Herbal actions
The medicinal butterfly bush is diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, promotes bile flow, antioxidant and hepatoprotective, antiviral.
Cautions
The butterfly bush should not be encouraged in natural areas outside gardens and managed sites. This is because, although attractive for its nectar, the plant does not offer food for caterpillars and can displace native shrubs which are food sources for insects. Note that this plant will seed freely, and is considered invasive in parts of North America, Europe and New Zealand, and banned in some areas. It is recommended to deadhead the plants to reduce the spread of seed. Do not put the seed-heads into compost.
Research studies
Despite the efforts of pharmacology researchers to point out the potential of this plant there are few research studies. Mostly these studies have focused on identifying key constituents and examining the effect of flower bud or leaf extracts on pathogens in the laboratory. The leaves of Buddleia species contain sesquiterpenes, iridoids, lignans and flavonoids. One of the phenolic constituents is verbascoside which is anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial, and has been shown as effective against the bacteria of Staphylococcus aureus. The flower buds of Buddleja officinalis have been found to be antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. The leaves of related Buddleja species have been shown in an ethanolic extract to be antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral, and offering much potential as a topical antiseptic.
Harvesting and use
Best used externally, seek professional advice if you want to use the medicinal butterfly bush internally. For home use the flower buds are harvested in spring and used fresh or dried, and the flowers can be dried or used fresh to distil as a fragrant hydrosol. This plant is ideal for an antiseptic poultice for insect bites and other skin complaints. The leaves can be pounded or shredded fresh for use, or an infusion made to apply to the skin.
More information
If you would like to learn more about how healing trees and shrubs work then check out our short online course ‘Medicinal Trees and Their Healing Properties’, more details …
