Feverfew, formally known as Tanacetum parthenium, is an herb with a long history of use in traditional European medicine. Magnesium is an essential element responsible for hundreds of biochemical reactions in your body. You may receive either of these substances in supplemental form as alternative treatments for symptoms of migraine headaches.
Feverfew
Feverfew supplements typically contain dried leaves of the feverfew plant, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). In some cases, you may also receive supplements that contain feverfew stems or flowers. In its plant form, feverfew has a centuries-old history of use for treatment of ailments such as headaches, fevers, toothaches, stomachaches, and menstrual and labor problems. Use of feverfew supplements for migraine treatment is a relatively recent development, the NCCAM notes.
Magnesium
Several foods contain substantial amounts of magnesium, according to the National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS). Examples include chlorophyll-containing green vegetables, nuts, seeds and some varieties of peas and beans. Magnesium supplements commonly contain magnesium in combination with additional elements, ODS explains. Examples of supplements you may receive include magnesium chloride, magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfate, magnesium carbonate and magnesium lactate.
Feverfew and Migraines
If you have chronic migraine headaches, use of dried feverfew leaves may significantly decrease the number of migraine attacks you experience, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports. You may also gain some migraine relief if you eat two or three fresh feverfew leaves each day. When combined with magnesium supplements and vitamin B2, feverfew may lower the frequency of migraine attacks by as much as 50 percent. However, the benefits of feverfew treatment may vary according to the particular source of your supplements, UMMC notes. Additionally, the NCCAM notes that the evidence for the effectiveness of feverfew is mixed, and points to a need for further study.
Magnesium and Migraines
If you experience recurrent migraines, your body may be lacking magnesium, according to Oregon State University. Use of magnesium supplements can offset this and raise your magnesium levels. If you take magnesium supplements, you may be able to reduce your intake of migraine medications, in addition to shortening the length of your migraine headaches, UMMC reports. However, both UMMC and Oregon State University note that the evidence for magnesium's migraine benefits is mixed, and you may not gain any migraine relief from using magnesium supplements.
Feverfew Side Effects
UMMC reports potential side effects of feverfew use that include diarrhea, abdominal pain, gas, nervousness, nausea, vomiting and indigestion. If you chew feverfew leaves, you may also experience swelling of your lips or tongue, mouth ulcers or loss of your normal sense of taste. Use of feverfew may also increase bleeding risks; do not use feverfew products if you have bleeding problems or take anticoagulant medications. Also, avoid feverfew use if you have allergies to ragweed, yarrow or chamomile.
Magnesium Side Effects
Use of magnesium supplements may come with side effects, including stomach irritation and diarrhea, Oregon State University reports. If you have kidney or heart problems, UMMC explains, do not use magnesium supplements without your doctor's direct oversight.
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