Guest guest Posted March 31, 2006 Report Share Posted March 31, 2006 TREASURES Feverfew, Tanacetum parthenium, is a perennial herb also known as Bachelor's Button, Flirtwort, Manzanilla, Featherfoil, and Wild Chamomile. It's often sold as an ornamental plant, not mentioning its status as an herb. However, it's been used as a headache remedy for centuries and is considered a medicinal herb. It was one of the first herbs I grew from a small division that was given to me by my husband's grandmother. I love the bright green soft foliage and the bright daisy-like flowers. I personally haven't used it as a medicinal herb but love having it in my garden. Older books often refer to feverfew as Chrysanthemum parthenium if you are looking for references to it. The blooms are about an inch across and flower from June to August. I've found it really does better in full sun and a well-drained, but average soil. Feverfew can be started from seed or from divisions. It reseeds, and if the original plant becomes woody, you can transplant the volunteers and start over. Don't fertilize the plants too often because it will encourage foliage over blooms. Feverfew is also a great companion plant for the garden because it attracts hover-flies, which eat the larvae of aphids. This is a very good thing! If you do use feverfew as a medicinal herb be cautious. As usual, do not use it if you are pregnant or nursing. You will see recommendations to chew the leaves as a migraine cure, but the oils in the leaves can cause some people to have mouth ulcers. Ouch! Either wrap leaves in bread, or consider making a tea out of the flowers and the leaves. 2 tsp of dried herb or 1 leaf of fresh herb in 1 cup of hot water is suggested. Feverfew is a great filler for flowerbeds because of its pretty blooms and bright foliage. It's also at home in the herb garden or your vegetable garden. It's a very useful ornamental treasure! MORE TIPS: Learn to grow gentle chamomile: http://www.oldfashionedliving.com/chamomile.html The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.~ Albert Einstein ~ Check Out My Groups: Everything Natural http://health./ Everything Magick EverythingMagick/ -- Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.3.4/299 - Release 3/31/2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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