Featherfew
Scientific Name: Feverfew
Other Names: Altamisa, Chrysanthemum parthenium, Flirtwort, Pyrethrum parthenium, Tanacetum parthenium, Wild Chamomile, Wild Quinine
Should I take it?
Feverfew is a perennial plant that grows wild along roadsides and in other uncultivated areas of land. Common in most mild climates, it resembles miniature daisy plants, with multiple dime-sized flowers that have flat, golden yellow centers surrounded by short white petals. Plants are usually about 2 feet tall. They have fuzzy stems and feathery, light green leaves. Although feverfew is often planted in flower gardens--especially in Europe--it has a strong, somewhat unpleasant smell. Because of its smell, it has been used as an insect repellant and gardeners may plant it around roses and other flowers to help keep pests out of the garden.
For use in medicine, the leaves of feverfew are collected before the flowers bloom. Traditionally, the leaves were used fresh, but preparations made from dried feverfew are more common today. Occasionally, feverfew tea has been used as a mouth rinse to relieve toothaches.
Dosage and Administration
Historically, feverfew has been taken by chewing two or three fresh leaves--usually one after the first meal and last meal of the day or one after all three meals. Because chewing fresh feverfew may cause mouth and stomach irritation, using it after a meal may reduce the likelihood of these side effects. More readily available feverfew preparations now include capsules, extracts, and tablets made from dried feverfew leaves. These commercial preparations generally do not irritate mouth or stomach tissue. However, products made from fresh feverfew may be more active than those made from dried feverfew.
Although dosages differ greatly, common doses used in studies to prevent migraines were 50 mg or 100 mg per day. Daily doses up to 250 mg have been used without apparent side effects. Feverfew's full effectiveness in preventing migraines may not be evident until feverfew has been taken continually for 4 weeks to 6 weeks.
Commercial feverfew products may be standardized to contain between 0.2% and 0.7% of parthenolide. Standardization by the manufacturer should assure the same amount of active ingredient in every batch of the commercial preparation. Standardization of herbal products is not required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so not every product sold in this country will contain the same amounts of active ingredients.
Feverfew tea may be made by soaking about one teaspoonful of dried feverfew leaves in 5 ounces to 8 ounces of boiling water for 5 minutes to 10 minutes. Once the solids have been strained out, this tea may be consumed as often as desired. It may also be cooled and applied to the skin to repel insects, to relieve insect bites or stings, and to treat skin conditions such as rosacea. Occasionally, warm or cooled feverfew tea has been used as a mouth rinse to relieve toothaches and gum irritation.
Summary
Feverfew is now most often used to prevent migraine headaches. In the past, however, it was used as a treatment for inflammation as well as fever.
Risks
Because feverfew may cause miscarriage, pregnant women should not take it. Small children, breast-feeding women, and individuals who are allergic to plants in the daisy family should also avoid it.
Side Effects
Chewing the fresh leaves of feverfew may result in mouth irritation and loss of taste. All oral forms of feverfew may cause insomnia, muscle or joint discomfort, or nervousness.
Interactions
Taking feverfew may increase the effects of drugs and herbals that decrease blood clotting.
Last Revised April 11, 2008
|
Should I take it? 
