Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)

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Good Morning!

 

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)

 

Feverfew is primarily used for prevention of chronic, recurrent

migraine headaches. It must be taken religiously every day for best

results. Feverfew is also sometimes used at the onset of a migraine

attack. It is not believed to be effective for cluster or tension

headaches. It is important to remember that serious diseases may

occasionally first present themselves as migraine-type headaches. For

this reason, proper medical diagnosis is essential if you suddenly

start having migraines without a previous history, or if the pattern

of your migraines changes significantly. Feverfew is sometimes

recommended for various forms of arthritis.

 

Safety: Among the many thousands of people who use feverfew as a folk

medicine in England, there have been no reports of serious toxicity.

Animal studies suggest that feverfew is essentially nontoxic. In the

8-month Nottingham trial, there were no significant differences in

side effects between the treated and control groups. There were also

no changes in measurements on blood tests and urinalysis.

 

In a survey involving 300 people, 11.3% reported mouth sores from

chewing feverfew leaf, occasionally accompanied by general

inflammation of tissues in the mouth.15 A smaller percentage reported

mild gastrointestinal distress. However, mouth sores do not seem to

occur in people who use encapsulated feverfew leaf powder, the usual

form.

 

In view of its use as a folk remedy to promote abortions, feverfew

should probably not be taken during pregnancy.

 

Because feverfew might slightly inhibit the activity of blood-

clotting cells known as platelets, it should not be combined with

strong anticoagulants, such as Coumadin (warfarin) or heparin, except

on medical advice. Feverfew might also increase the risk of stomach

problems if combined with anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin.

Safety in young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with

severe kidney or liver disease has not been established.

 

Dosage: Given the recent confusion surrounding parthenolide, previous

dosage recommendations for feverfew based on parthenolide content

have been cast in doubt. At the present time, the best recommendation

is probably to take 80 to 100 mg of powdered whole feverfew leaf

daily. When taken at the onset of a migraine headache, higher amounts

of feverfew are often used. However, the optimum dosage has not been

determined.

 

Contraindications: If you are taking Coumadin (warfarin), heparin,

aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Do not use

feverfew except on medical advice.

 

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk LMT, MT-BC, CA

Peacefulmind.com

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