Since
the time of Plutarch, feverfew has been used in the Western world as a
medicinal herb. One source states its name comes from the Latin
febrifugia which means "driver out of fevers" and honors the
traditional use of the plant for treating fevers. Its use
against fever has been well documented. Feverfew originated in
the mountain scrub and rocky soil of the Balkan peninsula. It
has since become native to central and southern Europe and naturalized
in most parts of the temperate zone, including North America
The
early Romans believed in its powers and used a decoction of the
flowers as a cosmetic wash. In ancient Greece, Dioscorides often
used it to help in the delivery of the placenta if contractions were
not regular. It was thought that drinking the tea would also
strengthen the womb. However, feverfew should not be used during
pregnancy, for it may trigger a miscarriage.
As
early as 1633, Gerard recommended it as a headache remedy. He
tells us that feverfew may be used both in drinks and bound on the
wrists as a virtue against the ague. The 1787 Dublin edition of
Culpepper’s famous herbal affirms it as traditional treatment for
headaches. Being well acquainted with its effectiveness,
Victorians grew this hardy perennial as a medicinal herb, sometimes
making a wreath of the leaves to wrap around the head of a headache
sufferer. A decoction of the flowers, mixed with wine and
nutmeg, and taken often throughout the day, was used by women for
nervous conditions.
A
popular painkiller in the eighteenth century, a decoction of the
leaves was drunk as a tea for hysteria. It was thought that
drinking the tea would also strengthen the womb. This herb lost
its standing for a time but recent research has underscored its
effectiveness as an anti-inflammatory and migraine headache cure.
John Parkinson claimed it aided in recovery from opium overdose.
Even American Cotton Mather recommended it for toothache. In
South America, where it is naturalized, it has been effective for
colic, stomachache, morning sickness, and kidney pains.
Long
recognized for its ability to aid “melancholy and aches and pains in
the head,” in Wales, this herb is recognized as a relief of migraine
and arthritis. Researchers speculate that substances in the
plant appear to smooth muscle cells that trigger migraine muscle
spasms. “If you take feverfew leaves for migraine headache
relief, it should be just three or four of the little leaves each
day,” suggests Varro Tyler, PH.D. of Purdue University.
In
recent years, modern science has had this herb under the microscope.
Research studies have proven the effectiveness of its traditional
heritage. Bypassing the normal process of animal studies,
researchers sought volunteers who were already using feverfew for
self-treatment of migraines. One study examined the effects of
withdrawal of the herb by self-users. Another study addressed
the herb’s value in preventing the symptoms of migraines. Based
on the findings of these various studies, feverfew is now being
promoted as a welcome relief for migraine sufferers.
Although it has been readily available in Europe for some time, only
recently has it been sold in our health food stores as an effective
headache remedy. Taken daily over an extended time builds
resistance to migraine headaches. Preliminary studies show that
both the dry and the fresh form have a strong effect. Because of
its bitter taste, you might want to mix it with other foods.
