Chamomile and feverfew are herb-like plants that have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. Both feverfew and chamomile are sometimes recommended as anti-inflammatory herbal remedies, but they each have their own unique uses as well. Consult your healthcare provider before you take either herb for any medicinal purpose to discuss the proper dosage, as well as the possible health dangers and drug interactions.
Description
Both chamomile and feverfew are plants that grow throughout Europe, but chamomile also grows in western Asia and feverfew is also found in North America, says the University of Michigan Health System. Feverfew's leaves are typically used in medicinal preparations, while for chamomile, it's the flowers that are utilized. Historically, feverfew was used to treat aches, rheumatism, fevers, menstrual pain and other inflammatory conditions. Chamomile was primarily used to treat gastrointestinal problems and headaches, as well as kidney, bladder and liver problems. People began using topical chamomile treatments in the early 1920s for skin problems like bedsores, contact dermatitis and eczema, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Benefits
Both feverfew and chamomile are sometimes recommended for treating inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema, as well as arthritis. You might also take feverfew to help treat or prevent migraine headaches, as well as ease menstrual pain or lack of menstruation, says the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Chamomile also has its own unique uses, such as treating gastrointestinal problems, stress and anxiety, hemorrhoids, infections, wounds, canker sores, conjunctivitis, gingivitis, insomnia, stomach ulcers, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome. Chamomile is sometimes taken to treat gastrointestinal conditions like colic, diarrhea, indigestion, acid reflux and gastritis, notes the University of Michigan Health System. No widely accepted medical evidence supports the use of feverfew or chamomile to effectively prevent or cure any health problem, however.
Functions
Feverfew and chamomile appear to have certain functions that are somewhat similar. Chamomile contains volatile oils and flavonoids that have anti-inflammatory actions, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Feverfew also appears to inhibit inflammatory responses in the body through its sesquiterpene lactone called parthenolide, says the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. In addition to the common anti-inflammatory properties, the two herbs also have additional unique functions. Feverfew's parthenolide content also seems to inhibit serotonin release and excessive clotting of blood platelets, while chamomile's active constituents appear to calm spasms and relax smooth muscles, as well as provide antiviral, antibacterial and anti-ulcer actions.
Dosages
You might take 80 to 100mg of powdered whole feverfew leaf each day or 6.25mg of feverfew extract three times per day, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. If you take feverfew in tablets or capsules, you should aim for a daily dosage equivalent to 250mcg of parthenolide content, advises the University of Michigan Health System. You can take chamomile in the form of a tea, tincture, capsule or tablet. You might also apply a chamomile-based cream to your skin up to four times per day to treat various skin conditions (reference 4). As a tea, you can steep 2 to 3 heaping tsp. of chamomile flowers in boiling water for 10 minutes. Alternatively, you might take 4 to 6ml of chamomile tincture or 2 to 3g of chamomile pills three times daily. Ask your doctor about the proper dosage that you should take of feverfew or chamomile.
Dangers
Feverfew might cause somewhat mild stomach upset and could spur gastrointestinal problems if you take it along with aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medications, warns the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Chewing feverfew leaves can cause mouth sores as well, says the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Both feverfew and chamomile can cause potentially serious allergic reactions, especially if you're also allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums or similar plants. Both feverfew and chamomile can also concentrate the effects of blood-thinning drugs like Coumadin, heparin and Plavix, increasing your bleeding risks. Because feverfew was once used to induce abortions, you shouldn't take the herb if you're pregnant due to the possible risk of miscarriage or complications. Additionally, chamomile can increase the effects of sedative drugs.
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