Good news for hay fever sufferers!

Dr. Matt Brignall, ND reports via HealthWire on a recent study published in the British Medical Journal (2002;324:144–6). According to the study, the herb butterbur (Petasites hybridus) is just as effective (not almost as, kinda close to, but just as) in reliving the symptoms of seasonal allergies as Zertec®.

Here's why I'm so pleased with this research. First, it's good quality research with a wide population pool. Second, seasonal allergies affect about 20% of the population. I think it's a little higher here in the Southwest desert, as folks actually move here to escape their symptoms. So any clinician here is likely to see more cases than in other places.

So when the client tells you that Zrytec® is working for them, but they really want to get off pharmaceuticals, you can educated them about this little-known herb and have confidence in it's efficacy. In case the client is concerned about side effects for prescription medications, score one more for the plant. Even though Zyrtec® is supposed to be side-effect free, 11% of the study participants taking the prescription still reported those side effects. Contrast that with the 3% of the folks taking Petasites.

Breath easy next spring!