Butterbur Petasin vs Competitors: Superior Potency and PA-Free Safety

21 commercially available butterbur supplements were analyzed for their active sesquiterpene content (petasins) and pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) contamination using validated UPLC-UV and HPLC-TOF-MS methods.

Results showed substantial variability in product quality. Ten of 21 products contained no detectable petasin (n=6) or negligible amounts (n=4). Two products had petasins but at levels below their label claims. In contrast, nine products – all containing the Weber & Weber Butterbur Petasin extract – had the declared petasin content and met quality expectations.

Safety testing revealed that PAs, toxic compounds naturally present in unprocessed butterbur, were not detected in any Butterbur Petasin products. However, several non-Butterbur Petasin products with little or no petasin content did test positive for PAs, indicating inadequate processing or quality control.

Overall, the study demonstrated that butterbur supplements vary greatly in both active ingredient content and safety. Butterbur Petasin products consistently contained the correct amount of petasins and were free from detectable PAs, supporting both their efficacy potential and safety profile. In contrast, many other products failed to deliver the declared active compounds and, in some cases, posed a potential safety risk due to PA contamination.