Feverfew
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Summary of Feverfew
Primary information, health benefits, side effects, usage, and other important details
Feverfew, also known as medieval aspirin or wild chamomile, is an herb with anti-inflammatory properties.
Feverfew is most often used to prevent migraines. Feverfew’s effect increases in strength for the first 12 weeks of supplementation, at which point it can be taken indefinitely. Feverfew appears to be effective at reducing the severity and frequency of migraines when supplemented in this way. Limited evidence suggests feverfew supplementation may also reduce the length of a migraine and alleviate the increased sensory sensitivity that occurs during a migraine.
Traditionally, feverfew has been used to alleviate arthritis and inflammation. In vitro evidence suggests that feverfew is a very potent anti-inflammatory herb, but limited human evidence suggests supplementation has no effect on rheumatoid arthritis.
The active compound in feverfew is called parthenolide. It is responsible for feverfew’s anti-inflammatory effects, and it may also have a potent anti-cancer mechanism. Since no human studies have investigated feverfew in the context of cancer, more research is needed to confirm this effect.
Feverfew is safe to supplement, but topical application may result in an allergic reaction. If feverfew supplementation results in reddening or scaly skin, cease supplementation. Pregnant women should not supplement feverfew.
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The standard adult dose for feverfew supplementation is 100-300 mg of a feverfew supplement containing 0.2%-0.4% parthenolide, taken one to four times a day.
Children younger than two should not be given feverfew. The standard feverfew dose for children is based off of a standard adult weight of 150 lbs. For example, if a child weighs 50lbs, the dose is one-third of the adult dose.
Liquid and tincture feverfew supplements are sometimes used to alleviate arthritis. The suggested dose is 60 – 120 drops of 1:1 (fluid) supplement or a 1:5 (tincture) supplement, taken twice a day.
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Human Effect Matrix
The Human Effect Matrix looks at human studies (it excludes animal and in vitro studies) to tell you what effects feverfew has on your body, and how strong these effects are.
| Grade | Level of Evidence [show legend] |
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Robust research conducted with repeated double-blind clinical trials |
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Multiple studies where at least two are double-blind and placebo controlled |
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Single double-blind study or multiple cohort studies |
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Uncontrolled or observational studies only |
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Level of Evidence
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The amount of high quality evidence. The more
evidence, the more we can trust the results.
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Outcome |
Magnitude of effect
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The direction and size of the supplement's impact on
each outcome. Some supplements can have an increasing effect, others have a decreasing effect, and others have no effect.
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Consistency of research results
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Scientific research does not always agree. HIGH or
VERY HIGH means that most of the scientific research agrees.
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Notes |
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Strong
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Very High See all 5 studies |
Feverfew appears to be strongly effective in reducing migraines when the population in question are people with high frequency migraines possibly accompanied by auras. Feverfew is not as effective, although still somewhat effective, in persons with less frequent migraines.
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Notable
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- See study |
The reduction in erythema with topical parthenolide-depleted feverfew was greater than that of the active control, Ibuprofen.
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- | - See study |
No significant effect on C-Reactive Protein
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- | - See study |
No significant influence detected on immunity
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- | - See study |
No significant interaction between supplemental Feverfew and osteoarthritic symptoms
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- | - See study |
Preliminary evidence has failed to find an effect of Feverfew on reducing symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis
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Studies Excluded from Consideration
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Things to Note
Is a Form Of
Primary Function:
Also Known As
Tanacetum parthenium, Wild Chamomile, Featherfew, Chrysanthemum parthenium, Matricaria parthenium, Pyrenthrum parthenium, Leucanthemum parthenium, mutterroot, midsummer daisy, nosebleed, Medieval Aspirin, 18th century Aspirin
Caution Notice
Traditionally advised for pregnant women to not use Feverfew, would be prudent to adhere to this caution
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