Thanks to much deliberate planting, feverfew, a native of the Balkans, has naturalized throughout Europe, North America and Australia. Its daisy-like flowers make it a popular addition to perennial gardens. European folk healing traditions attribute a host of medicinal properties to this aromatic herb, but only recently has science recognized its ability to keep migraines at bay.
History
Feverfew, or Tanacetum parthenium, was largely unknown as a migraine treatment until the late 1970s, according to experts from New York University's Langone Medical Center. It became the subject of research when the wife of the chief medical officer of England's National Coal Board followed a miner's recommendation to try the herb. She discovered chewing feverfew leaves greatly reduced the frequency of her migraines. In 1985, a study from the London Migraine Clinic found feverfew capsules appeared to prevent migraines in 70 percent of study participants.
Effects
Feverfew leaf capsules and extracts may help reduce migraine frequency when you take the supplements daily. Of 89 people taking 6.25 mg of feverfew extract 3 times daily, migraine frequency decreased by an average of 1.9 attacks per month, reported researchers from the Neurologische Universitätsklinik in Essen, Germany, in 2005. Once a migraine has started, though, feverfew may be only moderately effective in easing the symptoms.
Function
The exact way in which feverfew prevents migraines is subject to debate. One factor may be the herb's ability to decrease serotonin and histamine production. Feverfew also inhibits the synthesis of prostagladins, hormone-like substances that contribute to pain sensation. Additionally, the parthenolide it contains helps alleviate muscle spasms and inflammation.
Use
Feverfew is available as fresh and dry leaves as well as in tablet, capsule and liquid form. To be effective, feverfew supplements should contain at least 0.2 percent parthenolide. Adults can take 100 to 300 mg capsules up to 4 times a day. As little as 80 mg 3 times daily may also be effective, note Langone Medical Center experts. If you're using carbon dioxide feverfew extract, take 6.25 mg 3 times daily.
Warnings
Feverfew can interfere with blood clotting, so avoid this herb if you take anticoagulants like Warfarin. Because some folk medicine traditions recommend feverfew for inducing abortion, pregnant women should not use feverfew. In those sensitive to related plants like chamomile and ragweed, feverfew may cause an allergic reaction. Rarely, eating feverfew leaves may cause mouth sores, but taking capsules will not.
References
- New York University Langone Medical Center: Feverfew
- British Medical Journal: "Efficacy of Feverfew as Prophylactic Treatment of Migraine"
- Cephalalgia: "Efficacy and Safety of 6.25 mg t.i.d. Feverfew CO2-extract (MIG-99) in Migraine Prevention
- Wright State University: Popular Natural Remedies, Part III
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Feverfew
