Asteraceae
Fun fact: the name feverfew comes from Latin. Febris, meaning fever, and fugure, which translates to “chase away”; feverfew chases away fevers.[1] Of course, it does a lot more than that.
In the same family as chrysanthemum and chamomile, feverfew was historically considered a woman’s herb, though not to the extent of raspberry leaves. It is most popular today for treating and preventing migraines.[2] Clinical trials suggest that feverfew needs to be taken for 3-6 months or more before the full benefit of migraine relief occurs.[3] [4]
Feverfew looks quite similar to chamomile; the white flowers are about the same size with yellow centers. They’re most easily distinguished by their leaves; chamomile has narrow, feathery leaves. With chamomile, the medicine is in the flower. In contrast, with feverfew, the medicine is primarily in the leaf.
HARVEST
Feverfew reportedly repels bees, so don’t place it near plants that need pollinating.[5]
Harvest the leaves before the plant blooms.[6]
PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
- Abortifacient[7]
- Analgesic[8] [9]
- Anthelmintic[10]
- Decoction[11]
- Anti-inflammatory[12] [13] [14] [15]
- Antipyretic[16] [17]
- Antirheumatic[18]
- Antispasmodic[19]
- Carminative[20]
- Cardiotonic
- Decoction[21]
- Emmenagogue[22] [23]
- Decoction[24]
- Tea, 3 cups per day[25]
- Tincture, 1 teaspoon in 8 oz hot water, 3x per day[26]
- Nervine[27]
- Purgative
- Flowers[28]
- Stimulant[29]
- Tonic
- Cold infusion[30]
PREPARATIONS
Infusion. Cold infusion, fresh plant in flower, 2-4 fluid ounces.[31] 1-4 ounces, 3x per day.[32] 1 heaping teaspoon herb in 8 oz water. 1-2 cups per day, a tablespoon at a time. [33]
Tincture. Fresh plant, 1:2; dried plant, 1:5, 50% alcohol. Dosage: 30-60 drops up to 4x per day.[34] Easley recommends fresh leaf in 95% alcohol, dried leaf in 60% alcohol, dosage of ½-1 teaspoon, 2x per day. [35] Lust’s dosage recommendation is 10-30 drops in water, every 2-3 hours.
USAGE
- Dental/oral
- Gastrointestinal
- Colic[40]
- Warm infusion[41]
- Constipation[42]
- Flatulence
- Warm infusion[43]
- Gastritis
- Especially when combined with chamomile and calendula[44]
- Indigestion
- Warm infusion[45]
- Leaky gut
- Especially when combined with chamomile and calendula[46]
- Stomachache[47]
- Stomach disorders[48] [49]
- Worms[50]
- Musculoskeletal
- Arthritis[51] [52] [53] [54] [55]
- Be patient; don’t expect immediate relief[56]
- Tincture, 60-120 drops, 2x per day
- Rheumatoid arthritis[57] [58]
- Be patient; don’t expect immediate relief
- Spasms[59]
- Neurological
- Headache[60] [61] [62]
- Migraine[63] [64] [65]
- Migraine, preventative
- Chew 1-3 fresh leaves per day on a piece of bread[66] [67]
- Capsules of freeze-dried feverfew (to avoid mouth ulcers), 50-100 mg per day[68] [69]
- Capsules, 300-400 mg per day[70]
- Tincture, 10-30 drops per day[71] [72]
- Migraine, acute
- Capsule, 300 mg every 30 minutes, maximum of 4 times per day[73]
- Nerve pain[74]
- Vertigo[75]
- Respiratory
- Asthma[76] [77]
- Bronchitis[78]
- Common cold[79]
- Warm infusion[80]
- Cough[81]
- Earache[82]
- Fever[83] [84] [85] [86]
- Tinnitus[87]
- Skin
- Urogenital
- Childbirth[91] [92]
- Expel placenta[93] [94]
- Kidney pain[95]
- Menstrual cramps[96] [97]
- Menstrual irregularities[98] [99] [100] [101]
- Potential miscarriage (which seems to contradict its use as an abortifacient) [104]
- Other
Feverfew Migraine Tincture
California poppy (flower, leaf, and seed)
Feverfew leaf
Lavender buds
80-proof alcohol
In a small jar, combine equal parts of all herbs. Cover with alcohol. Vacuum seal jar. Place in a dark cabinet and shake daily for 4-6 weeks. Strain and discard herb. Transfer tincture to a clean jar or tincture bottle.
For chronic migraines, take ½ teaspoon 2x per day for up to 12 weeks. Discontinue for 3 weeks, then repeat cycle. For acute onset, take ¼ teaspoon every 20-30 minutes for up to 2 hours. Do not use during menstruation, as this tincture may stimulate bleeding.[109]
CAUTION. Discontinue use if mouth ulcers develop.[110] Withdrawal headaches occur in some long-term feverfew users when they abruptly stop using feverfew. Taper off use to avoid this effect. [111] Avoid use if pregnant.[112] [113] [114] Avoid if taking warfarin or other blood thinners.[115] Do not use in children under 2 years of age.[116]
[1] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2010, 23.
[2] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2010, 25.
[3] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 144.
[4] Mark Stengler, Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies, 2001, 165.
[5] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2010, 24.
[6] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2010, 24.
[7] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[8] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 144.
[9] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 232.
[10] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 232.
[11] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[12] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2010, 24.
[13] Christopher Hobbs, Herbal Remedies for Dummies, 1998, 274.
[14] Mark Stengler, Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies, 2001, 164.
[15] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 232.
[16] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[17] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 144.
[18] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 144.
[19] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[20] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 191.
[21] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[22] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 144.
[23] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 191.
[24] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[25] Christopher Hobbs, Herbal Remedies for Dummies, 1998, 80.
[26] Christopher Hobbs, Herbal Remedies for Dummies, 1998, 80.
[27] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 232.
[28] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 191.
[29] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 191.
[30] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 191.
[31] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antibiotics, 2012, 378.
[32] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 232.
[33] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 191.
[34] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antibiotics, 2012, 378.
[35] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 233.
[36] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2010, 23.
[37] Mark Stengler, Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies, 2001, 164.
[38] Mark Stengler, Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies, 2001, 166.
[39] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[40] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[41] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 191.
[42] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[43] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 191.
[44] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 232.
[45] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 191.
[46] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 232.
[47] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[48] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2010, 23.
[49] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[50] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[51] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2010, 23.
[52] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 144.
[53] Christopher Hobbs, Herbal Remedies for Dummies, 1998, 274.
[54] Mark Stengler, Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies, 2001, 164.
[55] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[56] Mark Stengler, Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies, 2001, 165.
[57] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 144.
[58] Mark Stengler, Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies, 2001, 165.
[59] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[60] Sam Coffman, The Herbal Medic, 2014, 57.
[61] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2010, 23.
[62] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[63] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 144.
[64] Christopher Hobbs, Herbal Remedies for Dummies, 1998, 274.
[65] Mark Stengler, Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies, 2001, 164.
[66] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2010, 23.
[67] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 144.
[68] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2010, 25.
[69] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 144.
[70] Mark Stengler, Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies, 2001, 165.
[71] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 144.
[72] Mark Stengler, Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies, 2001, 165.
[73] Mark Stengler, Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies, 2001, 165.
[74] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2010, 23.
[75] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[76] Mark Stengler, Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies, 2001, 164.
[77] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[78] Mark Stengler, Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies, 2001, 164.
[79] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[80] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 191.
[81] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[82] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[83] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 144.
[84] Christopher Hobbs, Herbal Remedies for Dummies, 1998, 229.
[85] Mark Stengler, Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies, 2001, 164.
[86] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[87] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[88] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[89] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[90] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[91] Mark Stengler, Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies, 2001, 164.
[92] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[93] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2010, 23.
[94] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 144.
[95] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[96] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2010, 23.
[97] Mark Stengler, Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies, 2001, 164.
[98] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2010, 23.
[99] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 144.
[100] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[101] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[102] Christopher Hobbs, Herbal Remedies for Dummies, 1998, 80.
[103] Christopher Hobbs, Herbal Remedies for Dummies, 1998, 80.
[104] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[105] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 191.
[106] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 191.
[107] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[108] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
[109] Rosemary Gladstar, Medicinal Herbs, 2012, 154.
[110] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2010, 23.
[111] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2010, 25.
[112] Rebecca L. Johnson, et al., Guide to Medicinal Herbs, 2010, 25.
[113] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 144.
[114] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 232.
[115] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 144.
[116] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210009/
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