Feverfew Blog Post | Rooted Being

Feverfew

BY THEASHEN MOODLEY

Key Definitions

Adaptogen – a natural substance considered to help the body adapt to stress.
Anodyne – a painkilling drug or medicine.
Anthelminthic – any drug that acts against infections caused by parasitic worms (helminths).
Constituent - a component part of something.
Contraindications – a condition or circumstance that suggests or indicates that a particular technique or drug should not be used in the case in question.
Emmenagogue – a substance that stimulates or increases menstrual flow.
Indications – A symptom that suggests certain medical treatment is necessary.
Nervine – a medicine used to calm the nerves.
Vasodilator – medicines that open, or dilate, blood vessels.

Introduction

In 2022 it was estimated that approximately one billion people were affected by migraines worldwide, with migraines being the most common neurologic disorders. Migraines are caused by numerous biological and psychological factors, making them difficult to treat (Amiri et al., 2022). Feverfew is a natural remedy that may lessen the severity of migraines when taken regularly, e.g., for 3 to 4 weeks or over 6 months (Easley & Horne, 2016) (Gladstar, 2014) (Chevallier, 2016).

Feverfew was first investigated in 1973 when the wife of a Welsh doctor seemingly cured her 50-year history of migraines by taking a course on the plant. Feverfew is an herbaceous perennial that can grow to 60 cm in height. It has daisy-like flower heads that bloom all summer. Feverfew belongs to the Asteraceae family of plants and is commonly found throughout Europe, Australia and North America (Chevallier, 2016).

Constituents, Actions & Indications

Constituents

Volatile oil (alpha-pinene); sesquiterpene lactones (parthenolide, articanin, santamarin); sesquiterpenes (camphor, thujone, sabinene, 1,8-cineole, umbellulone); onoterpenes; flavonoids (apigenin, diosmetin, quercetin, jaceidin, jaceosidin) (Chevallier, 2016) (Hoffmann, 2003).

Actions

Analgesic (anodyne); anthelminthic; anti-inflammatory; nervine; reduces fever; antirheumatic; promotes menstrual flow; antispasmodic; emmenagogue; vasoldilator (Easley & Horne, 2016) (Chevallier, 2016) (Hoffmann, 2003).

Indications

Migraine prevention; rheumatoid arthritis (Chevallier, 2016) (Hoffmann, 2003).

Scientific Research

An article by Pareek, et al., 2011 and the book by Hoffmann, 2003 present the findings of clinical studies that have been completed on Feverfew in humans. These findings are summarised below:

Some studies have shown that Feverfew reduces the frequency of migraine attacks in patients suffering from chronic migraines.
Besides preventing migraines, studies suggest that Feverfew may also help with cluster headaches, premenstrual and menstrual headaches, and other headaches.
A study conducted on 41 women with rheumatoid arthritis found that Feverfew may increase grip strength in such cases.

Aether Apothecary Aches and Pains Tincture on a brown background

Preparations & Dosage

Infusion – take 30-120 mL 3 times a day (Easley & Horne, 2016).
Tincture – for long-term prevention of migraines take 2-5 mL 2 times a day of a 1:2 ratio tincture (containing fresh leaves and 95% alcohol) (Easley & Horne, 2016) (Chevallier, 2016).
Fresh leaves – eating 1-3 fresh leaves 1-3 times a day may help prevent migraines (Gladstar, 2014) (Chevallier, 2016) (Hoffmann, 2003). To make the leaves more palatable consider adding them to a salad or a sandwich.
Capsules – for symptomatic relief of headaches take a 25-125 mg capsule daily (Chevallier, 2016) (Hoffmann, 2003).
Tablets – taken for headaches (Chevallier, 2016).

Shop our Aches & Pains extract here.

Feverfew Tea Recipe

Feverfew has a distinctive bitter taste, and both the leaves and flowers can be used in preparations of the plant. This recipe was taken from Herbs for Stress & Anxiety (Gladstar, 2014).

Ingredients

1 L water
30 g fresh Feverfew flowers or leaves

Instructions

Boil the water and pour over the Feverfew flowers or leaves.
Cover the mixture and let it steep for 20 minutes.
Strain the mixture and drink ¼ cup every 30 minutes, until the headache is gone.

Safety Considerations

Feverfew has some cautionary measures but is otherwise safe for consumption by most people. It is recommended to take Feverfew in cycles of 5 days on and 2 days off or 3 weeks on and 1 week off. Eating fresh Feverfew leaves can cause mouth soreness or mouth ulcers (Easley & Horne, 2016) (Gladstar, 2014) (Chevallier, 2016) (Hoffmann, 2003).

Contraindications

Based on empirical evidence, early pregnancy may be induced due to the emmenagogue effect of Feverfew. Consumption of Feverfew while pregnant is only advised under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner (Brinker, 1998) (Gardner & McGuffin, 2013).

Drug Interactions

No drug interactions have been documented but it is recommended to avoid Feverfew if you are taking warfarin, aspirin or other blood-thinning medication (Chevallier, 2016) (Hoffmann, 2003).

Adverse Events

Feverfew may cause allergic reactions in people in rare cases. This is most often the case for people allergic to other members of the Asteraceae family, e.g., chamomile (Chevallier, 2016) (Hoffmann, 2003) (Gardner & McGuffin, 2013).

Discontinuation of Feverfew should be done gradually, over approximately 1 month, to avoid symptoms of aches and pains, joint and muscle stiffness and poor sleep (Gardner & McGuffin, 2013).

Disclaimer

The information presented in this post is intended as an informational guide. The remedies, approaches and techniques described herein are meant to supplement, and not to substitute for, professional medical care or treatment. They should not be used to treat a serious ailment without prior consultation with a qualified health care professional.

References

Amiri, P. et al., 2022. Migraine: A Review on Its History, Global Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Comorbidities. Frontiers in neurology, Issue 800605, p. 12.
Brinker, F., 1998. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Chevallier, A., 2016. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. 3rd ed. New York: DK Publishing.
Easley, T. & Horne, S., 2016. The Modern Herbal Dispensatory: A Medicine-Making Guide. California: North Atlantic Books.
Gardner, Z. & McGuffin, M., 2013. Botanical Safety Handbook. 2nd ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
Gladstar, R., 2014. Herbs for Stress & Anxiety. 1 ed. North Adams: Storey Publishing.
Hoffmann, D., 2003. Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. 1st ed. Vermont: Healing Arts Press.
Pareek, A., Suthar, M., Rathore, G. & Bansal, V., 2011. Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.): A systematic review. Pharmacognosy reviews, 5(9), p. 103.

Back to blog

Your cart is empty

Sale