A member of the daisy family, the feverfew plant offers several benefits as a botanical medicine. In modern naturopathy, health care providers recommend feverfew as a holistic solution to arthritis, migraine headache and menstrual discomforts. Although safe when used as directed, feverfew should not be used during pregnancy. Consult your prenatal health care provider before using any medicinal herb, particularly if you have a medical condition or a high-risk pregnancy.
History
Traditionally, midwives employed feverfew as a treatment for several pregnancy-related conditions for which it is no longer used. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM, traditional healers believed that feverfew could treat infertility and menstrual abnormalities. Feverfew was also used to induce labor and speed uterine contractions during childbirth. No studies have evaluated feverfew's safety or efficacy for inducing labor, and pregnant women are generally interested in using it for other purposes such as pain relief.
Therapeutic Uses
The University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, regards feverfew as an effective treatment for migraine headaches. According to the American Pregnancy Association, or APA, these debilitating headaches may worsen during pregnancy as a result of hormonal changes and alterations in blood flow. The APA recommends a variety of drug-free home remedies to defeat migraines, but feverfew is not regarded as a safe alternative to conventional medications. Mention your migraines to your obstetrician or midwife; severe headaches may be a sign of a pregnancy complication or underlying health problem.
General Side Effects
People who are not pregnant generally tolerate feverfew with relatively few side effects. The UMMC warns that it may cause digestive complaints such as gas, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramping and indigestion. Rarely, feverfew users may develop anxiety or mouth ulcers. As a relative of the ragweed plant, feverfew may cause allergic reactions in susceptible individuals. These side effects may be more pronounced during pregnancy and may affect a fetus, which receives feverfew compounds through the placenta.
Dangers During Pregnancy
During all stages of pregnancy, feverfew poses several theoretical risks to the developing fetus and the mother. Although no studies have evaluated the specific risks associated with feverfew during pregnancy, the NCCAM acknowledges the herb's historic use for inducing labor and notes that it may trigger miscarriage or preterm birth by increasing contractions in the uterus. Additionally, the UMMC warns that feverfew is an anticoagulant or blood-thinner; it may increase the risk of bleeding during pregnancy or excessive blood loss after childbirth.
Alternatives
The American Pregnancy Association encourages pregnant women to use low-risk holistic remedies to treat migraines. Cold water applied to the forehead can provide temporary pain relief, as can a hot or cold shower. Exercise, sufficient sleep and stress management techniques can also reduce the incidence of migraines and headaches during pregnancy. Under some circumstances, a doctor or midwife may approve the use of acetaminophen, or Tylenol, to treat pregnancy-related discomforts. If you are interested in using feverfew to induce labor, talk to your health care provider about safer options.
