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Category

Herbs & Supplements

Alternate Title

Tanacetum parthenium, Parthenolide

Synonyms

Altamisa, bachelor's button, camomille grande, crysanthemum parthenium, featherfew, featherfoil, febrifuge plant, federfoy, flirtwort, Leucanthemum parthenium, Matricaria capensis, matricaria eximia hort, Matricaria parthenium L., midsummer daisy, MIG-99, mother herb, mutterkraut, nosebleed, Parthenium hysterophorus, parthenolide, Pyrenthrum parthenium L., santa maria, Tanacetum parthenium, wild chamomile, wild quinine.

Background

Feverfew is an herb that has been used traditionally for fevers, as its name denotes, although this effect has not been well studied.

Feverfew is most commonly taken by mouth for the prevention of migraine headache. Several human trials have been conducted with mixed results. Overall, these studies suggest that feverfew taken daily as dried leaf capsules may reduce the incidence of headache attacks in patients who experience chronic migraines. However, this research has been poorly designed and reported.

There is currently inconclusive evidence regarding the use of feverfew for symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Feverfew appears to be well tolerated in clinical trials, with a mild and reversible side effects profile. The most common adverse effect appears to be mouth ulceration and inflammation with direct exposure to leaves. In theory, there may be an increased risk of bleeding.

Evidence

DISCLAIMER: These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Migraine headache prevention: Feverfew is often taken by mouth for the prevention of migraine headaches. Laboratory studies show that feverfew can reduce inflammation and prevent blood vessel constriction (squeezing) that may lead to headaches. Most of the available human studies are not high quality, and report mixed results. However, overall they do suggest that feverfew may reduce the number of headaches that occur in people with frequent migraines. A large, well-designed study comparing feverfew to other migraine treatments is needed before a strong recommendation can be made.
Grade: B

Rheumatoid arthritis: It is not clear if feverfew if helpful for treating rheumatoid arthritis symptoms such as joint stiffness or pain.
Grade: C

Tradition

WARNING: DISCLAIMER: The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)

2 to 3 dried leaves (approximately 60 milligrams) have been taken daily, or 50 to 250 milligrams of a dried leaf preparation taken daily, standardized to 0.2% parthenolide (a common dose is 125 milligrams daily). Human studies have used 50 to 114 milligrams of feverfew powdered leaves daily, packed into capsules, standardized to 0.2% parthenolide, or 0.50 milligrams of parthenolide daily. Doses of 70 to 86 milligrams of dried chopped feverfew leaves in capsules, taken once daily, have been also used.

Children (younger than 18 years)

There is not enough scientific information to safely recommend feverfew for use in children.