Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) Be aware that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and dietary supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products containing or claiming to contain feverfew. Decisions to use herbs or supplements should be carefully considered. Individuals using prescription drugs should discuss taking herbs or supplements with a pharmacist or health care professional before starting.
Scientists have studied feverfew for the following health problems: Migraine headache prevention | Several studies suggest that feverfew may prevent migraine headaches. Treatment with feverfew has been associated with fewer headaches, milder headaches and less nausea and vomiting. However, the length of time that each headache lasts does not appear to be affected by feverfew. More high-quality research in humans is needed before a strong recommendation can be made. Comparisons with other drugs used for migraine headache and clearer dosing guidelines are necessary. | Arthritis | Although feverfew has been proposed as a treatment for arthritis, it is not clear whether feverfew provides any anti-inflammatory or pain-reducing effects. |
Feverfew has been suggested for many other uses, based on tradition or on scientific theories. However, these uses have not been thoroughly studied in humans, and there is limited scientific evidence about safety or effectiveness. Some of these suggested uses are for conditions that are potentially very serious and even life-threatening. You should consult a health care professional before taking feverfew for any unproven use. Anemia
Asthma
Breast cancer
Cancer
Central nervous system diseases
Digestion
Dizziness
Fever
Heart muscle injury
Induced abortion
Insect bites/insect repellant | Leukemia
Menstrual cramps
Neurological complications of malaria
Pancreatic cancer
Painful joints
Promotion of menstruation
Relaxant/sedative
Ringing in the ears
Skin cancer
Skin rash
Vasodilator |
Allergies People should avoid feverfew if they have a known allergy to feverfew, chrysanthemums, daisies, marigolds or any member of the Compositae plant family, including ragweed. Signs of allergy may include rash, itching or shortness of breath. Side Effects Mouth inflammation or ulcers, including swelling of the lips, tongue irritation, bleeding of the gums, and loss of taste, have been reported When stopped suddenly after being used for long periods of time, feverfew may cause rebound headaches, anxiety, sleep disturbances, muscle stiffness or pain. Some people may experience more rapid or pounding heart rates. Skin irritation or eczema may occur in those with feverfew allergies. Photosensitivity (sensitivity to sunlight or sunlamps) has been reported with other herbs in the Compositae plant family and may be possible with feverfew as well. Less common side effects may include stomach upset, such as indigestion, nausea, gas, constipation, diarrhea, bloating or heartburn. Pregnancy And Breast-Feeding Feverfew cannot be recommended during pregnancy and breast-feeding because of the risk of birth defects or spontaneous abortion. Feverfew may stimulate menstruation, which could lead to spontaneous abortion in pregnant women.
Interactions with drugs, supplements and other herbs have not been thoroughly studied. The interactions listed below have been reported in scientific publications. If you are taking prescription drugs, speak with a health care professional or pharmacist before using herbs or dietary supplements. Interactions With Drugs In theory, feverfew may increase the risk of bleeding when used with anticoagulants (blood thinners) or antiplatelet drugs. Examples include warfarin (Coumadin), heparin and clopidogrel (Plavix). Feverfew may also increase the risk of bleeding when used with anti-inflammatory pain relievers, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve, Anaprox). However, it is possible that feverfew may increase the effectiveness of these pain relievers. Based on the results from some animal studies, it has been suggested that feverfew could worsen symptoms of depression or reduce the effectiveness of antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac). Feverfew should be used with caution in individuals with a history of depression or other psychiatric illnesses. Sun sensitivity caused by certain drugs may be increased by feverfew. Feverfew may alter the way that certain drugs are broken down by the liver. Interactions With Herbs And Dietary Supplements In theory, feverfew may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with products such as Ginkgo biloba and garlic ( Allium sativum). Sun sensitivity caused by certain herbs and supplements may be increased by feverfew. Feverfew may alter the way that certain herbs and supplements are broken down by the liver.
The doses listed below are based on scientific research, publications or traditional use. Because most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly studied or monitored, safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients even within the same brand. Combination products often contain small amounts of each ingredient and may not be effective. Appropriate dosing should be discussed with a health care professional before starting therapy; always read the recommendations on a product's label. The dosing for unproven uses should be approached cautiously, because scientific information is limited in these areas. In the United Kingdom and Canada, feverfew products are standardized to contain at least 0.2 percent parthenolide. In France, products must contain at least 0.1 percent parthenolide. There are no standard or well-studied doses of feverfew, and many different doses are used traditionally. Adults (Aged 18 Or Older) Feverfew leaves: Doses that have been used include 50 to 114 milligrams of feverfew powdered leaves daily, two to three dried leaves (approximately 60 milligrams), 50 to 250 milligrams of dried leaves (0.2 percent parthenolide) daily or 0.5 milligrams of parthenolide daily. Doses that have been used in the treatment of arthritis include 76 milligrams of dried feverfew leaves (two to three micromoles of parthenolide) in capsules or 70 to 86 dried chopped feverfew leaves taken once daily by mouth. Children (Younger Than 18) There are not enough scientific data to recommend feverfew for use in children, and feverfew is not recommended because of potential side effects.
Feverfew has been suggested as a treatment for many conditions. Some research supports the use of feverfew to prevent migraine headaches. There is not enough scientific evidence to support the use of feverfew for any other medical condition. Feverfew is generally well tolerated, but it should be avoided in pregnant or breast-feeding women and in children. If you have a history of depression, are taking antidepressants, are prone to bleeding or are taking products that may increase the risk of bleeding, speak with a health care professional or pharmacist before taking feverfew. Consult a health care professional immediately if you have any side effects. The information in this monograph was prepared by the professional staff at Natural Standard, based on thorough systematic review of scientific evidence. The material was reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School with final editing approved by Natural Standard.
- Natural Standard: An organization that produces scientifically based reviews of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) topics
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM): A division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services dedicated to research
Selected Scientific Studies: Feverfew Natural Standard reviewed more than 185 articles to prepare the professional monograph from which this version was created. Some of the more recent studies are listed below: - Curry EA 3rd, Murry DJ, Yoder C, et al. Phase I dose escalation trial of feverfew with standardized doses of parthenolide in patients with cancer. Invest New Drugs 2004;Aug, 22(3):299-305.
- Ernst E, Pittler MH. The efficacy and safety of feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.): an update of a systematic review. Public Health Nutr 2000;3(4A):509-514.
- Maizels M, Blumenfeld A, Burchette R. A combination of riboflavin, magnesium, and feverfew for migraine prophylaxis: a randomized trial. Headache 2004;Oct, 44(9):885-890.
- Vogler BK, Pittler MH, Ernst E. Feverfew as a preventive treatment for migraine: a systematic review. Cephalalgia 1998;18(10):704-708.
- Won YK, Ong CN, Shi X, Shen HM. Chemopreventive activity of parthenolide against UVB-induced skin cancer and its mechanisms. Carcinogenesis 2004;Aug, 25(8):1449-1458. Epub 2004;Mar 19.
Last updated June 29, 2005
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