(Tanacetum parthenium)

Originally native to the Balkans, this relative of the common daisy was spread by deliberate planting throughout Europe and the Americas. Feverfew's feathery and aromatic leaves have long been used medicinally to improve childbirth, promote menstruation, induce abortions, relieve rheumatic pain, and treat severe headaches.

Contrary to popular belief, feverfew is not used for lowering fevers. Actually, according to one source, "feverfew" is a corruption of the name "featherfoil."1 Featherfoil became featherfew and ultimately feverfew. In a weird historical reversal, this name then led to a widespread belief among herbalists that feverfew could lower fevers. After a while they noticed that it didn't work, and then angrily rejected feverfew as a useless herb!  The herb was somewhat forgotten, however, until the late 1970s. That's when migraine sufferers started talking about feverfew's potential to ward off these often debilitating headaches. Since then, several well-designed studies have reported success in treating and preventing migraines with feverfew.

Specifically, feverfew may help to prevent and reduce the intensity of migraine headaches.

Although the exact cause of migraines remains a mystery, some experts believe that these headaches may be triggered by the contraction and then sudden dilation of blood vessels in the head. This action appears to release neurochemicals in the brain that cause pain and inflammation. Exactly how feverfew helps migraines remains unclear, although it's most likely due to the contained parthenolides and their ability, among other things, to inhibit the production of certain inflammatory compounds and prevent blood platelets from clumping together (aspirin does this too). When taken preventively, feverfew seems to lessen the intensity of a migraine as well as the occurrence of such associated symptoms as nausea and vomiting.

Its effectiveness for a variety of ailments, including rheumatoid arthritis, is being explored.

Health Concerns
Migraine/headaches

Active Constituents
Feverfew contains a range of compounds known as sesquiterpene lactones. Over 85% of these are a compound called parthenolide.

Warnings
Taken as recommended, standardized feverfew causes minimal side effects. Minor side effects include gastrointestinal upset and nervousness. Feverfew is not recommended during pregnancy or breast-feeding and should not be used by children under the age of two years