Tanacetum parthenium (Feverfew)

Question 1

How do you recognise Feverfew?

Answer 1

• A perennial herbaceous plant
• Has divided alternate leaves & daisy/chamomile-like flowers.
• Native to Europe & Asia. Common in towns in UK.

Question 2

What are Feverfew ‘s main constituents?

Answer 2

Constituents:
* Sesquiterpene lactones – more than 30 types including parthenolide, santamarine & chrysanthemelids.
* Essential oil – including pinene camphor & limonene – mildly sedative & insectoidal.
* Flavonoids – quercetin, apigenin, luteolin & tanetin (the last of these inhibits prostaglandin synthesis - antiinflammatory).
* Tannins.
* Melatonin – a small amount, but it may contribute to anti-migraine effects.
* Research is focussed upon the effects of parthenolide, but probably all of the main constituents have anti-inflammatory & anti-migraine effects. Parthenolide induces some relaxation of arterial smooth muscle which also helps relieve migraine.

Question 3

What family is Feverfew?

Answer 3

Aromatic member of the Asteraceae.

Question 4

What is Feverfew good for?

Answer 4

Summary: Good for digestive infections/ a vermifuge, and also for migraines. Antiinflammatory and painkiller, so Bendle mainly uses for rheumatoid arthritis.

Actions
* Bitter.
* Carminative.
* Anti-inflammatory.
* Antispasmodic.
* Anti-rheumatic.
* Analgesic.
* Anti-pyretic.
* Anti-microbial.
* Emmenagogue.
* Vermifuge.

Applications:
* Digestive upset – nausea & vomiting.
* Migraine.
* Menstrual pain.
* Rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.
* “Cold pains in the head”.”

Question 5

What is Feverfew ‘s Latin name?

Answer 5

Tanacetum parthenium

Question 6

What parts of Feverfew do you use?

Answer 6

Parts used: leaves and flowers

Question 7

What safety issues might Feverfew have?

Answer 7

Safety: generally safe but avoid in pregnancy. Causes mouth ulceration in some people (possibly only fresh leaf). May possibly potentiate blood thinning medication. People have been known to experience rebound headaches and joint pain upon stopping taking the herb.

Question 8

What useful research does Feverfew have?

Answer 8

External links:
* Association for the Advancement of Restorative Medicine page on feverfew – a nice summary.
* EMA Assessment report on Tanacetum parthenium – rather encyclopaedic!”

Question 9

What remedies might you use Feverfew in?

Answer 9

• Dosage: Bendle gives 10 – 20ml/week of 1:3 tincture, lower if its just preventative
• Tincture works better than tea - but a fresh leaf or two per day sometimes taken to prevent migraine.
• Bendle mainly uses for RA. He also uses Vitex for migraine for women/ linked to mentrual cycle.