Feverfew – sources, health benefits, nutrients, uses and constituents at NaturalPedia.com

Thursday, August 03, 2017 by Jhoanna Robinson

Feverfew, which has the scientific names of Pyrethrum parthenium, Tanacetum parthenium, and Chrysanthemum parthenium, is the go-to herb for treating headaches. It is also called featherfoil, featherfew, febrifuge plant, pyrethrum, altamisa, bachelor’s buttons, bride’s button, flirtwort, and wild chamomile.

Feverfew is endemic to central and southern Europe, but is also widely cultivated in the United States. It has a small, white, daisy-like flower with a yellow center. Feverfew’s flower is actually a species of chrysanthemum.

In Greek mythology, a plant called parthenium was utilized to resuscitate someone who had fallen from the Parthenon, which is the temple of the Greek goddess of wisdom, courage, and law and justice Pallas Athena located on the acropolis of Athens. This is where feverfew got one of its monikers from.

Feverfew has cancer-fighting abilities. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) attested that it is more effective in fighting cancer cells than expensive chemotherapy drugs; in fact, its parthenolide compound is so powerful that it has even been said to be more effective than anti-leukemia chemo drugs.

List of known nutrients

Apigenin
Luteolin
Melatonin
Parthenolide

Medicinal uses for feverfew

Feverfew has emmenagogue, vermifuge (expels parasitic worms), antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, aperient (relieves constipation) bitter tonic, carminative, purgative, stimulant, and antioxidant properties.

Feverfew is usually used to treat heaviness of the head, headaches, migraines, and tinnitus, which can be described as loud ringing in the ears. In fact, feverfew treats the cause of the headache and not simply the pain brought about by headaches, thereby reducing their frequency.

The British Medical Journal and the Harvard Medical School Health Letter attest to this, and feverfew is said to be even more effective than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories. Also, according to celebrity doctor Andrew Weil, MD, over-the-counter prescription painkillers that are used by around 25 million Americans annually contain a “rebound effect” after a prolonged period of use, which means that the drug is actually the one causing the headache. Feverfew was found to not have this effect.

People who have fevers also seek it for remedy, thus contributing to a general sense of well-being. For best results, use a 50 to 100 milligram dosage of feverfew to address your ailment.

Feverfew can be used to treat inflammation in the body such as arthritis and muscle tension and pain. This is because it inhibits the progression of two inflammatory substances – serotonin and prostaglandins – which in turn prohibits the successful action of histamine, which is responisble for inflammatory action, according to NeuropathyTreatmentGroup.com.

Also, the chemicals in feverfew inhibit the release of inflammatory substances by blood components called platelets, and proteins such as cytokines and neutrophiles, which interfere with the normal functioning of healthy cells.

Feverfew helps in controlling a number of body functions like blood pressure, temperature, and blood vessel tone.

Feverfew is good for the skin. It helps address dermatitis, eczema, and skin rashes that are caused by parasitic worms. According to DermNetNZ.org, using feverfew for skin afflictions is akin to using weak topical steroids.

Body systems supported by feverfew

Feverfew is good for the digestive system. It eases stomach irritations, colitis, constipation, and flatulence and improves digestive processes. It even acts as a natural appetizer.

Feverfew is good for the circulatory system. It takes care of kidney problems and makes sure that the kidney is working perfectly.

Feverfew is good for the female reproductive system. It can be used as a treatment for people who are suffering from menstrual cramps, which happen when the uterus lining creates too much prostaglandin.

Feverfew is good for the respiratory system. Its extracts have been said to alleviate the symptoms of asthma, and coughs.