Feverfew (Latin name Tanacetum parthenium) belongs to the Asteraceae or daisy family of plants. It’s a medicinal plant traditionally used for the treatment of fever, migraine headache, rheumatoid arthritis, stomachache, toothache and insect bites. Found in gardens and along roadsides, Feverfew is a beautiful daisy-like perennial. The name “feverfew” stems from the Latin word febrifugia or “fever reducer.”
Uses
Feverfew has historically been used for the prevention and treatment of migraine headaches. A migraine can be caused by increased serotonin release which may be inflammatory and irritating to your nerves, causing pain. Feverfew inhibits serotonin release in the blood by platelets and white blood cells, and may also block serotonin receptors which, over time, may reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches. Combining feverfew with CoQ10 and magnesium can be helpful for reducing the severity and frequency of migraines.
Herbal Qualities
Qualities which herbalists use to describe feverfew are analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-pyretic (fever reducing), anti-rheumatic, bitter, carminative (gas releasing), antispasmodic and useful as an emmenagogue (inducing menstrual flow).
Drug Interactions
Feverfew may inhibit the activity of platelets and should not be used for blood-thinners.
Contraindications
It is contraindicated for use by pregnant women.
Would Feverfew be Right for You?
If you would like to learn how to incorporate this herb into your health regimen, please make an appointment with one of our Naturopathic Physicians or Acupuncturists at Emerge Natural Health Care. Call (360) 787-3615.
References
A combination of coenzyme Q10, feverfew and magnesium for migraine prophylaxis: a prospective observational study ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5577764
Feverfew: The Natural Headache Reliever that May Fight Cancer draxe.com/nutrition/feverfew/
The Elusive Source of Feverfew’s Anti-Migraine Activity herbalgram.org/resources/herbalgram/issues/79/table-of-contents/article3296/
Feverfew in the Treatment of Migraine abipharmaceutical.com/images/pdf/migraine_and_feverfew.pdf
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.): A systematic review ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3210009/