Children with colic have been given the leaves to chew. A tea made of the dry, ground leaves is used to treat bad colds, indigestion and diarrhea. To relieve constipation, a suppository made of dry leaves, honey, and soap has been used in New Mexico. The dried flowers are used to treat indigestion and kill intestinal worms. When the wife of a Welsh doctor ended her 50-year-old history of migraine with a course of feverfew, a detailed scientific investigation of feverfew got underway and in clinical trials in Britain during the 1980s the herb was demonstrated to be an effective remedy for migraine. 20 headache patients eat fresh feverfew leaves daily for 3 months and stop using headache-related drugs during the last month. After they were given capsules of .37 grains of freeze-dried leaf every day, they experienced less severe headaches and fewer symptoms, including nausea and vomiting, than a placebo group. As an added benefit, their blood pressure went down.

Despite extensive research, the exact nature of its action is not yet understood, but the constituent parthenolide appears to inhibit the release of the hormone serotonin, which is thought to trigger migraine. The parthenolides in feverfew do not work by the same method as salicylates. While many herbalists feel the fresh leaves, or an extract made from them, are preferred, results have been seen with fresh, freeze-dried, and air-dried leaves, although boiling feverfew tea for 10 minutes instead of steeping it did reduce its activity in one study. As a preventative it should be taken in small quantities (3 leaves a day) regularly. The herb can help arthritic and rheumatic pain, especially in combination with other herbs. The herb has been used since Roman times to induce menstruation. It is given in difficult births to aid expulsion of the placenta. It has not been shown to cause uterine contractions, but because of its history in promoting menstruation pregnant women should probably not use it.

Properties:

bitter, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, tranquilizer, emmenogogue, carminative, purgative

Applications:

Feverfew is useful for cats as an alternative to aspirin, which is toxic to felines. Use a glycerin-based tincture or a cooled tea with a dose of 12-20 drops of the tincture or ½ tsp of a strong tea for each 20 pounds of the animal's weight, twice daily. Pets can be bathed in a cooled tea as a flea rinse.

Dosage: For prevention of migraines take a 100 mg capsule per day. At the start of a migraine take 5-10 drops of the tincture every 30 minutes at onset. Best for cold type migraines, involving tightening of the cerebral blood vessels and eased by applying a hot towel to the head.

Toxicity:

Problems such as mouth ulcers and soreness and occasional digestive disturbances have been reported in about 18% of those using feverfew on a regular basis.