Medicinal use of feverfew dates back centuries, and it was first used therapeutically in European folk medicine. Today, treating headaches and migraines is one of the most common uses of feverfew. Because it also can help arthritis sufferers, it may be of use for people with lupus who suffer joint pain because of the condition. However, you should not use feverfew to treat any medical condition without talking to a doctor first.
How It Works
The chemical compounds in feverfew that make it beneficial in treating health conditions are called sesquiterpene lactones. In particular, one of these compounds -- parthenolide -- prevents the release of certain brain chemicals that appear to play a role in triggering headaches, the University of Michigan Health System reports. Its action in helping to treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, including in people with lupus, is not fully understood, although it has shown some benefit, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports. You shouldn't use feverfew to treat either headaches or lupus without first consulting with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
Dosage
The recommended dose for feverfew depends on whether you take it for migraines or to treat joint pain and other inflammatory conditions. To treat or prevent migraines, take 100 mg to 300 mg of a product containing 0.2 percent to 0.4 percent parthenolides up to four times a day, the University of Maryland Medical Center advises. If your product is carbon dioxide extracted, use 6.25 mg three times a day for as long as 16 weeks. To treat inflammation, you should use a tincture or fluid extract. For tinctures, take 60 to 120 drops of a 1:5 tincture twice daily. If you have a fluid extract, use 60 to 120 drops of a 1:1 extract twice daily. Always consult with your doctor about proper dosing before using feverfew to treat a medical condition.
Side Effects
Some people who take feverfew experience side effects such as loss of taste, canker sores and swelling and irritation of the tongue and lips, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine reports. Less commonly, people develop nausea, bloating and other digestive problems when using the supplement. If you take feverfew for an extended period and suddenly stop, you can develop joint pain, muscle stiffness, nervousness, headaches and trouble sleeping. Before you take feverfew for headaches or lupus, talk with a doctor who can advise you of what to expect.
Precautions
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and children younger than 2 should never use feverfew. Also, because it can increase your tendency to bleed, you shouldn't use it if you take blood-thinning medications or if you have a bleeding disorder, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports. In rare cases, feverfew can prompt allergic reactions, most commonly in people who are allergic to ragweed, yarrow and chamomile. Make sure to consult with a doctor familiar with your health history before using feverfew medicinally.
