Aromatherapy Haven

The herb Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) has always been regarded as a medicinal herb. Its very name implies that it is a cure for fevers, and folk healers used it for this. Scientists have studied Feverfew, and, though it does not reduce fevers, it was determined to be an antispasmodic agent. It helps the body prevent the spasms in small blood vessels that are known to be an immediate cause of migraines. The chief active ingredient has been isolated, and might, someday, lead to a pure extract. Additional clinical studies have found that feverfew can stop vomiting and relieve nausea, while improving digestion. Other studies have reported:

- relief from asthma attacks
- promotion of restful sleep
- relief from the inflammation, and thus the pain, of arthritis.

In the 1980’s, British researchers tested feverfew on migraine sufferers and found that 7 out of 10 recipients reported either fewer or less painful migraines. Some people reported that feverfew aided with depression as well. The leaves of the plant are normally consumed. The most common side effect is mouth ulcers, and use should be discontinued if this occurs.

There are commercial tinctures of feverfew available, or it can be grown at home.

Feverfew is easily grown in the US and Europe, as it is related to the mint family. It grows as a tall (12-24″ or more) bushy plant, which displays a large number of small white flowers, reminiscent of small daisies. Once planted, it will propogate by self seeding and sending out runners. It emerges in the spring, and will continue to grow and bloom throughout the summer if flowers are pinched back.

To use medicinally, ingest 1 medium sized leaf each day. There are limited recipes for feverfew available. You may want to try putting it into a tossed salad, along with other fresh herbs. Another approach would be to chop up some leaves and spread them on top of marinara sauce. It could be made into pesto, using your favorite nuts.

In summary, the potential benefits of feverfew are many, and this important natural herbal remedy should not be ignored as a treatment for many common health problems. If more information about feverfew is required, you may want to try using your favourite search engine on this term. There will be a wealth of information available on the internet.