Although the cause of migraines is not well understood, it may be related muscular spasms of blood vessels in the brain. Certain triggers start a migraine for some people, such as stress, caffeine, lack of sleep or hormonal changes. Feverfew is a traditional herbal remedy for many conditions, including headache. Scientific studies and clinical trials with feverfew or its components suggest that it may be very helpful in preventing migraines or in promoting recovery from a migraine headache. Consult your doctor to be sure that taking feverfew is advisable for you.
Feverfew
Feverfew is a perennial plant that produces small, white flowers similar to daisies. It has been part of traditional herbal medicine for hundreds of years, prescribed by practitioners for fever, skin conditions, digestive disorders and menstrual problems. It is also an alternative medical treatment for headaches, including migraines, possibly due to the action of one of its components called parthenolide. This natural chemical may relieve muscle spasms, a potential explanation of its benefit for migraine headache.
Studies on Feverfew
In 1988, a randomized clinical trial was conducted to determine if feverfew would help prevent migraines. The results, published in the journal "Lancet," indicated that feverfew reduced the number and severity of migraine headaches in test subjects, without any major side effects. Subsequently, in 2005, investigators tested an extract of feverfew in another study of subjects who experienced regular migraine attacks. The findings, published in the journal "Cephalagia," showed a decrease in the frequency of headaches in subjects receiving the extract, compared to other subjects who took a placebo.
More Studies
A laboratory study conducted in 2005 examined whether parthenolide, the active ingredient in feverfew, might affect biochemical pathways known to cause migraine headaches. The results, published in the journal "Cephalaia," indicate that parthenolide modifies the expression of genes involved in production of migraines. Finally, in a comprehensive review paper published in "The Clinical Journal of Pain" in 2009, feverfew was identified as an inexpensive, safe and effective treatment to prevent migraine headache.
Precautions
Feverfew is available as fresh leaves, or as loose, dried herb or in capsules at health food stores. Avoid chewing the fresh leaves as they may cause mouth sores or interfere with the sensation of taste. Consuming feverfew is otherwise considered safe, although it may cause some mild digestive upset. Feverfew may interact with some prescription drugs, including blood-thinners or anti-depressants. If you stop taking feverfew abruptly, you may experience a rebound of migraine headaches, so discontinue its use gradually. Discuss with your doctor whether taking feverfew is a good choice for you.
References
- Journal of the American Medical Association Patient Page: Migraine Headache
- "Lancet;" Randomised Double-blind Placebo-controlled Trial of Feverfew in Migraine Prevention; J. Murphy et al; 1988
- "Cephalagia;" Efficacy and Safety of a 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
- "Cephalagia;" Parthenolide is the Component of Tanacetum Parthenium that Inhibits Nitroglycerin-induced Fos Activation: Studies in an Animal Model of Migraine; C. Tassorelli et al; 2005
- "Clinical Journal of Pain;" Foods and Supplements in the Management of Migraine Headaches; C. Sun-Edelstein and A. Mauskop; 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Feverfew
