Coenzyme Q10 and feverfew are two commonly used alternative therapies for treating migraine headache. Coenzyme Q10 is a fat-soluble compound that your body makes to help you produce energy. Feverfew, on the other hand, is a medicinal plant that originated in southeastern Europe. It has been used for centuries in Europe to reduce pain and fever and to treat conditions such as asthma, psoriasis and infertility.
Coenzyme Q10 vs. Feverfew on Migraine Relief
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), some users have found both coenzyme Q10 and feverfew to be effective in preventing migraine headache. Coenzyme Q10 may decrease the frequency of migraine attacks and reduce the number of sick days by 30 to 45 percent in migraine sufferers. It may work in children with a low body level of Q10 as well. By comparison, feverfew may decrease the frequency of migraine attacks by 50 to 60 percent and can reduce the pain intensity and duration when combined with white willow, another medicinal plant from which aspirin is derived, based on a review by the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). Both coenzyme Q10 and feverfew require a longer time span to work. Dr. Robert Bonakdar of Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Californiia at San Diego (UCSD) recommends giving them a trial time of three to four months.
Other Coenzyme Q10 Benefits
Preventing migraine is just one benefit of coenzyme Q10. For people with high blood pressure, coenzyme Q10 may help to lower both the systolic pressure or the upper number and diastolic pressure, the lower number, according to UMMC. Taking coenzyme Q10 within three days after a heart attack reduces the recurrence and mortality of future attacks, while taking it before heart surgeries can lessen heart damage and complications incurred by the surgeries. While feverfew has been used in many applications, the NIH has not found it to be effective for conditions other than migraine, based on the available evidence.
Side Effects of Coenzyme Q10 vs. Feverfew
Coenzyme Q10 and feverfew are both relatively safe. Possible minor side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upset and allergic reactions for both. Children may be able to tolerate coenzyme Q10 but should always take it under medical supervision, says the NIH. People who are taking blood-thinning medications such as warfarin or anti-platelet medications like aspirin should be cautious with both. Coenzyme Q10 tends to promote blood clotting and decreases the effectiveness of these medications, while feverfew tends to do the opposite by interfering with blood clotting and weakening these drugs. Check with your physician before starting on a program of taking either coenzyme Q10 or feverfew.
Other Considerations
Coenzyme Q10 is fat-soluble so taking it together with a meal that includes some fats may improve its absorption. Daily doses range from 30 to 200 mg for adults, depending on the conditions. Feverfew can be taken at higher doses of 100 to 300 mg up to four times per day. The quality of feverfew supplements vary. The NIH warns that some products may contain little or no feverfew. Look for a product that is standardized to 0.2 to 0.4 percent parthenolide, the active ingredient in feverfew. Scripps' Bonakdar recommends freeze-dried and carbon-dioxide-extracted feverfew products over alcohol-extracted ones for better efficacy.
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