Feverfew

The herb feverfew is common in Central Asia and the Balkans. It is now widely cultivated all over the planet. For medicinal purposes, Feverfew seeds are typically dried and used. However, Fresh leaves are sometimes used.

Feverfew is most commonly used orally to treat migraine headaches. Although there is no clear clinical evidence to support these claims, feverfew is also taken orally for scratching, anxiety headaches, and a variety of other ailments.

What is Feverfew, Exactly?

Feverfew is thought to have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. Apparently, Drug stores, grocery stores, and retailers sell it over the counter. According to the evidence currently available, feverfew has little clinical potential for rheumatoid arthritis.

Family: Sunflower (Compositae) is a seasonal plant that belongs to the Compositae tribe.

Scientists named it Tanacetum parthenium or Chrysanthemum parthenium.

Feverfew is an annual plant that originated in Eastern Europe and Asia Minor, but is now cultivated all over Europe and America. The seeds are being used to make components,  which are used for medicinal reasons, and you can buy them from large supermarkets.

How Does it Work?

1. Feverfew has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. It’s been proposed that it inhibits the release of serotonin, an infectious agent, through your blood cells and delays the synthesis of histamine, a chemical messenger throughout your body. In migraine headaches, both serotonin and histamine play essential roles.If you’re thinking about taking herbal remedies, talk to your doctor first. You may also want to talk to a doctor who specialises in herbal/health supplement use.If you decide to take feverfew, make sure to follow the instructions on the package or those provided by your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. Using just as much of this substance as the label specifies.Feverfew in any form (tablets, powder, solution, teas, etc.) should not be used concurrently with other medical treatments. When you combine different formulations, you run the risk of overdosing.

   The use of raw feverfew may be hazardous. Fresh leaves may cause sore throats, swelling of the lips or tongue, and a loss of sensation when chewed.

   Topical usage Feverfew (for the skin) should not be taken orally. The topical formulations are only used on and recommended for the scalp. Contact your doctor if the disease you’re treating with feverfew does not improve or worsens while you’re using it.

   Feverfew will prevent blood clotting, putting you at risk of bleeding. Therefore, stop using feverfew at least two weeks before any surgery, dental treatment, or other medical procedure.

1. IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND USAGE CONDITIONS:This herb is intended to complement, not substitute, medical recommendations from your physician or medical professional, and it does not include all potential purposes, risks, experiences, or side effects. Therefore, you should consult a doctor or any competent medical professional.

Is Feverfew Safe to Use?

1. We haven’t seen any big safety issues with short-term use, but about long-term safety use, there is no proper evidence.
   • Ulcers in the mouth
   • Heartburn and digestive problems
   • Intestinal cramping colicky

   Although interactions with some other medications haven’t really been thoroughly investigated, feverfew can damage blood vessels if taken with anticoagulants.

   There are no approved effective doses for use in musculoskeletal disorders. Previous RCTs of feverfew in migraine patients found that doses of 50 to 140 mg of powdered or granulated leaf supplies daily were effective.

Feverfew and Migraines Connection?

1. People have been using feverfew to manage migraines for years.Migraines are headaches that strike one area of the head and range in severity from mild to intense. They usually come with throbbing, pulsating, or beating agony.Parthenolide and tanetin, two compounds found in feverfew, inhibit the formation of prostaglandins, which are inflammatory molecules.

   Parthenolide inhibits serotonin receptors, prevents blood plasma from producing inflammatory agents, prevents blood flow to the brain from expanding (vasodilation), and prevents smooth muscle spasms, according to the findings.

   Feverfew trials on humans and migraines, on the other hand, have shown mixed findings. Furthermore, it was only marginally more powerful than a placebo, according to the studies. Every month, people who took feverfew had 0.6 fewer migraines than those who took a placebo. However, feverfew has been shown to be only marginally effective in the treatment of migraines.

Potential Advantages

1. Feverfew may have additional health benefits for people who suffer from migraines:Anticancer properties: It has been demonstrated that feverfew reduces cancer cells.Pain Relief : Feverfew’s anti-inflammatory properties can help with pain relief.

   Elevated Mood: Feverfew has been shown to help alleviate anxiety and depressive symptoms.

   Rosacea treatment: Topical creams containing parthenolide-free feverfew extract can help treat acne rosacea by reducing inflammation. Since parthenolide can irritate the skin, it’s not used in topical creams widely.

Possible Side Effects

1. However, not all side effects are recognized, feverfew is generally considered to be harmless when used for a brief period of time.The Following Are Some of The Most Common Side Effects:
   • Heartburn, indigestion, fatigue, and vomiting
   • Heat, bloating, diarrhoea, and bowel problems are all symptoms of constipation
   • Heartbeats that are pounding
   • Headaches, dizziness, and jitters
   • Night disturbances (insomnia), tiredness
   • Gaining weight
   • Stiffness of the joints
   • Rashness
   • Alterations in the menstrual cycle

   This is not an exhaustive list of potential side effects; there may be others too. Contact an expert to know more about the adverse effects.

   Feverfew is widely regarded as safe, with very few reported side effects.

   Even so, people have only focused on the impact on the body in the short term. There hasn’t been much research on long-term consequences (more than four months).

   Feverfew can cause stomach pains, heartburn, diarrhoea, bowel problems, fatigue, dizziness, and tiredness in some people.

   Pregnant women should avoid taking feverfew because it can cause premature contractions. Furthermore, there is inadequate evidence to guarantee that it is healthy for breastfeeding mothers.

   People that are allergic to ragweed or other plants in the Asteraceae or systems in different plant families, including such daisies, marigolds, and chrysanthemums, must stay away from this herb.

   Since the supplement can interfere with some drugs, especially blood thinners and liver medicines, it’s better to consult a physician before using it.

Recommendations and Dosage

1. At the moment, there is no approved prescribed dosage for feverfew.Nonetheless, studies show that taking 100–300 mg of a feverfew factor containing 0.2–0.4% parthenolide 1–4 times per day can help with migraine headaches.Feverfew is classified as a tincture or fluid extract, which is frequently used to treat arthritis. But even so, there is inadequate evidence that suggests it for this reason.

   It’s also sold as tea, something that you can find in natural food shops or on Amazon.

   Please keep in mind that feverfew is not suitable for everyone, especially if you are pregnant or taking multiple medications. Consult your physician if you have any questions.

The Bottom Line

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is an important migraine remedy. However, recent studies suggest that it is only somewhat more successful than just a placebo. Feverfew has also been linked to pain relief, anticancer properties, an improved attitude, and the reduction of acne rosacea.

While this remedy is relatively safe, if you’ve any questions, you can always seek an expert’s guide.