Feverfew

Feverfew is one of those herbs that isn’t well understood by the general public. It’s primarily sold as a remedy for migraine headaches due to research conducted in Britain in the 1980s, which showed it was helpful in preventing migraines. Further research has suggested that certain compounds called parthenolides are likely responsible. Because of this, the plant is often sold in the form of a standardized extract ensuring a certain amount of parthenolides are present. 

Feverfew and Migraines

When it comes to using feverfew for migraines there are several things you need to know. First of all, it’s not a cure for migraines and it will not relieve the pain of a migraine that’s already started. It’s a palliative for migraines. Taken regularly feverfew can reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines, but it does not fix any of the root causes of migraines. In fact, some people who have taken it have found that migraine headaches return and were more severe after it was discontinued.

It also doesn't work on all types of migraines. It works primarily for vasodilative migraines where the pain is pounding or throbbing. Other indications it might be helpful include indigestion, blood stagnation, and a pale, bluish complexion that becomes red with fever or headache. Also don’t use feverfew if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.

I seldom recommend feverfew for migraines because I prefer to try to identify root causes and work to remove them to prevent migraines from happening at all. Some common root causes that lead to migraines include magnesium deficiency, tension in the neck, food allergies, anemia. Fixing these underlying health issues can help to prevent migraines. I go into more depth about migraines and their root causes in Strategies for Health.

Traditional Uses for Feverfew

The name feverfew suggests its primary traditional use. It’s a remedy that’s been used to reduce inflammation and fever. Like many other fever-reducing herbs, it was taken as a hot tea to induce perspiration, the traditional method for bringing down a fever.  It was also traditionally used for arthritis and as a general headache remedy. It appears to affect prostaglandins involved in inflammation, but I think there are more reliable anti-inflammatory remedies. 

I do think it can be successfully combined with other analgesics for both inflammation and pain relief. Several herbalists have combined it with willow bark, meadowsweet, and turmeric in formulas to ease headaches and reduce inflammation.

In large doses, feverfew has been used as an emmenagogue to stimulate menstruation. It was used traditionally to stimulate labor and help expel the afterbirth. It’s this effect that makes it contraindicated in pregnancy.

Other Uses for Feverfew

The parthenolides in feverfew are a type of sesquiterpene lactones.  These bitter compounds have been found to produce a variety of beneficial effects. They inhibit prostaglandin synthesis which can reduce inflammation, decrease the rate of platelet aggregation which can inhibit blood clotting, and inhibit histamine release from immune cells which can reduce allergic reactions. All of these properties may be part of its antimigraine effect, but they can also make it useful for blood stagnation and varicose veins, and congested menstruation with clotting. 

Feverfew is a bitter and thus has a stimulating effect on digestive secretions. Like other bitters, it may help ease bloating and stimulate appetite. It may also have a beneficial effect on gut microflora, as it may have some mild antimicrobial activity. 

Topically, feverfew has been helpful for skin disorders involving reddish complexion, such as rosacea. It has also been used topically to soothe psoriasis, shrink varicose veins, and to ease insect bites and stings. 

Using Feverfew

As I understand it, the parthenolides believed to be responsible for much of the effect of feverfew are not very stable. In fact, I read years ago that the best effects from feverfew as a migraine preventative were obtained by chewing on the fresh or frozen leaves (two leaves a day). Feverfew is quite easy to grow. So, you can try using it fresh, but remember it is bitter.

Thus, most people are likely to take it in a capsule form. Preferably this should be a freeze-dried product or a standardized extract. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Again, avoid in pregnancy, but also use with caution if you have allergies to other members of the Aster family (e.g. ragweed, chamomile) or are taking blood thinners.