Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) Mini Monograph
Family: Asteraceae
Other names: Featherfew, Featherfoil, Flirtwort, Bachelor’s Buttons (Grieves 1992 p. 309) and Parthenium (Setty & Sigal 2005).
Ancient Greeks referred to Feverfew as parthenium because it was said to have saved the life of a construction worker who fell from the Parthenon (Setty & Sigal 2005).
Part used: Flowering tops and/or leaves (Fisher 2009 p. 53, Pareek et al. 2011 p. 108), Leaf (Bone 2007 p. 34, Hoffman 1990 p. 200, Braun & Cohen 2015 p. 316).
Energetics: Cooling
Taste: Bitter and pungent.
Actions: Anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, anti-allergic, emmenagogue (stimulates menstrual flow) (Bone, 2007 p. 34), vasodilatory, digestive bitter, uterine stimulant (Hoffman 1990 p. 200), antipyretic (Pareek et al. 2011 p. 108) and hepatoprotective (Braun & Cohen 2015 p. 318).
Research shows that feverfew inhibits prostaglandin synthesis (Pareek et al. 2011 p. 105).
“The regular use of it either fresh or as a tablet or a tea will often clear the migraines after a month or so of treatment. If you have migraine, then plant Feverfew in your garden!”
– David Hoffman (Hoffman 1990 p. 73).
Constituents: Sesquiterpene lactones (parthenolide), essential oil (Bone, 2007 p. 35), flavonoids (Pareek et al. 2011 p. 108) – kaemfoerol (tanetin), quercetin, apigenin, luteolin, santin and centaureidin (Fisher 2009 p. 53), volatile oils – pinene, camphor, limonene, camphene, y-terpinene, linalool (Fisher 2009 p. 53), polyacetylenes and small amounts of melatonin (Fisher 2009 p. 53).
Nutritional Constituents: Vitamins - A, C, B1, B2, niacin. Minerals – iron, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, chromium and selenium (Fisher 2009 p. 53).
Quality/Adulteration Issues: The levels of parthenolide in commercial feverfew products varies significantly between 0.01% - 1.7% (Braun & Cohen 2015 p. 315).
“Feverfew dried and made into pouder, and two drams of it taken with hony or sweet wine, purgeth by siege melancholy and flegme; wherefore it is very good for them that are giddie in the head, or which have the turning called vertigo, that is a swimming and turning in the head” – John Gerard (Gerard 1998 p. 150-151)
Cautions: Contraindicated during pregnancy as it may stimulate the womb (Hoffman 1990 p. 200, Pareek et al. 2011 p. 108). In some, fresh leaves may result in mouth ulcers (Hoffman 1990 p. 200, Fisher 2009 p. 55) and contact dermatitis (Fisher 2009 p. 55). Asteracea allergy (Braun & Cohen 2015 p. 322). Feverfew may inhibit platelet activity so avoid with anticoagulant medications (Pareek et al. 2011 p. 107-106, Braun & Cohen 2015 p. 321).
Ensure that you consult with a qualified naturopath to ensure that this is safe and appropriate for you.
References:
Bone, K. (2007). The Ultimate Herbal Compendium: A Desktop Guide for Herbal Prescribers. Queensland, Australia: Phytotherapy Press.
Braun, L. & Cohen, M. (2015). Herbs & Natural Supplements: An evidence-based guide (4rd ed. Vol 2.). NSW, Australia: Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier.
Fisher, C. (2009). Materia Medica of Western Herbs. New Zealand: Vitex Medica
Gerard, J. (1998). Gerard’s Herbal: John Gerard’s Historie of Plants. United Kingdom, Tiger Books International.
Grieves, M. (1992). A Modern Herbal. (3rd ed.). London, Great Britain: Tiger Books International.
Hoffman, D. (1990). Holistic Herbal: A safe and Practical Guide to Making and Using Herbal Remedies. Great Britain: Thorsons
Pareek, A. Suthar, M. Rathore, G.S. Bansal, Vi. (2011). Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.): A systematic review. 5(9), 103-110. Doi: 10.4103/0973-7847.79105. PDF retrieved Jan 2021 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3210009/pdf/PRev-5-103.pdf
Setty, A.R. Sigal, L.H (2005). Herbal medications commonly used in the practice of rheumatology: mechanism of action; efficacy, and side effects. Semin Arthritis, Rheum. 34.6 773-784. Doi: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2005.01.011. PDF retrieved Jan 2021 from