Feverfew is a yellow flowering plant that is related to the daisy. Feverfew is a plant native to southeastern Europe and it has now spread throughout Europe, North and South America, and Australia.1 2 Feverfew has been used in traditional medicine for centuries including by the Ancient Greeks for conditions ranging from toothaches to menstrual cramps. The name “feverfew” however, comes from its primary and historical use as a way to treat hot inflammations or fevers.1 2 While most feverfew products today are made from the dried feverfew leaves, all parts of the plant (except the roots) are used in producing herbal medicines.1
The most well-known feverfew benefits are its effective pain-relieving abilities. Feverfew pain-relieving benefits come from its contents of parthenolides, a biochemical that reduces the widening of blood vessels such as what happens with migraines. For this reason, feverfew for migraines is a widely used natural treatment for this painful condition.2 Feverfew is also a natural anti-inflammatory with properties similar to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These anti-inflammatory health benefits are believed to potentially stop cancer cells from spreading as well.2 Additional feverfew benefits include the following:
Do not give feverfew products to children under the age of 2 years old. Additionally, possible feverfew side effects may include uterine contractions and therefore should not be taken by pregnant women. Feverfew side effects may also occur in women who are breastfeeding.2 Other feverfew side effects may include allergic reactions in those who are allergic to other daisy-related plants.2