Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is well-documented for its efficacy in treating migraines and headaches.[1] The herb contains volatile oils such as pinene, bornyl acetate, angelate, costic acid, farnesine, and spiroketal enol ethers.
The migraine-relieving effect of feverfew is attributed to the prominent sesquiterpene lactone called parthenolide, [2,3] that reduces the severe constriction of blood vessels and alleviates pain.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted on patients who were taking fresh leaves for migraine had better control over the frequency and severity of their headaches than those simply taking placebo. [4]
Another study, published in the British medical journal Lancet, documented that patients treated with the leaf powder of the feverfew herb in the form of capsules (equal to the powder of two medium-sized leaves) experienced a 24 percent reduction in the severity of headaches and other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.[5] The research also found that the herb may be useful not only in treating classical migraine and cluster headaches, but also other headaches caused by menstruation and other conditions.[6]
Feverfew is also beneficial in relieving the classical form of migraine that increases the patient’s sensitivity to light.[7]
How To Take It
Chew two to three leaves of feverfew twice daily to prevent migraine attacks and reduce their intensity. You can also steep three to four leaves in a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes to make a soothing tea and have it twice daily.
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References:
1. Johnson ES. patients who chew chrysanthemum leaves. MIMS Magazine. 1983:May 15:32-5.
2. Groenwegen WA, Knight DW, et al. Compounds extracted from feverfew that have anti-secretory activity contain an a-methylene butyrolacttone unit. J Pharm Pharmacol. 1986;38:709-712.
3. Williams CA, Hoult JR, et al. A biologically active lipophilic flavonol from Tanacetum parthenium. Phytochemistry. 1995;38(1):267-70.
4. Johnson ES, Kadam NP, et al. Efficacy of feverfew as prophylactic treatment of migraine. BMJ. 1985;291:569-573.
5. Murphy JJ. Heptinstall S, et al. Randomized, double-blind, placebo- controlled trial of feverfew in migraine prevention. Lancet. 1988:189-192.
6. Patrick M, Heptinstall S, et al. Feverfew in rheumatoid arthritis: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Annal Rheu Dis. 1989:48:547-549.
7. Groenewegen WA, Knight DW, Heptinstall S. Progress in the medicinal chemistry of the herb feverfew. Prog Med Chem. 1992;29:217–38.
