What is Feverfew?

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is a medicinal herb in the daisy family (Asteraceae) that has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. Native to the Balkan Peninsula, it now grows throughout Europe, North America, and Australia.

Active Compounds:

• Parthenolide: The primary active compound (0.2-0.5% in leaves)
• Sesquiterpene lactones: Group of bioactive compounds
• Flavonoids: Antioxidant compounds
• Volatile oils: Including camphor and other terpenes

The leaves are the primary medicinal part, though flowers also contain active compounds.

Primary Functions & Benefits

Primary Uses:

• Migraine Prevention: Most well-researched application
• Headache Relief: General tension and vascular headaches
• Anti-inflammatory: Reduces inflammatory responses
• Fever Reduction: Historical use (hence the name)
• Menstrual Support: May help with menstrual-related symptoms

Research-Backed Benefits:

• Reduces migraine frequency and severity (several clinical trials)
• Decreases migraine-associated symptoms (nausea, light sensitivity)
• May reduce inflammation markers
• Potential arthritis symptom relief
• May help with menstrual pain and regulation
• Possible anti-platelet effects (blood thinning)

Traditional/Folk Uses:

• Fever reduction
• Digestive complaints
• Insect repellent
• Toothaches
• Skin inflammation

Recommended Dosages

Standard Doses:

• Fresh leaves: 2-3 fresh leaves daily
• Dried leaf capsules: 50-150 mg daily (standardized to 0.2-0.7% parthenolide)
• Extract: 100-300 mg daily
• Tincture: 15-30 drops 2-3 times daily
• Tea: 1 cup 1-2 times daily (though less effective due to bitter taste and parthenolide degradation)

For Migraine Prevention:

• Typical dose: 50-150 mg daily of dried leaf extract
• Duration: Minimum 4-6 weeks to see effects; often taken long-term
• Maintenance: Continue for at least 3-4 months for full benefit

Important Notes:

• Standardization to parthenolide content is important (0.2% minimum)
• Fresh leaves contain higher levels but taste very bitter
• Effects are cumulative, not immediate

Natural Sources & Forms

Availability:

• Capsules/Tablets: Most common and convenient
• Fresh leaves: Can be grown in gardens
• Dried leaf: Bulk herb for tea
• Tinctures/Extracts: Liquid concentrates
• Sublingual tablets: Freeze-dried leaves

Growing Your Own:

• Easy to grow perennial herb
• Prefers full sun to partial shade
• Hardy in zones 5-9
• Harvest leaves before flowering for maximum potency

Supplementation Guidelines

Timing & Administration:

• Best time: With meals to reduce stomach upset
• Time of day: Morning or divided doses (morning and evening)
• Consistency: Daily use required for prevention (not acute treatment)
• Duration: Allow 4-6 weeks for effects to manifest

Starting Feverfew:

• Begin with lower doses to assess tolerance
• Gradually increase to therapeutic range
• Take consistently for best results
• Track migraine frequency to assess effectiveness

Synergistic Supplements

Take WITH Feverfew:

• Magnesium: Complementary for migraine prevention (300-600 mg daily)
• Riboflavin (B2): Enhances migraine prevention (400 mg daily)
• Coenzyme Q10: Works synergistically for migraines (100-300 mg daily)
• Butterbur: Another herb for migraines (use PA-free only)
• Ginger: Complementary anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea effects

Beneficial Combinations:

• The "Migraine Triple": Feverfew + Magnesium + Riboflavin
• Anti-inflammatory stack: Feverfew + Turmeric + Omega-3s
• Menstrual support: Feverfew + Vitex (chasteberry)

Interactions & What NOT to Take

Avoid Combining With:

• Blood thinners (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel): Increased bleeding risk
• NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen): May reduce feverfew effectiveness
• Antiplatelet drugs: Additive blood-thinning effects

Medications That May Interact:

• Migraine medications (triptans): Monitor for interactions
• Liver-metabolized drugs: Feverfew may affect CYP450 enzymes
• Chemotherapy drugs: May interfere with treatment

Herb-Herb Interactions:

• Garlic, ginkgo, ginger: Increased bleeding risk when combined
• Other anticoagulant herbs: Cumulative blood-thinning effects

Who Should Take Feverfew

Ideal Candidates:

• Chronic migraine sufferers (2+ migraines per month)
• People seeking natural migraine prevention
• Those with contraindications to conventional migraine drugs
• Individuals with tension headaches
• People with inflammatory conditions (arthritis, joint pain)
• Women with menstrual-related migraines or pain
• Those looking to reduce NSAID dependency

Best Results Seen In:

• People with classic migraines (with or without aura)
• Those willing to commit to 3-4 months of consistent use
• Individuals combining feverfew with lifestyle migraine management

Who Should AVOID or Use Caution

Contraindications:

• Pregnant women: May stimulate uterine contractions
• Breastfeeding mothers: Safety not established
• Children under 2: Safety not established
• People allergic to Asteraceae family: Ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies
• Pre-surgical patients: Stop 2 weeks before surgery (bleeding risk)
• People with bleeding disorders: Increased bleeding risk

Use Caution:

• Those taking blood-thinning medications
• People with scheduled medical procedures
• Individuals with liver disease
• Those taking multiple medications metabolized by liver

Deficiency Symptoms

Note: Feverfew is not an essential nutrient, so there are no deficiency symptoms. However, conditions that may benefit from feverfew include:

Signs You Might Benefit:

• Frequent migraines (2+ per month)
• Chronic headaches unresponsive to other treatments
• Inflammatory conditions causing pain
• Menstrual irregularities with pain
• Family history of migraines

Side Effects & Adverse Reactions

Common Side Effects:

• Mouth ulcers and oral irritation (especially from fresh leaves)
• Digestive upset (nausea, bloating, gas)
• Altered taste sensation
• Mild stomach pain
• Tongue swelling or numbness

Less Common:

• Skin rash or contact dermatitis
• Increased heart rate
• Dizziness
• Weight gain (rare)
• Anxiety or nervousness (rare)

Post-Feverfew Syndrome:

When stopping after long-term use, some people experience:

• Rebound headaches
• Anxiety
• Difficulty sleeping
• Joint pain and stiffness
• Nervousness

Prevention: Taper off gradually rather than stopping abruptly

Allergic Reactions:

• Skin rashes
• Itching
• Difficulty breathing (rare but serious)
• Swelling of face, lips, tongue

Toxicity & Overdose

Safety Profile:

• Generally considered safe at recommended doses
• Low toxicity in most studies
• No established toxic dose in humans

Excessive Intake May Cause:

• Severe digestive distress
• Increased bleeding tendency
• Allergic reactions
• Potential liver stress (theoretical)

Long-term Safety:

• Studies show safety up to 4 months of continuous use
• Longer-term use appears safe but less data available
• Periodic breaks may be advisable (consult practitioner)

Special Considerations

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding:

• Avoid during pregnancy: May stimulate menstruation and uterine contractions
• Avoid while breastfeeding: Passes into breast milk; effects unknown
• Traditional use as abortifacient substance

Surgery:

• Stop at least 2 weeks before scheduled surgery
• May increase bleeding risk during and after procedures
• Inform surgeon and anesthesiologist of use

Effectiveness Timeline:

• Not effective for acute migraines: Must be taken preventatively
• Initial effects: 4-6 weeks minimum
• Full benefits: Often 3-4 months of consistent use
• Individual variation: Some respond within weeks, others need months

Quality Considerations:

• Choose standardized extracts (minimum 0.2% parthenolide)
• Third-party testing important (heavy metals, contaminants)
• Fresh leaves most potent but least palatable
• Store dried feverfew away from light and moisture

Research Evidence

Strong Evidence For:

• Migraine prevention (multiple clinical trials)
• Reduction in migraine frequency

Moderate Evidence For:

• Reducing migraine severity
• Anti-inflammatory effects
• Menstrual symptom relief

Limited/Mixed Evidence For:

• Acute headache treatment
• Arthritis symptom relief
• Fever reduction

Mechanism of Action:

• Inhibits serotonin release from platelets
• Prevents blood vessel constriction in the brain
• Reduces inflammatory prostaglandins
• Inhibits platelet aggregation

Summary & Key Takeaways

Feverfew is a well-researched herb primarily used for migraine prevention. It requires consistent, long-term use (minimum 4-6 weeks, ideally 3-4 months) to be effective and works preventatively rather than as an acute treatment.

Bottom Line: Best for chronic migraine sufferers willing to commit to daily use for several months. Combine with magnesium and riboflavin for enhanced effects. Avoid during pregnancy, before surgery, and if taking blood thinners. Choose standardized extracts for consistent results and be patient this isn't a quick fix but can be highly effective for the right person.

Realistic Expectations: Studies show feverfew can reduce migraine frequency by 24-60% in responsive individuals, but not everyone responds. Give it a full 3-month trial before determining effectiveness.