Feverfew is a perennial plant native to southwestern Europe and a member of the sunflower family. Its alternative names include bachelor's button, midsummer daisy and wild chamomile. All parts of the plant, including stems, leaves and flowers, have a strong, somewhat unpleasant odor. Feverfew has been used in traditional herbal medicine for centuries to treat a number of ailments, including fever, headaches, digestive disorders, and muscular aches and pains. Consult your doctor before using feverfew to determine if it is appropriate for you.
Headache
Feverfew is often prescribed by practitioners of herbal medicine for headaches, particularly migraines. The active ingredient that may suppress headache pain is a compound called parthenolide. This natural chemical may block some steps that lead to inflammation and pain. In a 2005 study published in the journal "Cephalagia," an extract of feverfew reduced the frequency of migraines in subjects taking the extract compared to other subjects taking a placebo. Other components of feverfew may have antioxidant activity, allowing them to remove damaging free radicals from the body.
Other Conditions
Because parthenolide has anti-inflammatory activity, feverfew may also help relieve the pain of arthritis, especially when a tincture of feverfew is applied topically over inflamed and painful joints. Topical application may also relieve skin irritation from insect bites or an allergic reaction. Taken internally, feverfew may reduce stomach upset and other digestive problems. These traditional uses of feverfew still require further research to determine the herb's effectiveness.
How to Use
Feverfew is available as a fresh, freeze-dried or conventionally dried herb from health food stores. It is also available in capsules and tablets, or as a liquid extract or a tincture. For headache, the usual dosage is 100 to 300 mg, taken internally three or four times daily. For arthritis or other painful conditions, apply the extract or tincture twice each day. When purchasing feverfew, look for standardized preparations to minimize differences between batches.
Precautions
Do not chew fresh feverfew leaves as they may cause mouth ulcers, loss of taste, or swelling of your lips or tongue. Taken internally, feverfew may cause gastrointestinal problems such as indigestion, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Feverfew also has blood-thinning activity and may interact with some prescription drugs, especially those that affect blood clotting. The herb may also interact with some antidepressant medications or worsen symptoms of depression. Finally, if you take feverfew, do not discontinue it abruptly as it may cause rebound of migraines or other conditions. Discuss these possible side effects and contraindications with your doctor before deciding to take feverfew.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Feverfew
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Feverfew
- MedlinePlus: Feverfew
- HealthCareTips.org: Feverfew: Uses and Benefits
- "Cephalagia"; Efficacy and Safety of 6.25 Mg T.I.D. Feverfew CO2-Extract (MIG-99) in Migraine Prevention: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Multicentre, Placebo-Controlled Study; H. Diener et al.; 2005
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