FEVERFEW

Latin Name: Tanacetum parthenium

Alternate Names: Headache, Featherfew, Febrifuge Plant, Wild Quinine

Family: ASTERACEAE

Parts Used: Flowers, leaves.

Properties: Antibacterial, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Antithrombotic, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Febrifuge, Nervine, Tonic.

Internal Uses: Arthritis, Colic, Dysmenorrhea, Fever, Flatulence, Headache, Migraine, Pain, Rheumatism, Vertigo

Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules.

People have eaten Feverfew leaves on bread and butter sandwiches on a daily basis to prevent migraines. Feverfew helps to inhibit blood platelet aggregation and the biosynthesis of prostaglandins that cause inflammation. It may take several weeks of use to get results from using this herb.

Topical Uses: Headache, Insect Repellent, Painful Menses, Vertigo

Topical Applications: Fresh flowers are rubbed on the skin as an insect repellant. Applied as a compress to the head for headaches and vertigo. Sitz bath for painful menses.

Energetics: Bitter, Warm, Dry.

Chemical Constituents: Sesquiterpenes (parthenolide), essential oil, camphor, pyrethirin, tannins.

Contraindications: In rare cases, one may experience irritation of the mouth and tongue, but taking it with food can minimize this possibility. Avoid during pregnancy or if on blood thinning medications, as it can affect the rate of blood clotting. If one is very allergic to ragweed, use under the supervision of a health professional.

Comments: The name Feverfew is from the latin word, febrifuga, meaning 'to lower fevers'. The genus name, Tanacetum, is derived from anthanasis, meaning 'immortal', as the flowers are long lasting

-- Phil in KS (cshomestead@planetkc.com), April 04, 2002