What is Feverfew?
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is a medicinal herb in the daisy family (Asteraceae) that has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. Native to the Balkan Peninsula, it now grows throughout Europe, North America, and Australia.
Active Compounds:
Parthenolide: The primary active compound (0.2-0.5% in leaves)
Sesquiterpene lactones: Group of bioactive compounds
Flavonoids: Antioxidant compounds
Volatile oils: Including camphor and other terpenes
The leaves are the primary medicinal part, though flowers also contain active compounds.
Primary Functions & Benefits
Primary Uses:
Migraine Prevention: Most well-researched application
Headache Relief: General tension and vascular headaches
Anti-inflammatory: Reduces inflammatory responses
Fever Reduction: Historical use (hence the name)
Menstrual Support: May help with menstrual-related symptoms
Research-Backed Benefits:
Reduces migraine frequency and severity (several clinical trials)
Decreases migraine-associated symptoms (nausea, light sensitivity)
May reduce inflammation markers
Potential arthritis symptom relief
May help with menstrual pain and regulation
Possible anti-platelet effects (blood thinning)
Traditional/Folk Uses:
Fever reduction
Digestive complaints
Insect repellent
Toothaches
Skin inflammation
Recommended Dosages
Standard Doses:
Fresh leaves: 2-3 fresh leaves daily
Dried leaf capsules: 50-150 mg daily (standardized to 0.2-0.7% parthenolide)
Extract: 100-300 mg daily
Tincture: 15-30 drops 2-3 times daily
Tea: 1 cup 1-2 times daily (though less effective due to bitter taste and parthenolide degradation)
For Migraine Prevention:
Typical dose: 50-150 mg daily of dried leaf extract
Duration: Minimum 4-6 weeks to see effects; often taken long-term
Maintenance: Continue for at least 3-4 months for full benefit
Important Notes:
Standardization to parthenolide content is important (0.2% minimum)
Fresh leaves contain higher levels but taste very bitter
Effects are cumulative, not immediate
Natural Sources & Forms
Availability:
Capsules/Tablets: Most common and convenient
Fresh leaves: Can be grown in gardens
Dried leaf: Bulk herb for tea
Tinctures/Extracts: Liquid concentrates
Sublingual tablets: Freeze-dried leaves
Growing Your Own:
Easy to grow perennial herb
Prefers full sun to partial shade
Hardy in zones 5-9
Harvest leaves before flowering for maximum potency
Supplementation Guidelines
Timing & Administration:
Best time: With meals to reduce stomach upset
Time of day: Morning or divided doses (morning and evening)
Consistency: Daily use required for prevention (not acute treatment)
Duration: Allow 4-6 weeks for effects to manifest
Starting Feverfew:
Begin with lower doses to assess tolerance
Gradually increase to therapeutic range
Take consistently for best results
Track migraine frequency to assess effectiveness
Synergistic Supplements
Take WITH Feverfew:
Magnesium: Complementary for migraine prevention (300-600 mg daily)
Riboflavin (B2): Enhances migraine prevention (400 mg daily)
Coenzyme Q10: Works synergistically for migraines (100-300 mg daily)
Butterbur: Another herb for migraines (use PA-free only)
Ginger: Complementary anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea effects
Beneficial Combinations:
The "Migraine Triple": Feverfew + Magnesium + Riboflavin
Anti-inflammatory stack: Feverfew + Turmeric + Omega-3s
Menstrual support: Feverfew + Vitex (chasteberry)
Interactions & What NOT to Take
Avoid Combining With:
Blood thinners (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel): Increased bleeding risk
NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen): May reduce feverfew effectiveness
Antiplatelet drugs: Additive blood-thinning effects
Medications That May Interact:
Migraine medications (triptans): Monitor for interactions
Liver-metabolized drugs: Feverfew may affect CYP450 enzymes
Chemotherapy drugs: May interfere with treatment
Herb-Herb Interactions:
Garlic, ginkgo, ginger: Increased bleeding risk when combined
Other anticoagulant herbs: Cumulative blood-thinning effects
Who Should Take Feverfew
Ideal Candidates:
Chronic migraine sufferers (2+ migraines per month)
People seeking natural migraine prevention
Those with contraindications to conventional migraine drugs
Individuals with tension headaches
People with inflammatory conditions (arthritis, joint pain)
Women with menstrual-related migraines or pain
Those looking to reduce NSAID dependency
Best Results Seen In:
People with classic migraines (with or without aura)
Those willing to commit to 3-4 months of consistent use
Individuals combining feverfew with lifestyle migraine management
Who Should AVOID or Use Caution
Contraindications:
Pregnant women: May stimulate uterine contractions
Breastfeeding mothers: Safety not established
Children under 2: Safety not established
People allergic to Asteraceae family: Ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies
Pre-surgical patients: Stop 2 weeks before surgery (bleeding risk)
People with bleeding disorders: Increased bleeding risk
Use Caution:
Those taking blood-thinning medications
People with scheduled medical procedures
Individuals with liver disease
Those taking multiple medications metabolized by liver
Deficiency Symptoms
Note: Feverfew is not an essential nutrient, so there are no deficiency symptoms. However, conditions that may benefit from feverfew include:
Signs You Might Benefit:
Frequent migraines (2+ per month)
Chronic headaches unresponsive to other treatments
Inflammatory conditions causing pain
Menstrual irregularities with pain
Family history of migraines
Side Effects & Adverse Reactions
Common Side Effects:
Mouth ulcers and oral irritation (especially from fresh leaves)
Digestive upset (nausea, bloating, gas)
Altered taste sensation
Mild stomach pain
Tongue swelling or numbness
Less Common:
Skin rash or contact dermatitis
Increased heart rate
Dizziness
Weight gain (rare)
Anxiety or nervousness (rare)
Post-Feverfew Syndrome:
When stopping after long-term use, some people experience:
Rebound headaches
Anxiety
Difficulty sleeping
Joint pain and stiffness
Nervousness
Prevention: Taper off gradually rather than stopping abruptly
Allergic Reactions:
Skin rashes
Itching
Difficulty breathing (rare but serious)
Swelling of face, lips, tongue
Toxicity & Overdose
Safety Profile:
Generally considered safe at recommended doses
Low toxicity in most studies
No established toxic dose in humans
Excessive Intake May Cause:
Severe digestive distress
Increased bleeding tendency
Allergic reactions
Potential liver stress (theoretical)
Long-term Safety:
Studies show safety up to 4 months of continuous use
Longer-term use appears safe but less data available
Periodic breaks may be advisable (consult practitioner)
Special Considerations
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding:
Avoid during pregnancy: May stimulate menstruation and uterine contractions
Avoid while breastfeeding: Passes into breast milk; effects unknown
Traditional use as abortifacient substance
Surgery:
Stop at least 2 weeks before scheduled surgery
May increase bleeding risk during and after procedures
Inform surgeon and anesthesiologist of use
Effectiveness Timeline:
Not effective for acute migraines: Must be taken preventatively
Initial effects: 4-6 weeks minimum
Full benefits: Often 3-4 months of consistent use
Individual variation: Some respond within weeks, others need months
Quality Considerations:
Choose standardized extracts (minimum 0.2% parthenolide)
Third-party testing important (heavy metals, contaminants)
Fresh leaves most potent but least palatable
Store dried feverfew away from light and moisture
Research Evidence
Strong Evidence For:
Migraine prevention (multiple clinical trials)
Reduction in migraine frequency
Moderate Evidence For:
Reducing migraine severity
Anti-inflammatory effects
Menstrual symptom relief
Limited/Mixed Evidence For:
Acute headache treatment
Arthritis symptom relief
Fever reduction
Mechanism of Action:
Inhibits serotonin release from platelets
Prevents blood vessel constriction in the brain
Reduces inflammatory prostaglandins
Inhibits platelet aggregation
Summary & Key Takeaways
Feverfew is a well-researched herb primarily used for migraine prevention. It requires consistent, long-term use (minimum 4-6 weeks, ideally 3-4 months) to be effective and works preventatively rather than as an acute treatment.
Bottom Line: Best for chronic migraine sufferers willing to commit to daily use for several months. Combine with magnesium and riboflavin for enhanced effects. Avoid during pregnancy, before surgery, and if taking blood thinners. Choose standardized extracts for consistent results and be patient this isn't a quick fix but can be highly effective for the right person.
Realistic Expectations: Studies show feverfew can reduce migraine frequency by 24-60% in responsive individuals, but not everyone responds. Give it a full 3-month trial before determining effectiveness.