Feverfew is a composite plant that is abundant all over the World. It has numerous, small, daisylike heads of yellow flowers with external white rays, the central yellow blossoms being arranged on a nearly level receptacle. It is a member of the sunflower family and is occasionally grown for ornament. Feverfew is widely used like aspirin, to treat headaches and pain. Along with headaches, feverfew can be used for reducing fever, for treating arthritis, digestive problems and muscle spasms/rheumatism. The most popular current use of feverfew is for migraines. It appears to be the release of serotonin and prostaglandins in the plant that help treat migraines. Feverfew limits the inflammation of blood vessels in the head. This stops the blood vessel spasm many believe contribute to headaches and especially migraines. Migraine sufferers may grow this plant in order to chew a few fresh leaves to avert a headache, or may take fresh or dried herbs prophylactically. A number of studies have examined the use of feverfew to prevent migraine.
In 2000, a systematic review of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of feverfew for migraine prophylaxis found that four of six trials showed a positive effect. Scientifically, the main chemical constituents of feverfew are its volatile oils, (primarily camphor and chrysanthenyl acetate), sesquiterpene lactones (esp. panthenolide) and flavonoids.
Feverfew leaf extracts work by inhibiting :
- the release of serotonin from blood platelets.
- the release of granule contents from white blood cells and neutrophils.
- platelet aggregation.
- the arachidonic acid pathway, which decreases synthesis of the inflammatory chemical mediators, prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Common oral dosage: 50-250 mg of dried leaf, per day, in capsule form.
Contraindications and side effects :
- No health hazards or side effects have been noted with the normal therapeutic doses of feverfew leaf, ingested in many cases for a number of years.
- Feverfew is contraindicated in pregnancy.
- Mouth ulceration (aphthous ulcers) has occurred in roughly 11% of feverfew uses, and is a systemic effect, rather than contact dermatitis which produces generalized inflammation of the oral mucosa and tongue, with swelling of the lips and loss of taste.
Drug /herb interactions :
- None documented.
- Although no bleeding episodes or ab normal coagulation tests have so far been reported linked to feverfew use, patients who are taking blood thinners or products known to promote bleeding should avoid using feverfew, or have their bleeding times monitored.
References
- Ernst E, Pittler MH. The efficacy and safety of feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L): an update of a systematic review. Public Health Nutrition 2000;3(4A):509-514.
- Heptinstall S, Awang DVC. Feverfew: A review of its history, its biological and medicinal properties, and the status of commercial preparations of the herb. In: Phyto-medicines of Europe – Chemistry and Biological Activity. Lawson LD, Bauer R, Eds.Washington, DC: American Chemical Society, ACS Symposium Series, 1998 No. 691. Johnson S. Feverfew: A traditional herbal remedy for migraine and arthritis 1984. London: Sheldon Press. Pfaffenrath V, et al. The efficacy and safety of Tanacetum parthenium (feverfew) in migraine prophylaxis – a double-blind, multicentre, randomized, placebo-controlled dose-response study. Cephalalgia 2002;22:523-532.
