Feverfew, botanically known as Tanacetum parthenium and also called bachelor's buttons, is a perennial plant related to the sunflower. Native to Eastern Europe, feverfew now grows throughout North America. It has been used as an herbal treatment for more than 2,000 years to treat a variety of ailments. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that the plant's common name comes from Latin for "fever reducer," which was one of its original medicinal uses. Feverfew can have side effects and interfere with prescription medications. Talk with your doctor before taking feverfew.
Feverfew's Migraine-Reducing Properties
Herbalists and naturopaths often prescribe feverfew to treat migraine headaches, which can cause severe pain and visual disturbances. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, feverfew can reduce the severity and intensity of migraines. A compound in feverfew called parthenolide, which has antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties, is probably responsible. Parthenolide might also inhibit migraines by helping to prevent the constriction of blood vessels in the brain that often trigger the headaches. In a clinical study published in 2005 in Vol. 25 of Cephalalgia, researchers found that an extract of feverfew worked better than a placebo in reducing the frequency of migraine attacks. UMM notes that the dose for migraines is 100 to 300 mg of feverfew up to four times a day.
Feverfew's Chemoprotective Properties
In a clinical study published in the April 2005 issue of Molecular Cancer Therapies, researchers found that parthenolide from feverfew inhibited the growth of pancreatic cancer cells, and also contributed to the efficacy of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug in further helping suppress cancer cell growth. Researchers noted that this provided preclinical support for a combined chemotherapeutic approach in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. However, the subject of feverfew's ability to protect against cancer is still being studied.
Other Uses for Feverfew
Feverfew can inhibit the formation of inflammation-causing prostaglandins, according to Drugs.com, a drug information website that provides peer-reviewed information to consumers. The website notes that feverfew has traditionally been used to treat arthritis and other inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis, as well as to lower fevers and reduce coughs.
Feverfew Side Effects
A range of side effects can occur with feverfew, including stomach cramps, flatulence, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Chewing the feverfew leaves can cause mouth sores and impair your sense of taste. If you use feverfew for more than one week, you should wean off it gradually rather than stopping suddenly. The University of Maryland Medical Center advises that a withdrawal syndrome featuring painful joints, anxiety, insomnia and rebound headaches can occur.
Feverfew Contraindications
Talk to your doctor before taking feverfew, especially if you are on blood-thinning medications or have a bleeding disorder. If you are pregnant, you should not take feverfew. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine states that feverfew might increase the risk of miscarriage or premature delivery. Don't take feverfew if you are breast-feeding. The University of Maryland Medical Center cautions that if you are allergic to chamomile, ragweed, chysanthemums or yarrow, you might be allergic to feverfew as well.
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