Product Information:

Feverfew - Latin name: Tanacetum parthenium, Other names: Featherfoil, Midsummer Daisy, A Remedy For: Migraines

Several clinical trials have shown that Feverfew reduces the frequency and severity of migraine headaches when taken in small amounts daily. It has no other scientifically verified effects, but has also been used for arthritis, allergies, cramps, indigestion, postnatal bleeding, painful menstruation, other gynecological disorders, and intestinal parasites.

In folk medicine, it is regarded as a general tonic, tranquilizer, and "blood purifier." As a wash or rinse, it is used to prevent infection and reduce swelling from wounds and tooth extraction.

What It Is; Why It Works
Feverfew is a strongly aromatic perennial that originated in southeastern Europe and is now found all over Europe, Australia, and North America. Externally, it is also used as an insecticide and was formerly found in insect powders. Only the leaf is used medicinally.

Feverfew contains an active ingredient called parthenolide that seems to affect the release of serotonin--an important chemical messenger in the brain--while reducing the level of certain chemicals associated with inflammation, including histamines and prostaglandins. Its migraine-preventing effect takes 4 to 6 weeks to appear.

Special Cautions / Avoid If...
Potential side effects include edginess and upset stomach, but customary doses rarely cause any problem. Skin reactions due to contact with the herb are also a possibility. No known medical conditions preclude the use of Feverfew. Not for use in children under 2 years.

Special Information:
If You Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding- No harmful effects have been documented, but use of Feverfew during pregnancy is not recommended.

Possible Drug Interactions
No interactions have been reported.