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Feverfew at a Glance
Feverfew, Tanacetum parthenium, is a strongly aromatic member of the Asteraceae family with daisy-like flowers and deeply divided leaves.
Traditional Use
European herbal traditions used feverfew for headaches, feverish complaints and menstrual discomfort. Its modern reputation centers especially on migraine prevention.
What Research Says
Clinical trials of specific feverfew preparations suggest that some standardized products may reduce migraine frequency in some people. Results are mixed, and feverfew is not an acute rescue treatment for a migraine attack.
Preparation
Dried leaf and standardized extracts are the most common modern forms. Because products vary in parthenolide content and other constituents, one preparation should not be assumed equivalent to another.
Safety
Common adverse effects include mouth irritation, mouth ulcers and digestive upset. Feverfew may trigger allergy in people sensitive to ragweed, chamomile, chrysanthemums or other Asteraceae plants. Pregnancy is generally avoided because of traditional uterine concerns and inadequate safety data. Because feverfew may affect platelet function, people using anticoagulant or antiplatelet medicines should discuss medicinal use with a clinician. Abruptly stopping long-term frequent use has historically been associated with rebound-type complaints in some reports.
Folklore
The plant’s old household use gave it associations with protection, relief and resilience in European folk practice. These are traditional symbols rather than clinical effects.
Bottom Line
Feverfew has more migraine-prevention research than many traditional herbs, but the evidence applies to particular preparations and remains mixed. For educational purposes only.