Butterbur (Petasites vulgaris)
Folk Names: Blatterdock, Bog Rhubarb, Bogshorns, Butterdock, Capdockin, Flapperdock, Langwort, Pestilenzenwurt (German), Plague-flower, Umbrella Plant
Description: Butterbur is closely related to coltsfoot. It is found in wet ground, low-lying, marshy meadows, and along rivers. The creeping, yet fleshy root is blackish on the outside and whitish inside. It has a bitter, resinous taste. Clusters of bluish-purple flowers appear in early spring (late February - early March) before the leaves appear. The clusters grow in dense spikes, with many interspersed bracts, at the top of a round, thick flower-stalk. This flower stalk will grow from four inches to a foot. Male and female flowers generally appear on separate spikes. The female flowers are denser with longer spikes than the males, while the stamen bearing males are shorter and appear in loose clusters. Occasionally a few males will appear with the females and vice versa. The bell-shaped corollas on male flowers are pale reddish purple or flesh colored and contains abundant nectar. On females, the corollas are thread-like and have no nectar. These are succeeded by the feathery pappus which crowns the seeds.
In April, when the flowers begin to decay, the leaves appear. These are on stout, but hollowed channeled, footstalks. When full-grown, the leaves may be as large as three feet in diameter. The leaves are rounded and heart-shaped at the base, scalloped at the edges, with finely finely toothed projections. They are white and furred with down above and below when young. As they mature, most of the webbing disappears from the surface, though they remain downy underneath.
Effects:
Planet: sun
Element:
Associated Deities: Mercury
Traditions:
The name Petasites comes from the Greek petasos, which refers to the felt hats worn by shepherds. The best example of this is the hat worn by Mercury. The name butterbur was supposedly given to this plant due to a practice of wrapping butter in the leaves in hot weather. Lagwort comes from the way the leaves appear after the flowers. Names like pestilenzenwurt and plague-flower refer not to some evil aspect of the plant but its use during times of plague.
Magic:
A young, unmarried woman wishing to divine her future love must sew the seeds one half hour before sunrise on Friday in some lonesome place. Gradually scattering them about, she must say:
I sow, I sow!
Then, my own dear,
Come here, come here,
And mow and mow!
She will see her future spouse mowing a little distance from her, but she must stay completely silent or he will disappear.
Culpepper suggested an infusion of powdered Butterbur in wine to raise the spirits, and increase hope and faith in life.
Known Combinations:
None noted
Medical Indications: Parts used: root
The root of Butterbur is used as a heart stimulant. It also acts as a diuretic, and as a remedy for fever, asthma, colds, and urinary infections. Butterbur is considered an excellent remedy for severe neuralgia in the small of the back.
Nutrition:
Peeled stalks of butterbur are boiled and sautéed in Japan. The stalks may also be chopped and added to soups. Sprouts are minced and cooked in Miso.
Mercantile Uses:
The early flowering of the plant caused Swedish farmers to plant it near their beehives.