Feverfew

Despite its name, feverfew is not recommended for reducing a fever. Although it does have a few other alleged uses, feverfew has proved itself in clinical studies as a way to prevent chronic, recurrent migraine headaches.

How It Works

Native to southeastern Europe, feverfew is now found all over Europe, Australia, and North America. Historically, feverfew was used medicinally to improve childbirth, promote menstruation, induce abortions, and relieve rheumatic pain. Although evidence is lacking for feverfew's role in dealing with those medical issues, evidence does point to feverfew as an effective method in managing migraines. It contains a compound called parthenolide that helps control the expansion and contraction of blood vessels in the brain. When these blood vessels contract and expand abnormally, migraines, along with their gruesome symptoms of nausea, throbbing pain, and sensitivity to light, occur.

Researchers believe that parthenolide seems to affect this contraction and expansion by releasing serotonin, an important chemical messenger in the brain responsible for vasoconstriction, and reducing the synthesis of histamines and prostaglandins, chemicals associated with inflammation. However, some researchers believe that other compounds in feverfew are responsible for migraine relief. Even so, these compounds have yet to be discovered.

What It Might Do for You

This doesn't mean, though, that you can reach for feverfew to relieve a migraine once it starts. Feverfew has no effect on migraine attacks once they flare up. Instead, it works as a prophylaxis - that means it works as a preventative measure and must be taken daily to have an effect.

Researchers suspect that feverfew may also help combat menstrual cramps and arthritic inflammation, although these uses are not as well substantiated.

Potential Side Effects

Although there have been no serious reports of toxicity, potential side effects include mild stomach upset and, if you chew the feverfew leaf, mouth sores. However, this does not seem to be a problem if you take the encapsulated leaf powder - the typical form.

Herb-Drug Interactions

As with any herb, be careful about using large amounts over an extended period of time. If you decide to take feverfew, talk to your doctor. Since it may interfere with blood-clotting cells known as platelets, it should not be combined with anticoagulants, such as Coumadin (warfarin) or heparin. Furthermore, feverfew should not be taken in combination with other blood thinning herbs such as gingko biloba, garlic, ginseng and ginger. Feverfew may also increase the risk of stomach problems if combined with anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS). Since feverfew is a member of the ragweed family it should be avoided by those with an allergy to ragweed.

Principal Author:

Stefanie Perelman, M.S., R.D., holds a B.A. in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master's in clinical dietetics from New York University. A registered dietitian, she presently works at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx and is available for private consultation.

Nutrition Editor

Donna Tinnerello MS, RD, CD/N is registered dietitian with more than 10 years experience in HIV and nutrition. She works in lower Manhattan at Cabrini Medical Center, the community and in private practice. Her subspecialties are cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal disease, diabetes and weight loss. Donna is available for private consultation by referral only.