasodilator, mild sedative
Cautions
Contraindications: pregnancy and lactation, liver disease; use only certified PA-free products
Toxicity: unprocessed plant contains hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are cumulative and carcinogenic
Interactions
- Western
- hepatotoxic drugs: additive liver injury from pyrrolizidine alkaloids in non-purified material · anticholinergics: additive anticholinergic and antispasmodic effect
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