Compound Monograph
Butylidenephthalide
Butylidenephthalide is a phthalide compound that gives angelica and celery-family plants part of their characteristic aroma.
Sources · 3
Where Does It Come From?
Butylidenephthalide is a naturally occurring phthalide, found in Angelica, Dong quai and Celery. It is well tolerated orally (low toxicity).
Principal source Angelica Angelica archangelica Herb monograph → 
Source Dong Quai Angelica sinensis Herb monograph → Concentration
Content by Source
Concentrations not reported. No percent-dry-weight or mg/g figures have been published for this compound in its source plants.
Research & Evidence
Butylidenephthalide is a phthalide, one of the aroma compounds characteristic of plants in the carrot and celery family such as angelica, dong quai and celery. It contributes to their warm, herbaceous scent and has been studied in the laboratory for smooth-muscle relaxant and other effects, particularly in the context of dong quai (Angelica sinensis), a traditional Chinese herb.
Toxicity & Safety
Butylidenephthalide occurs naturally in culinary and medicinal plants and is consumed at low levels; its safety as an isolated compound has not been well characterized. The laboratory findings reported for it do not translate into established human uses.
