Botanical Index No. 410

Feverfew

tanacetum parthenium

Medicinal Actions

Cardioactive, Carminative, COX-2 Inhibitor, Cytotoxic, Deodorant, Depurative, Dermatitigenic, Digestive, Emmenagogue, Insecticide, Laxative, Parasiticide, Sedative, Stimulant, Stomachic, Tonic, Uterotonic, Colic, Allergenic, Analgesic, Antiaggregant, Antiallergenic, Antialzheimeran, Antiarthritic, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antihistaminic, Antiinflammatory, Antileukotriene, Antiprostaglandin, Antipyretic, Antirheumatic, Antisecretory, Antiseptic, Antiserotonin, Antispasmodic, Antitumor

Primary Conditions Treated

Bitter Insectifuge Resolvent SSRI Tranquilizer Vermifuge Addiction opium Allergy Alzheimer’s Amenorrhea Anemia Anorexia Arthrosis Asthma Bacteria Biliousness Bite Bruise Cancer Candida Childbirth Cluster Headache Cold Constipation Cough Cramp Depression Dermatosis Diarrhea Dizziness Dysmenorrhea Dyspepsia Dyspnea Earache Escherichia Fever Fungus Gas Gastrosis Headache Heart Hysteria Infection Inflammation Insomnia Lochia Menstruation Migraine Morphism Mycosis Nausea Nervousness Neurosis Pain Parasite Parturition Puerperium Rheumatism Salmonella Spasm Staphylococcus Stomachache Swelling Toothache Tinnitus Tumor Vertigo Vomiting Worm Wound Yeast Abortifacient Aperient Aperitif

General Dosage

600 µg parthenolide 1–3 ×/day; 250 µg parthenolide; 2–3 leaves chewed daily with or without food; 50 mg freeze-dried leaf daily with or without food; 0.25–0.5 tsp fresh leaf; 0.2–0.4 g dry leaf; 0.3 g dry leaf:2 ml alcohol/1 ml water; 4–8 ml liquid leaf extract; 50–200 mg dried shoots daily; 2 capsules 3 ×/day. DANGEROUS ERROR ->250 mg parthenolide/day [should have said 250 µg].

Safety & Contraindications

Class 2b. Oral feverfew may cause mouth ulcers in ca. 10% of patients. Should not be taken by pregnant women because the leaves have emmenagogue activity. No serious side effects have been noticed in those taking feverfew over years as a preventive. Side effects: ulcerations of the mouth, sore tongue, inflammation of the oral mucosa and tongue, swelling of the lips, unpleasant taste, loss of taste, urinary problems, headache, diarrhea, dry mouth, dusgeusia, gas, glossosis, hypersensitivity, nausea, stomatosis, and vomiting reported by those using feverfew. Cases of allergic contact dermatosis in humans have also been reported. Cases of contact dermatosis are rare. Mild tranquilizing and sedative effects have been reported. Chewing the leaves for extended periods may lead to abdominal pains and dyspepsia. Sesquiterpene lactones are aromatic compounds widely distributed in certain plant families, with highest concentrations generally found in leaves and flowers. Sheep and cattle poisonings due to SL- containing species have been reported. SLs are allergenic and may cause dermatosis. Because it is reputed to be abortifacient and to affect the menstrual cycle, its use in pregnancy and lactation is to be avoided. “Self-medication with feverfew should not be undertaken without first consulting a doctor”. “Should not be used by children under the age of two years”. Do not use with calcium channel blockers, ticlopadine, or coumadin.

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