Migraine is a type of headache characterized by a severe, pulsating pain that usually affects one area of the head. It may also be accompanied by nausea, numbness in the face, lips and tongue and visual disturbances. Over-the-counter painkillers may help to relieve an existing migraine, but if you suffer from frequent or severe attacks, your doctor may prescribe medicines to help prevent them. A herb known as feverfew is also sometimes used to prevent migraine headaches, although it may not work for everyone. Talk to your doctor before using feverfew, particularly if you already taking prescription prophylactic treatments.
Properties and Potential Benefits
The leaves of the feverfew plant have a long history as a medicinal remedy for a variety of conditions including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. However, it is primarily used to prevent migraine headaches. It contains a number of biologically active compounds, including flavonols, volatile oils and terpenoids. According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, these compounds work synergistically to prevent migraines.
Dosage
Feverfew is usually taken in capsules, although you can take it as a tea or herbal tincture if you prefer. The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests taking 50 mg to 80 mg daily to help prevent migraines. However, RxList states that you may take up to 100 mg daily. Check with your health-care provider that these dosages are safe and appropriate for you.
Effectiveness
Evidence to support the use of feverfew as a prophylactic migraine treatment is mixed. An analysis of data from five clinical trials, published in the 2004 "Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews," concludes that there is not enough evidence to suggest that feverfew it any more effective than placebo in preventing migraines. However, the results of the clinical study published in November 2005 in "Cephalalgia" show that taking 6.25 mg of feverfew three times daily for four weeks reduces migraine frequency from 4.76 to 2.86 attacks per month. In contrast, placebo reduced migraine frequency from 4.76 to 3.46 attacks per month.
Safety Considerations
RxList states that taking feverfew for up to four months is likely safe, although it may cause side effects, including vomiting, dizziness, insomnia, joint stiffness, diarrhea and heartburn. Some people are allergic to feverfew. Avoid this herb if you are allergic to other plants in the same family, such as marigolds, ragweed and daisies. Also avoid feverfew if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It may heighten the effects of other drugs you may be taking, including anticoagulants. It may also interact with drugs that are modified by the liver, for example, ibuprofen and piroxicam.
References
- Patient UK: Migraine
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Migraine Headache
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Feverfew
- RxList: Feverfew
- "Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews"; Feverfew for Preventing Migraine; M.H. Pittler and E. Ernst; 2004
- "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.C. Diener, et al.; November 2005
