An extract of butterbur root appears to reduce migraines in children and adolescents, confirming the benefits previously seen in adults. Two randomized and placebo-controlled trials on adult migraine patients have demonstrated that a proprietary butterbur root extract made by Weber and Weber (Petadolex) reduces migraine attacks. But many herbal medicines, like drugs, are not tested on children, despite the need to take into account the different physiology of children. An estimated 3-7 per cent of all children get migraines but most migraine therapies seem to be ineffective when given to children. Writing in this month’s issue of Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain (volume 45, issue 3, p196), German researchers said that 77 per cent of the children and teenagers recruited in their trial had at least half the number of attacks as previously.
