NOW Butterbur Review
European herbalists have been using butterbur for decades, and scientific studies have demonstrated that petasins, the active constituents in butterbur, can support healthy blood flow to the brain and promote normal neurological function. In this way, butterbur may help to maintain head comfort in healthy individuals. NOW Butterbur is also free of undesirable pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), so it can be used regularly. The product is listed under Neurological Support and is presented as a Butterbur Veg Capsules product with feverfew, with a stated focus on supporting healthy blood flow to the brain. Each capsule contains 75 mg of Butterbur Extract Complex (Petasites hybridus, root) and 200 mg of Feverfew Complex (Tanacetum parthenium, aerial parts). The suggested usage is to take 1 capsule twice daily, and the bottle contains 60 servings in 60 veg capsules. The Supplement Facts note that Daily Value is not established for either ingredient. Other ingredients include hypromellose cellulose capsule, microcrystalline cellulose, maltodextrin non-GMO, potato starch, vegetable source stearic acid and silicon dioxide. The product is not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut or sesame ingredients, though it is produced in a GMP facility that processes other allergens. The page lists Non-GMO, Intertek GMP Supplement Certification, Vegan and Kosher (Triangle K) seals, and notes that natural color variation may occur. It states the product is made and quality tested in the USA with globally sourced ingredients, and that the company has been family owned since 1968. The bottle is made from 100 percent PCR post-consumer recycled resin. Caution statements say it is for adults only, not recommended for pregnant or nursing women or individuals with liver disease, and that users should consult a physician if taking medication or having a medical condition, and keep out of reach of children. The statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and the product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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Lowest cost per month first, in stock, at 2 capsules a day. Checked Nov 3.
- TargetLowest$10.00 a bottle of 120 capsules$5.00/moBuy at Target (opens in a new tab)
Also at: iHerb · NOW · PureFormulas · Swanson
Study, Trial or Testing Result Summary
Members Only3 human studies · 3 improved
Butterbur is given here at 150 milligrams a day, which is above the 50 milligrams a day that worked in studies. In a small placebo-controlled trial of 16 people with allergic asthma who were already using inhaled meds, one week of butterbur, 25 milligrams twice daily, improved airway sensitivity and lowered markers of airway inflammation [1]. In an open trial without a placebo group, 64 adults and 16 children with asthma took a butterbur root extract for eight weeks. They had fewer, shorter and milder asthma attacks, better lung function and fewer symptoms, and more than 40 percent of those on asthma medicine were able to cut back on it [2]. A 2025 review of 14 studies of plant treatments for seasonal hay fever found butterbur was the most studied plant. It improved symptoms, immune measures and nasal airflow, though only about half of the studies were of good quality [3]. The studies are small, and only one had a placebo group. The product also contains feverfew at 400 milligrams a day, but no human studies of feverfew for breathing were given. Animal and cell studies are never counted.
See all 3 studies →Hide the studies
- A review of 14 studies of herbal and anthroposophic treatments for seasonal hay fever found butterbur, the most studied plant, improved immune measures, symptoms and nasal airflow, though only about half of the studies were of sufficient quality.Efficacy and Safety of Phytotherapy and Anthroposophic Medicine in Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review.
- In 16 people with allergic asthma already using inhaled meds, one week of butterbur 25 mg twice daily improved airway sensitivity and lowered exhaled nitric oxide and eosinophil levels compared with placebo.Read the study on PubMed (14720270) →
- In an open trial of 64 adults and 16 children with asthma, eight weeks of a butterbur root extract (Petadolex) reduced the number, length and severity of asthma attacks, improved lung function and symptoms, and let more than 40 percent of patients who used asthma medicine cut back on it.Petasites hybridus (Butterbur root) extract in the treatment of asthma--an open trial.
Review Totals and Summary
Members Only3,237 reviews · 87% positive
Buyers of NOW Butterbur capsules are mostly happy, and about 80% of the star ratings that carry a score are 4 or 5. Across the stores it carries about 2,816 ratings. Praise centres on migraines and headaches, quality and price, with a few buyers saying it did nothing for them. **What buyers say it did for them:** Migraines and headaches are the most common theme. One buyer writes "it combinea two migraine herbs into one capsule and it works." Another says it "definitely works as expected" and brought "great benefits." Store summaries describe fewer or milder migraines, including optical migraines dropping from two or three a week to none after about six weeks alongside CoQ10, and headaches almost stopping after about six months with no grogginess. Others use it for seasonal allergies, itchy eyes, or blood flow to the brain, and one parent uses it for a daughter's headaches. These are personal accounts, and none reports a measured result. **What buyers complain about:** Complaints are few. One buyer switched from another brand of 47 mg pure butterbur leaf that "worked great" and found this one "did not work at all," even though it has more butterbur plus feverfew. One review is about an order that never arrived with other items, so it says nothing about the product. Store summaries add that the two-to-three-times-daily dosing is hard to remember, and that benefits can take two to three months to build. One shopper decided against it after seeing a preservative listed. Another reviewer cautioned that large amounts of butterbur can damage the liver, yet still recommends the product. **Taste, smell, pill size and form:** The only comment on form is that the capsule is smaller than expected and easier to swallow. Buyers also like having butterbur and feverfew combined in one capsule. Taste and smell are not discussed. **Value for money:** Value is a strength. One buyer calls it "a comparable quality to local supplement stores at half the price," and another says "good quality - great value." One store's reviewers praise potency, value and quick delivery. Another notes the product is hard to find in stores. **Who it seems to suit:** Long-term users are loyal. One says "I've been using this for years. Best brand around," and another has relied on it since 2012. One switched to NOW when Swanson discontinued its butterbur and says "so far, it's working for me." It seems to suit people looking for a migraine or headache supplement who can take it consistently and wait a couple of months. Some reviewers were pointed to it by a neurologist or naturopath. It suits people who want a trusted brand at a fair price. **Who it did not suit:** It did not work for the buyer who moved from a pure butterbur leaf product. It is also a poor fit for anyone who objects to a preservative in the ingredients or who struggles to take capsules several times a day. Reviews of other forms of this product were left out, and this summary covers the capsules only.
Biohacker Summary
Members Only3 of 10 recommend it
Four of the ten panelists spoke about butterbur, the main ingredient, and two of them recommend it while the other two are neutral. One recommends 75 mg twice a day to help prevent migraines over time, and another says it is used for migraines because it blocks histamine and works at meds level. The other two mention it as a natural remedy for allergies, and one of them earlier suggested 8 mg of petasin extract, one tablet two to three times a day, for allergy symptoms. The main caution, raised by two panelists, is to choose a version free of PAs (pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can be toxic if not processed correctly) and to avoid raw butterbur. Feverfew is a smaller ingredient in this product, and one panelist used a supplement containing it to ease soreness after a hard race.
See all 5 biohackers →Hide the biohackers
Dr. Eric Berg · Butterbur · recommends
- Recommends 75 mg of butterbur twice a day for migraine prevention.
- Recommends 75 mg of butterbur twice a day as a supplement that can help prevent migraines over time.
- Recommends butterbur, an herb that can affect the molecule responsible for migraine symptoms, noting that it creates a desensitized effect on hyperexcited neurons and should be a PA-free version due to potential toxicity if not processed correctly.
Siim Land · Butterbur · neutral
- Mentions butterbur, a shrub used in traditional medicine, as a recommendation for allergies.
Dr. Mark Hyman · Butterbur · recommends
- Notes that butterbur is a histamine blocker and is used for migraines because it works at a med level.
- Suggests trying an herb like feverfew for migraines.
- Notes that butterbur is used for migraines because it acts as a histamine blocker, addressing the impact of excess histamine on the brain.
Dave Asprey · Butterbur · neutral
- Dave Asprey mentions Butterbur as a natural remedy for allergy symptoms.
- Recommends butterbur root or leaf extract to open sinuses, reduce nasal inflammation, and help drain mucus, suggesting 1 tablet of 8 mg petasin extract two to three times a day for allergy symptoms. They warn against eating raw butterbur due to pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) and advise looking for PA-free supplements.
Ben Greenfield · Feverfew · uses
- Ben used a supplement containing feverfew bark, turmeric, ginger, and garlic to reduce soreness and inflammation after Ironman Hawaii.
RAL Summary
Members OnlyTier 2 for Lungs and Breathing
Butterbur at above the studied dose improved airway sensitivity and inflammation in a small placebo-controlled asthma trial [1], with support from an open trial and a hay fever review, and 87% of 3237 reviews are positive. This meets tier 2.
More Details
Members OnlyBody systems · Combine with · Possible side effects
Body systems: Respiratory system, Immune system, Nervous system
Combine with: For allergy and respiratory support, butterbur pairs well with quercetin (a natural mast-cell stabilizer), vitamin C, and stinging nettle leaf, which together support a healthy histamine response. Bromelain can improve quercetin absorption and support nasal comfort. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) helps thin mucus and supports lung antioxidant defenses, and magnesium may support airway smooth muscle relaxation. Because butterbur may stress the liver, use only PA-free extract, limit duration, and consider liver-supportive nutrients such as milk thistle. Consult a healthcare provider, especially if pregnant, on liver-affecting medications, or allergic to ragweed or daisy-family plants.
Possible side effects: The studies given report no side effects. One reviewer cautioned that large amounts of butterbur can harm the liver.
Supplement Facts
Butterbur Root Extract 75 mg · Feverfew 200 mg
| Butterbur Root Extract | 75 mg | † |
| Feverfew | 200 mg | † |
Other ingredients: Hypromellose, Microcystalline Cellulose, Maltodextrin, Potato Starch, Stearic Acid, Silicon Dioxide.
Directions: Suggested usage: Take 1 capsule twice daily.
Barcode (UPC) 733739046024 · Label source: NIH label database · Report a label change
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Graded November 4, 2026 by the Reverse Age Lab evidence engine, from human studies, real reviews and our biohacker panel. How we grade. Is this medical advice? No. Rala organizes the published evidence; go over any change with your doctor, especially if you take meds.
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