What is Feverfew?
Latin Name
Tanacetum parthenium
Origin
Europe, Asia
Also Known As
Altamisa, Bachelor’s Buttons, Chrysanthème Matricaire, Chrysanthemum parthenium, Featerfoiul, Featherfew, Featherfoil, Flirtwort Midsummer Daisy
Feverfew, a small daisy-like flower with a pungent, bitter smell has for centuries been used as an Herbal Remedies to treat headaches and lots of other diseases. The plant originated in Europe but is now found throughout North America and Australia as well. Feverfew flowers blossom between July and October and grow in a dense, flat cluster. Feverfew products are made from dried feverfew leaves, though all parts of the plant, except its root, are considered to have medicinal properties.
Though feverfew can be used to treat various diseases, it is perhaps best known for its ability to help migraine sufferers lessen their pain. Numerous research studies have shown the plant to be quite effective in reducing migraine pain among individuals who take a controlled amount of feverfew daily. There was a time when the entire plant was used medicinally, now only the leaves of the Feverfew are used. It is best to harvest the Herbs before the plant flowers. Pick the leaves and also dry them or freeze them. The Feverfew leaves will have a strong, bitter and aromatic smell. This Herbal Plant is very easy to take care of; so growing it in your home is not a big problem since it doesn’t require too much of your attention.
Benefits of Feverfew Herb
The health benefits of Feverfew Herb include are:
- Anti-inflammatory properties of feverfew may help relieve pain.
- Feverfew helped lessen symptoms of anxiety and depression.
- Feverfew may be helpful in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
- Feverfew can help fight the inflammation linked with rheumatoid arthritis.
- It may help decrease damaged skin cells and inflammation.
- It as well naturally protects the skin from UV rays.
- It can help prevent blood clots.
- Feverfew reduced skin redness caused by an irritant.
- Feverfew reduced redness caused by UVB radiation.
- Feverfew leaves can also be used to make tea, tinctures, infusions, compresses and poultices.
- Feverfew flower extract reduced acute, inflammatory, joint and neuropathic pain in rodents.
- Feverfew extracts reduced anxiety and depression in mice.
- Feverfew extract blocked histamine release from allergy-causing mast cells.
- Feverfew ethanolic extract inhibited the growth of all three kinds of cancer cells.
- It lessen the risk of death from heart attack or stroke
- It can as well help in treating premenstrual and menstrual headaches.
- It stops blood vessel muscles from contracting.
- It may moreover reduce dizziness, tinnitus, and painful or sluggish menstruation.
- Feverfew has been traditionally used to relieve arthritis.
- It can help to regulate a cycle, helping with deficiency and scanty periods.
- Feverfew can reduce platelet activity and prevent blood from clotting.
- This is very important for those who suffer from chronic stress.
- It can also be used to assist reduce menstrual pain and spasms.
- Feverfew has been used to prevent pain throughout the body.
- Feverfew is also used to lower blood pressure and lessen stomach irritation.
Precautions:
Pregnant women are recommended to stay away from any decoction of Feverfew completely as it might lead to uterine contraction, resulting in miscarriage. Lactating mothers and children below two years of age should not take Feverfew herb. Read more about other herbs visit Natural Health News.
