# Plant Monograph: Feverfew
**Name of plant:**
Feverfew
**Catch phrase (Carmina Gadelica or traditional invocation if available):**
No specific Carmina Gadelica invocation is recorded for Feverfew. A traditional English herbal saying states: *"He that would be free from fever, let him wear feverfew about his neck."*
**Family:**
Asteraceae (Daisy Family)
**Genus and species:**
*Tanacetum parthenium* (L.) Sch.Bip.
**Other names:**
* Featherfew
* Bachelor's Buttons
* Altamisa
* Wild Chamomile
* Febrifuge Plant
* Midsummer Daisy
* Santa Maria Herb
* Gaelic: Fiabhras-lus ("fever herb," modern descriptive rendering)
**Brief introduction:**
Feverfew is a hardy perennial herb native to southeastern Europe and western Asia, now naturalized throughout Europe, North America, and many temperate regions. It bears small daisy-like flowers with white rays and yellow centers and produces a distinctive aromatic scent when crushed. Traditionally cultivated in monastery gardens and cottage herb gardens, Feverfew has long been associated with the treatment of fevers, headaches, inflammatory conditions, and women's health concerns.
**Traditional uses:**
* Reducing fevers
* Relieving headaches
* Easing toothache
* Supporting menstrual regularity
* Treating rheumatic pains
**Historical use:**
* Used extensively by Greek physicians including Dioscorides
* Cultivated in medieval monastery physic gardens
* Employed as a household remedy for "ague" and intermittent fevers
* Traditionally worn or carried as protection against illness
* Used in European folk medicine for headaches and dizziness
**Parts used and method of use:**
* Leaves
* Flowering aerial parts
Used as:
* Herbal tea (infusion)
* Fresh leaf consumption
* Tincture
* Encapsulated dried herb
* Poultice for external application
**Use in healing (modern herbal practice):**
* Prevention of migraine headaches
* Supportive treatment for inflammatory arthritis
* Reduction of headache frequency
* Mild digestive bitter and carminative
* Adjunct support for menstrual discomfort
**Pharmacology and biochemistry:**
* Parthenolide (sesquiterpene lactone)
* Flavonoids (including apigenin and luteolin derivatives)
* Volatile oils (camphor, borneol, and related terpenes)
Mechanisms:
* Inhibition of inflammatory mediators and prostaglandin synthesis
* Modulation of serotonin release from platelets
* Reduction of NF-kB mediated inflammatory signaling
**Overall profile:**
Feverfew exhibits anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet, vasomodulatory, and neuroprotective activities. Its best-studied application is the prevention of migraine headaches, where parthenolide and related compounds appear to influence inflammatory and vascular pathways associated with migraine development.
**Common dosage:**
* Dried herb capsules (standardized): 50–150 mg daily
* Dried leaf powder: 100–300 mg daily
* Tincture (1:5): 2–4 mL up to three times daily
* Infusion: 1–2 teaspoons dried herb per cup, 1–3 cups daily
**Safety factors (including side effects):**
* Fresh leaves may cause mouth ulceration and irritation
* Possible digestive upset in sensitive individuals
* Contraindicated during pregnancy due to potential uterine stimulation
* Allergic reactions may occur in individuals sensitive to Asteraceae plants
* Abrupt discontinuation after long-term use may occasionally result in rebound headaches or nervousness
**First aid / adverse reaction response:**
* Oral irritation or mouth ulcers: Discontinue fresh leaf use and rinse mouth with water
* Allergic rash: Stop use and monitor symptoms
* Severe allergic reaction: Seek immediate medical attention
* Significant gastrointestinal upset: Reduce dose or discontinue use
**Drug interactions:**
* May enhance effects of anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications
* Potential additive effects with anti-inflammatory drugs
* Theoretical interaction with migraine medications affecting serotonin pathways
* Caution advised when combining with prescription medications affecting blood clotting
**Horticultural requirements:**
* USDA / Canadian zone: 4–9
* Soil pH: 6.0–7.5
* Light requirements: Full sun to partial shade
* Moisture: Moderate, well-drained soil
**Other notes (growth habit, harvest timing, etc.):**
* Bushy perennial reaching 30–90 cm in height
* Flowers from early summer through late summer
* Harvest leaves and flowering tops just before or during flowering
* Thrives in gardens, roadsides, and disturbed soils
* Easily propagated by seed, division, or self-seeding
**Sampling of clinical reports / studies:**
* Multiple randomized controlled trials have evaluated Feverfew for migraine prevention, with mixed but generally supportive results
* Laboratory studies demonstrate significant anti-inflammatory activity of parthenolide
* Phytochemical analyses consistently identify sesquiterpene lactones as major active constituents
* Ethnobotanical records document widespread use throughout Europe and the Mediterranean region for fever and headache management
* Overall assessment of evidence: Moderate evidence supports migraine prophylaxis; evidence for arthritis and other inflammatory conditions remains promising but less conclusive.
Educational Use Only: The information presented on this page is provided for educational, historical, and informational purposes only. ArdNemeton na Tuatha and Bhùth Draoi do not provide medical advice. Always consult your physician and pharmacist before using any herb, mushroom, supplement, or botanical product for medicinal purposes. Traditional uses described herein do not constitute medical claims.