A cluster headache is characterized by severe pain that affects one side of the head. Although cluster headaches are short-lived, usually lasting between 45 and 90 minutes, they can occur up to eight times a day. Fortunately, they are uncommon. The health information website, Patient UK, states that they affect one in 1,000 people. If you suffer from cluster headaches, you might find that simple painkillers are not effective. In this case, your doctor might prescribe a drug called sumatriptan, which is injected under the skin and helps to relieve pain quickly. The herbs feverfew and butterbur are sometimes used to help relieve other type of headache, but their effects on the prevention or treatment of cluster headaches have not been evaluated in clinical trials. In addition, they might not act quickly enough to relieve your pain. Talk to your doctor before treating your headaches with herbs.
Feverfew and Butterbur
Also known as Tanacetum parthenium, feverfew is a leafy green herb that contains a host of active compounds including volatile oils and terpenoids. It is sometimes used to treat arthritis and painful menstruation, but it is most commonly used to prevent migraine headaches. Butterbur, also known as Petasites hybridus, has a long history of use as an antispasmodic but is more commonly used to help prevent migraine headaches. It grows alongside rivers and in marshy areas in many parts of the world and might also play a role in the treatment of allergies and musculoskeletal pain.
Administration
Feverfew and butterbur can be consumed as teas, as liquid tinctures, or in capsules or tablets. Some people also chew fresh feverfew leaves, although this is not recommended, as it might cause mouth ulcers. Guidance regarding the amount of each herb required to help prevent or treat cluster headaches is lacking. However, the University of Maryland Medical Center states that 50 mg to 75 mg of a standardized extract of butterbur, taken twice daily might help to prevent a migraine headache. Alternatively, you might prefer to try 50 mg to 80 mg of feverfew daily. Bear in mind that these dosages are only intended as a guideline and are aimed at preventing migraine headaches.
Effectiveness
The results of the clinical study published in the November 2005 issue of "Cephalagia" shows that taking 6.25 mg of feverfew three times daily helps to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks. Research findings published in the December 2004 issue of "Neurology" show that taking 75 mg of butterbur twice daily also helps to reduce migraine attack frequency. However, migraine headaches differ from cluster headaches, therefore in the absence of clinical trials looking at the effects of these herbs on cluster headaches, specifically, it is difficult to know how beneficial these herbs might be--if at all.
Safety Considerations
Feverfew might cause gastrointestinal upset and is not suitable for people who are allergic to similar plants such as ragweed, daisies and chrysanthemums. It might also increase the risk of bleeding, so do not use this herb if you have a bleeding disorder or if you are taking anticoagulants. Mississippi Baptist Health Systems states that butterbur might also cause a mild side effects such as burping and gastrointestinal upset. This herb also contains compounds known as pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which cause liver toxicity. Ensure you choose supplements that state that these compounds have been removed. Don't use either of these herbs if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
References
- Patient UK: Cluster Headaches
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Feverfew
- Mississippi Baptist Health Systems: Butter
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Migraine Headache
- "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
- "Neurology"; Petasites Hybridus Root (Butterbur) Is an Effective Preventive Treatment for Migraine; R.B. Lipton, et al.; December 2004
