Use in Skin Care and Remedies

The butterbur has many special features: the blossom grows before the leaves which look almost like fungi with their thick stems; the leaves are extremely large and the root is very fleshy. The root has an affinity with the nervous system; on the other hand the large leaves of the butterbur indicate a connection with balancing the middle part of man’s body, where, among other things, the respiratory system is to be found. The flowers correspond to man’s metabolic processes. If the flowers appear before the leaves, this symbolises excessive metabolic activity, which is not balanced. The extremely large leaves grow at the end of the flowering period, as though they were extinguishing the heat of the blossom. Moreover, butterbur has a close affinity with water. From these particular qualities the following picture of its effect as a medicinal plant can be drawn: an early-flowering plant corresponds to excessive metabolic processes, the large root to cramps in man’s rhythmic system. Signs of inflammation are halted and moderated by the large leaves and the cooling aqueous element.

In WALA medicines Petasites comp.*, Plantago Bronchial Balsam* and Plantago Cough Linctus*, butterbur helps in diseases of the respiratory tract, for example in acute or chronic bronchitis.


* Prescribing information for the preparations mentioned (the indications are derived from the anthroposophical understanding of man and nature):

Petasites comp., Globuli velati
Indications: Harmonisation of the sensitivity organisation in the respiratory system, for adjuvant treatment of bronchitis and pneumonia (bronchopneumonia).
Warning: This medicinal product contains sucrose.

Plantago Bronchialbalsam (bronchial balm)
Indications: Catarrhal, inflammatory disorders of the airways.
Warning: Breast feeding mothers should not apply the preparation in the region of the breasts. Wool fat can cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis).

Plantago Hustensaft (cough mixture)
Indications: Harmonisation of respiratory and mucus-forming processes in catarrhal, inflammatory disorders of the airways and to promote coughing up of phlegm (expectoration), e.g. in bronchitis, pneumonia (bronchopneumonia), bronchial asthma.
Warning: This medicinal product contains sucrose.

* For information on risks and side-effects please read the pack insert and ask your doctor or pharmacist.