Herbal extract to combat hayfever
treating hay fever, and does nothave the sedative effects often
associated with thesedrugs, finds a study published in this week's
British Medical Journal.
The herbal extract, butterbur, is as effective asantihistamines for treating hay fever, and does nothave the sedative effects often associated with thesedrugs, finds a study published in this week's British Medical Journal.(BMJ)
According to the journal, researchers led by Andreas Schapowal at the Allergy Clinic in Switzerland identified 125 patients with a history of hay fever. Patients received eitherbutterbur extract tablets or a commonly usednon-sedating antihistamine (cetirizine) asrecommended by the manufacturers.
After two weeks, the effects of butterbur and cetirizine were similar in the two treatment groups.Cetirizine produced more sedative effects(drowsiness and fatigue) than butterbur, despite thedrug being considered a non-sedating antihistamine.
"We believe butterbur should be considered fortreating hay fever, particularly in cases where thesedative effects of antihistamines need to beavoided," conclude the authors.
