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Botanical illustration of Feverfew
MedicinalSourced entry

Feverfew

Tanacetum parthenium

A daisy-like herb recognised in Europe as a traditional remedy to help prevent migraines. Research results are mixed. Don't take it during pregnancy.

What is Feverfew?

Plant family
Asteraceae, the daisy family
Parts used
The dried leaves and other above-ground parts, taken by mouth; some people chew the fresh leaves
Genus
Tanacetum
Species
parthenium

Also called

Bachelor's Buttons, Featherfew

Older scientific names

Chrysanthemum parthenium, Matricaria parthenium

Traditionally used for

  • Migraine prevention
  • Headache
  • Fever (traditional)

Traditionally described as

  • May reduce how often migraines happen (mixed evidence)

Health topics

Where Feverfew appears in symptom search, and why. Being listed doesn't mean it's a proven treatment.

  • Headache

    Recognised in Europe as a traditional remedy to help prevent migraines. Research results are mixed: some studies found fewer migraines, others didn't.

Traditions that use it

  • European Folk Medicine

    Recognised in Europe as a traditional remedy to help prevent migraines.

  • Western Herbalism

    Historically used for fevers, headaches, period problems and many other complaints.

Safety

Allergies

  • Don't use feverfew if you're allergic to it or to other plants in the daisy family (Asteraceae).[1]

  • People who are sensitive to ragweed may have an allergic reaction to feverfew.[2]

Side effects

  • No serious side effects have been reported. It can cause nausea, digestive problems and bloating, and chewing the fresh leaves can irritate the mouth.[2]

Pregnancy

  • Don't take feverfew while pregnant, because it may affect contractions of the womb.[2]

Before surgery

  • Feverfew may slow blood clotting. Stop taking it at least 2 weeks before a planned surgery.[2]

How much to use

  • For adults only. See a doctor if migraines come back after 2 months of use, or if they get worse while you're taking it.[1]

What does the research say?

Traditional use

These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.

  • Historically, people used feverfew for many complaints, including:

    • Fever
    • Breathing and digestive problems
    • Period problems and infertility
    • Kidney and liver disease
    • Ringing in the ears and earache
    • Anemia
    [2]

  • The European Medicines Agency recognises feverfew as a traditional herbal medicine to help prevent migraines in adults, once a doctor has ruled out serious conditions. This is based on at least 30 years of use, not on clinical trials, which weren't strong enough to draw firm conclusions. It usually needs to be taken for 2 months to have an effect.[1]

Research in people

  • A 2020 review looked at 7 studies of feverfew for migraine, with 634 people in total. The results were inconsistent. Some studies suggest it may make migraines less frequent and ease pain, nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and noise, but overall the evidence is mixed.[2]

In short

Don't use during pregnancy or if you're allergic to daisy-family plants; stop 2 weeks before surgery.

Sources

  1. [1] Tanaceti parthenii herba (feverfew herb): herbal medicinal product summary — European Medicines Agency (EMA), Committee on Herbal Medicinal ProductsGovernment health agency
  2. [2] Feverfew: Usefulness and Safety — National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH)Government health agency

This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.