Butterbur

Butterbur - Petasites hybridus - has a long history of traditional uses in European, especially Austrian herbalism. The results of its traditional applications were convincing enough to warrant scientific investigations which basically confirmed the traditional lore.

The oil is distilled from the roots and represents a new addition to the aromatherapy arsenal for those two common and often debilitation conditions.

Migraines 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15623680

Asthma

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15005644

As the above references report about Petasites extracts it is important to remember that the composition of the essential oil might be different from the composition of the extract. However, most research focuses on the component Petasin, an ester of the sesquiterpene alcohol petasol with Angelic acid. According to "l'aromatherapie exactement" Butterbur is a more powerful antispasmodic than the pharmacological standard Papaverine.

Application: Topical, Inhalation