Feverfew is a common flower that grows throughout Europe and North America. Feverfew is sometimes used medicinally for its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory potential to treat migraine headaches, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. You should talk with your health care provider before taking feverfew to discuss possible health risks, drug interactions and side effects, as well as the proper dosage.
History
Feverfew is a common type of daisy and member of the sunflower family that's native to the Balkans and has been used historically to relieve pain, stimulate menstruation, induce abortions and support childbirth, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Although folk medicine in Europe used feverfew also to reduce fevers--and earning the flower's name--people later discovered that the herb had little to no effect on treating fevers.
Modern Uses
Today, you might use feverfew remedies for many of these same historical purposes. Feverfew is sometimes taken to relieve migraine headaches and arthritis symptoms. Feverfew may also have some potential in treating irregular menstruation and psoriasis, notes the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. But you must consult with your doctor before taking feverfew for any medicinal purpose.
Function
Feverfew contains sesquiterpene lactones, mainly parthenolide, which is a compound that inhibits excessive clotting of blood platelets and the release of chemicals that cause inflammation, says the University of Michigan Health System. Feverfew's flavonol constituent may also provide anti-inflammatory effects. The herb also contains other helpful constituents, such as tannins, volatile oils, pyrethrin and terpenoids, which may work together to produce the effects in treating migraine headaches. No conclusive medical evidence confirms these actions or the efficacy of feverfew to treat any health condition, however.
Dosage
To treat migraines, you might take 100 to 300 mg of feverfew supplements standardized to contain 0.2- to 0.4-percent parthenolides, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. This dosage may be taken three or four times daily. To treat arthritis inflammation and pain, you could take 60 to 120 drops twice daily of a feverfew fluid extract or tincture. Be sure to discuss proper dosage with your physician before taking feverfew.
Scientific Evidence
A four-month-long, double-blind study of 170 people found that taking 6.25 mg of feverfew extract three times daily substantially reduced the frequency of migraine headaches compared to placebo, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The study was published in 2005 in the medical journal "Cephalalgia," a publication from the International Headache Society. Another study published in 1985 in the "British Medical Journal" found that feverfew helped to prevent migraines, according to the University of Michigan Health System. A 1997 double-blind study published in the journal "Phytotherapy Research" also found that taking feverfew helped to reduce the frequency, duration and severity of migraines.
Warnings
Few dangers or side effects have been reported from taking feverfew. But you may experience mild stomach upset or nervousness from taking feverfew remedies. Chewing raw feverfew leaves may cause mouth sores or inflammation of the mouth, lips and tongue. You might have an allergic reaction from taking feverfew if you're also allergic to ragweed, marigolds and chrysanthemums. Also, because feverfew may reduce your body's ability to form blood clots, you should avoid taking the herb if you're also taking anticoagulants or antiplatelet medications, commonly called "blood thinners." Feverfew could increase your risk of bleeding if you take it with these types of medications. Additionally, feverfew's historical use in traditional herbal medicine for inducing abortions may indicate some safety issues for pregnant women. To prevent a potential risk of miscarriage, don't take feverfew during pregnancy.
Member Comments