Plant Study
Feverfew
Family Name (English):
Aster or Composite
Latin Name: Tanacetum parthenium, Chrysanthemum parthenum
Common Names: Feverfew and Featherfew
Class: Dicot
Also known as: Altamisa, Bachelor’s Buttons, Pyrethrum parthenium (Sm.), Featherfoil, Flirtwort Midsummer Daisy, Santa Maria, Tanaceti parthenii.
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Body System Affiliations:
Circulatory System, Digestive System, Respiratory System, Nervous System, Skin.
Other body affiliations:
Renewed sense of well-being, dizziness, tinnitus (2:on-line), painful or sluggish menstruation
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Botanical Description:
Habit: Herbaceous
Arrangement: Alternate
Leaves: Downy and delicate with short hairs or nearly smooth. Yellow/green in
Color and is 4.5 inches long and 2 inches abroad. Bipinnatifid (feather-like
pattern) with serrated margins. Leaf stalk is flattened above and convex beneath.
Flowers: Numerous small daisy-like heads of yellow flowers with outer white
petals. The central florets are arranged on a nearly flat receptacle and in a dense
flat-topped cluster.
Stalk: Finely furrowed and hairy. Stands 9 inches to 2 Feet high and upright.
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Ecology:
Habitat: Plant prefers manure-rich soil, however, is hearty enough to grow in
sandy sidewalk cracks.
Range: Grows widespread throughout Europe, North America, and Australia.
Native Where: Southeastern Europe and Southwestern Europe (according to two
different sources)
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Propagation: Planting may be done in autumn but is best done by the end of April. Any
ordinary soil is suitable, however, well drained, manure-enriched soil is best.
3 methods
-Seed: Sow in February or March, thinning out to 2 to 3 inches between plants.
Plant in permanent quarters near early June. Allow 1ft or more between plants
and 2ft between rows.
-Division: Lift plants in March or when roots are in active condition.
-Cutting: Make cuts from young shoots that start from the base of the plant. Starts
should be taken with a heel of the old plant attached (this will assist in their
rooting) May be inserted anytime from October thru May. Keep cuttings in shade
while they are rooting. (1:on-line)
Technique: When using division technique, use sharp spade to divide into 3 or 5
fairly large pieces.
Timing: Usually collected when plant is in bloom. Cut leaves and flowers as
required.
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Harvest:
Plant Part: Leaves
Season of Harvest: Summer thru mid-fall
Method of Harvest: Cut as needed
Plant Part: Flowers
Season of Harvest: Summer thru mid-fall
Method of Harvest: Cut as needed. May be dried face down on a flat surface
and used in potpourri.
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Western Uses/ Relationships:
Medicine:
Part Used: Herb (including leaves and flowers)
Medicinal Actions: Anti-inflammatory, analgesic
Indications: Headaches, migraines and arthritis.
Constituents: Inhibits release of serotonin and prostaglandins (two inflammatory
substances) believed to contribute to onset of migraines. Herb controls
inflammation that constricts blood vessels in head, preventing spasms contributing to headaches. (2:on-line) Taken orally can reduce frequency of migraine headaches and reduces symptoms of pain, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and noise. (5:509) Anti-inflammatory properties also used for treatment of arthritis. (3:on-line) Rich in sesquiterpene lactones, specifically parthenolide. Others include essential oils, flavonoid glycosides, pinene derivatives and costic acid. (2:on-line) Chrysanthenyl acetate, the essential oil, is suggested to by the active component bringing analgesic effects of herb. (5:509)
Applications: Eat fresh leaves, cold tea, capsule, extract, and tincture.
Preparation: Pick off fresh leaves daily. Leaves and flowers can be dried and
steeped in boiling water then cooled.
Pharmacy: Eat 2-3 fresh leaves daily (5:510), drink cold tea (2:on-line), ingest 70
to 114 mg capsule daily (3:on-line), take standardized feverfew extract, 250 mcg
2 times daily (3:on-line), or 60 to 120 drops 2 times a day of 1:5 tincture (3:online).
Cautions: Pregnant and lactating women should not use herb. Some people have
developed mouth ulcers or experienced loss of taste from eating fresh leaves.
Should not be taken by children under two. Take with care under supervision of
knowledgeable practitioner in the field of botanical medicine.
Side effects may include abdominal pain, indigestion, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea,
and vomiting. Feverfew may cause an allergic reaction in individuals sensitive to
the Aster/Composite family. (5:509)
Part Used: Herb (including leaves and flowers)
Medicinal Actions: Aperients (laxative), Emmenagogue (expels menstrual discharge) (1:on-line)
Indications: Constipation
Constituents: Specifics not found
Application: Tea
Preparation: Cold infusion made from 1 oz. of herb to a pint of boiling water. Allow to cool.
Pharmacy: Take frequently in doses of ½ teacupful.
Cautions: Pregnant and lactating women should not use herb. Some people have developed mouth ulcers or experienced loss of taste from eating fresh leaves. Should not be taken by children under two. Take with care under supervision of knowledgeable practitioner in the field of botanical medicine.
Side effects may include abdominal pain, indigestion, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea, and vomiting. Feverfew may cause an allergic reaction in individuals sensitive to the Aster/Composite family. (5:509)
Part Used: Herb (including leaves and flowers)
Medicinal Actions: Cough suppressant, eases wheezing, and difficulty breathing. (1:on-line)
Indications: Asthma
Applications: Decoction, oil rub
Preparation: Bruise and heat herb in a decoction with sugar or honey. Also fry with a little wine and oil.
Pharmacy: Apply warm external application for wind and colic. (1:on-line)
Cautions: Pregnant and lactating women should not use herb. Some people have developed mouth ulcers or experienced loss of taste from eating fresh leaves. Should not be taken by children under two. Take with care under supervision of knowledgeable practitioner in the field of botanical medicine.
Side effects may include abdominal pain, indigestion, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea, and vomiting. Feverfew may cause an allergic reaction in individuals sensitive to the Aster/Composite family. (5:509)
Part Used: Herb (including leaves, stalks, and flowers)
Medicinal Actions: Anti-inflammatory
Indications: Pain and swelling associated with insect bites.
Preparation: Make tincture with whole herb except roots. Mix 2 tsp. of tincture with ½ pint of cold water then apply to affected skin. (1:on-line)
Cautions: Pregnant and lactating women should not use herb. Some people have developed mouth ulcers or experienced loss of taste from eating fresh leaves. Should not be taken by children under two. Take with care under supervision of knowledgeable practitioner in the field of botanical medicine.
Side effects may include abdominal pain, indigestion, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea, and vomiting. Feverfew may cause an allergic reaction in individuals sensitive to the Aster/Composite family. (5:509)
Part Used: Flowers
Medicinal Actions: Relieves pain and nervousness (1:on-line)
Indications: Anxiety
Preparation: Infuse flowers with boiling water then cool.
Pharmacy: Drink small amounts frequently.
Cautions: Pregnant and lactating women should not use herb. Some people have developed mouth ulcers or experienced loss of taste from eating fresh leaves. Should not be taken by children under two. Take with care under supervision of knowledgeable practitioner in the field of botanical medicine.
Side effects may include abdominal pain, indigestion, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea, and vomiting. Feverfew may cause an allergic reaction in individuals sensitive to the Aster/Composite family. (5:509)
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Other Interesting Info:
-Ranked 19th among herbal supplements sold in retail outlets in U.S.
-Pyrethrum is derived from the Greek pur (fire), in allusion to the hot taste of the
root. (1:on-line)
Cautions: Pregnant and lactating women should not use herb. Some people have developed mouth ulcers or experienced loss of taste from eating fresh leaves. Should not be taken by children under two. Take with care under supervision of knowledgeable practitioner in the field of botanical medicine.
Side effects may include abdominal pain, indigestion, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea, and vomiting. Feverfew may cause an allergic reaction in individuals sensitive to the Aster/Composite family. (5:509)
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Brooke Orth - Arts, Environment and the Child; Walking the Wheel of the Seasons – winter – 2006.
Sources
- Grieve, M. A Modern Herbal. 2005. Online at http://www.botanical.com. Visited 02/15/2006
- Author Unknown. Herbal Information Center. Online at http://www.kcweb.com/herb/feverfew.htm. Visited 02/15/2006
- Author Unknown. University of Maryland Medical Center. 2004. Online at http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/Print/Feverfewch.html. Visited 02/15/2006
- Author Unknown. Garden guides. Copyright 2002. Online at http://www.gardenguides.com. Visited 02/15/2006
- Jellin JM, Gregory PJ, Batz F, Hitchens, K, et al. Pharmacist’s Letter/ Prescriber’s Letter Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. 7th ed. Stockton, CA: Therapeutic Research Faculty, 2005; Pg 508-510.
Wink, Michael, Ben-Erik Van Wyk. Medicinal Plants of the World. Timber Press, Inc. 2004; Pg. 98.
