Tanacetum parthenium

Family: Asteraceae

History & Growing: Native to Europe (and later introduced to the Americas), feverfew is a hardy perennial that grows to about 2 feet tall. It grows easily from seed, enjoys full sun, and is not overly particular about soil. Feverfew readily self-seeds, and can overtake a bed if the flowers are not harvested often. The flowers resemble its relative, chamomile, but has notably different taste and actions. Its name is derived from the Latin word febrifugia – “fever reducer”

Parts Used Medicinally: Aerial portions (leaves and flowers)

Supplementation Forms:  Tea, tincture, capsule, compress

Taste: Aromatic bitter

Energetics: Cooling & drying

Actions:

• Analgesic
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anthelmintic
• Antimicrobial & antiprotozoal
• Antispasmodic
• Bitter tonic
• Carminative
• Diaphoretic
• Emmenagogue
• Febrifuge (fever-reducing)
• Nervine
• Stomachic
• Vasodilator (opens and relaxes blood vessels)

Organs & Body Systems Herb Acts Upon:

• Nervous system
• Digestive system
• Female reproductive system
• Skin

Constituents:

• Volatile oil: alpha-pinene
• Sesquiterpene lactones: Parthenolide (notably anti-inflammatory/anti-cancer)
• Sesquiterpenes: camphor
• Flavonoids
• Tannins
• Melatonin (leaves)

Traditional Uses:

• Disocorides wrote that feverfew was good for “hot inflammation” aka FEVERS!
• Traditionally used an herbal remedy for women
  • Feverfew was used to stimulate and/or regulate menstruation and as a “strengthener of the womb” per Nicholas Culpeper in The English Physitian (1652). It was used in childbirth to help expel afterbirth. Feverfew has been used as an abortifacient.
• In TCM, feverfew has been/is used for “Liver Fire” headaches as it is said to clear wind heat, clear liver heat, calm shen and tonify the yin (Source)
• Indigenous uses and applications: stomach ache pains, colic, kidney pain, menstrual irregularities and symptoms, morning sickness, digestive support, as a cardiotonic, emmenagogue, and enema for worms (6)
• During WWI, wild feverfew was used to treat malaria when the supply of Cinchona bark (quinine) was disrupted  (Source)

Current Uses (& Studies/Research):

• Namely used as a migraine preventative and headache treatment, as well as vertigo, earaches and tinnitus.  
  • Clinical trials have shown feverfew extract to lessen the frequency and pain of migraines
  • Its use alongside white willow bark is particularly effective.
  • Long term supplementation of feverfew is recommended (6 months)
• Digestive support
  • As a carminative and bitter tonic, feverfew can be used for a weak appetite, stomachache, IBS, gas, bloating, nausea, and vomiting
• Fever & Inflammation reduction
  • Feverfew can be used to cool the body and relieve pain, indicating its use for treating influenza.
  • Active constituents in feverfew inhibit the release and synthesis of inflammatory substances, including prostaglandins and proinflammatory cytokines.
• Cancer Treatment
  • “Parthenolide, a naturally occurring sesquiterpene lactone derived from feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), exhibits exceptional anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a prominent candidate for further studies and drug development.” (5)
• Musculoskeletal Uses
  • Constituents like parthenolide helps relieve spasms in smooth muscle tissue, effectively relieving symptoms like muscle tension, cramping,  and muscle spasms as well as arthritic and rheumatic pain (7)
• As an antimicrobial/anti-protozoal
  • Feverfew has been used to treat things like worms, insect bites, and even as an air purifier and insecticide! It is often planted around the home for this purpose. Planting feverfew outside your home, especially near the door, is said to keep disease and negative or evil spirits away!
• For the skin:
  • Feverfew has been used for itchy, inflamed skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis

When to Reach for Herb & In What Form:

• At the onset of a fever or headache (particularly if associated with menstruation OR heat) whip up a batch of feverfew tea! (see recipe below!)

Dosage & Preparation:

• 1 tsp per cup up to 3xs daily
• 1-4 ml tincture 2-3xs daily
• 2-3 leaves daily as preventative
  • Herbalist Betzy Bancroft per Dr. Bill Cole: 600mg capsules at first sign of migraine, then repeat every hour up to 3 additional doses. (1)

Contraindications:

• Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding
• If supplementing regularly, The American Herbal Products Association recommends slowly reducing dosage over about 4 weeks before stopping to avoid “post-feverfew syndrome”
• Use caution when consuming raw leaves (mouth ulcers)
• Do not use with blood-thinning medication like warfarin

Elemental, Planetary & Dosha Discussion:

• As an (bitter) emmenagogue, feverfew falls under the element of Water (possible dual rulership with the Air element)
• With its actions on the female reproductive system, relaxant, diaphoretic and antispasmodic properties, and bright white flowers, feverfew is a distinctly Venusian plant!
• Feverfew is a vata – like plant with its cooling, drying energetics, bitter taste, and antispasmodic/carminitive actions.

Citations & Recommended Reading:

1. Feverfew Uses and Plant Monograph @ Learning Herbs, by Tasha Greenwood
2. Feverfew: Purported Benefits, Side Effects & More
3. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine by Andrew Chevllier
4. Diener HC, Pfaffenrath V, Schnitker J, Friede M, Henneicke-von Zepelin HH. Efficacy and safety of 6.25 mg t.i.d. feverfew CO2-extract (MIG-99) in migraine prevention–a randomized, double-blind, multicentre, placebo-controlled study. Cephalalgia. 2005 Nov;25(11):1031-41. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2982.2005.00950.x. PMID: 16232154.
5. Mathema VB, Koh YS, Thakuri BC, Sillanpää M. Parthenolide, a sesquiterpene lactone, expresses multiple anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities. Inflammation. 2012 Apr;35(2):560-5. doi: 10.1007/s10753-011-9346-0. PMID: 21603970.
6. Pareek A, Suthar M, Rathore GS, Bansal V. Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.): A systematic review. Pharmacogn Rev. 2011 Jan;5(9):103-10. doi: 10.4103/0973-7847.79105. PMID: 22096324; PMCID: PMC3210009.
7. Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)  (Mount Sinai)

Recipe of the Week: Headache Ease Infusion

2-3 leaves or fresh feverfew flower (1 tsp dried aerial portion)

1-2 teaspoons of rosemary, lemon balm, mint, lavender and/or chamomile (fresh or dried)

*If you don’t have all the herbs listed above, use what you have!

Add herbs to a tea bag, infuser or mug. Steep in 8-10 oz hot water for 15-20 minutes. Strain and enjoy!