Feverfew
Encyclopedia
Feverfew is a traditional medicinal herb
which is found in many old gardens, and is also occasionally grown for ornament. The plant grows into a small bush up to around 46 cm (18.1 in) high, with citrus-scented leaves and is covered by flowers reminiscent of daisies. It spreads rapidly, and they will cover a wide area after a few years. It is also commonly seen in the literature by its synonyms, Chrysanthemum parthenium (L.) Bernh. and Pyrethrum parthenium (L.) Sm.
Feverfew was native to Eurasia; specifically the Balkan Peninsula, Anatolia
and the Caucasus
, but cultivation has spread it around the world and it is now also found in Europe
, the Mediterranean, North America
and Chile
.
s, arthritis
and digestive problems, although there is no scientific evidence supporting anything beyond a placebo effect
.
The active ingredients in feverfew include parthenolide
and tanetin. There has been some scientific interest in parthenolide, which has been shown to induce apoptosis
in some cancer cell lines in vitro
and potentially to target cancer stem cells. There are no published studies of parthenolide or feverfew in humans with cancer.
Long-term use of feverfew followed by abrupt discontinuation may induce a withdrawal syndrome
featuring rebound headaches
and muscle and joint pains. Feverfew can cause allergic reactions, including contact dermatitis
. Other side effects have included gastrointestinal upset such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and flatulence. When the herb is chewed or taken orally it can cause mouth ulcer
s and swelling and numbness of the mouth.
Feverfew should not be taken by pregnant women. It may interact with blood thinners
and increase the risk of bleeding, and may also interact with a variety of medications metabolized by the liver.
Herbalism
Herbalism is a traditional medicinal or folk medicine practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts. Herbalism is also known as botanical medicine, medical herbalism, herbal medicine, herbology, herblore, and phytotherapy...
which is found in many old gardens, and is also occasionally grown for ornament. The plant grows into a small bush up to around 46 cm (18.1 in) high, with citrus-scented leaves and is covered by flowers reminiscent of daisies. It spreads rapidly, and they will cover a wide area after a few years. It is also commonly seen in the literature by its synonyms, Chrysanthemum parthenium (L.) Bernh. and Pyrethrum parthenium (L.) Sm.
Feverfew was native to Eurasia; specifically the Balkan Peninsula, Anatolia
Anatolia
Anatolia is a geographic and historical term denoting the westernmost protrusion of Asia, comprising the majority of the Republic of Turkey...
and the Caucasus
Caucasus
The Caucasus, also Caucas or Caucasia , is a geopolitical region at the border of Europe and Asia, and situated between the Black and the Caspian sea...
, but cultivation has spread it around the world and it is now also found in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, the Mediterranean, North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
and Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
.
Uses
The word "feverfew" derives from the Latin febrifugia, meaning "fever reducer." The plant has been used as a herbal treatment to reduce fever and to treat headacheHeadache
A headache or cephalalgia is pain anywhere in the region of the head or neck. It can be a symptom of a number of different conditions of the head and neck. The brain tissue itself is not sensitive to pain because it lacks pain receptors. Rather, the pain is caused by disturbance of the...
s, arthritis
Arthritis
Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints....
and digestive problems, although there is no scientific evidence supporting anything beyond a placebo effect
Placebo effect
Placebo effect may refer to:* Placebo effect, the tendency of any medication or treatment, even an inert or ineffective one, to exhibit results simply because the recipient believes that it will work...
.
The active ingredients in feverfew include parthenolide
Parthenolide
Parthenolide is a sesquiterpene lactone of the germacranolide class which occurs naturally in the plant feverfew , after which it is named. It is found in highest concentration in the flowers and fruit....
and tanetin. There has been some scientific interest in parthenolide, which has been shown to induce apoptosis
Apoptosis
Apoptosis is the process of programmed cell death that may occur in multicellular organisms. Biochemical events lead to characteristic cell changes and death. These changes include blebbing, cell shrinkage, nuclear fragmentation, chromatin condensation, and chromosomal DNA fragmentation...
in some cancer cell lines in vitro
In vitro
In vitro refers to studies in experimental biology that are conducted using components of an organism that have been isolated from their usual biological context in order to permit a more detailed or more convenient analysis than can be done with whole organisms. Colloquially, these experiments...
and potentially to target cancer stem cells. There are no published studies of parthenolide or feverfew in humans with cancer.
Long-term use of feverfew followed by abrupt discontinuation may induce a withdrawal syndrome
Withdrawal syndrome
A withdrawal syndrome, also called a discontinuation syndrome, occurs when a person suddenly stops taking or reduces the dosage of some types of medications...
featuring rebound headaches
Rebound effect
The rebound effect, or rebound phenomenon, is the tendency of some medications, when discontinued suddenly, to cause a return of the symptoms it relieved, and that, to a degree stronger than they were before treatment first began...
and muscle and joint pains. Feverfew can cause allergic reactions, including contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a term for a skin reaction resulting from exposure to allergens or irritants . Phototoxic dermatitis occurs when the allergen or irritant is activated by sunlight....
. Other side effects have included gastrointestinal upset such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and flatulence. When the herb is chewed or taken orally it can cause mouth ulcer
Mouth ulcer
A mouth or oral ulcer is an open sore in the mouth, or rarely a break in the mucous membrane or the epithelium on the lips or surrounding the mouth. The types of mouth ulcers are diverse, with a multitude of associated causes including: physical abrasion, acidic fruit, infection, other medical...
s and swelling and numbness of the mouth.
Feverfew should not be taken by pregnant women. It may interact with blood thinners
Anticoagulant
An anticoagulant is a substance that prevents coagulation of blood. A group of pharmaceuticals called anticoagulants can be used in vivo as a medication for thrombotic disorders. Some anticoagulants are used in medical equipment, such as test tubes, blood transfusion bags, and renal dialysis...
and increase the risk of bleeding, and may also interact with a variety of medications metabolized by the liver.