Medicinal uses and potential adverse reactions of Feverfew
Feverfew: A Potential Aid for Migraines, but More Research Needed
Feverfew, a plant native to the Balkans and parts of western Asia, is a member of the Asteraceae family and shares a similar appearance to daisies, with white petals and yellow centers. Traditionally, feverfew has been used in medicine to relieve various ailments, including pain, inflammation, fever, and headaches.
One compound found in feverfew, parthenolide, is believed to have potential anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects. This compound, along with other compounds present in feverfew, may also possess antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and UV protective properties.
Recent studies have shown some promise for feverfew in the prevention of migraines. A Cochrane review analyzing six clinical trials with 561 patients found that while earlier studies showed mixed outcomes, the most recent and larger study demonstrated a statistically significant reduction of about 0.6 migraine attacks per month with feverfew compared to placebo. This suggests some preventive benefit against migraines, though the effect size is moderate.
Feverfew is commonly available in various forms, such as capsules, tinctures, teas, and other preparations. It is important to note that while feverfew may be beneficial in the treatment of migraine, the results from studies provide mixed results, and more human studies are necessary to confirm its efficacy.
However, when it comes to other conditions such as menstrual pain, asthma, and arthritis, the clinical evidence is more limited and less supportive. Claims about feverfew's efficacy in these areas remain mostly anecdotal or based on in vitro or theoretical mechanisms rather than solid clinical trial data.
It's crucial to remember that feverfew may interact with certain medications, including anticoagulant medications or blood thinners and cytochrome P450 3A4 substrates present in chemotherapy drugs and antidepressants such as citalopram, diazepam, sertraline, zolpidem, and others. Therefore, it is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before adding feverfew to one's health routine.
In summary, feverfew has some evidence supporting its pharmacological use for migraine prevention, particularly from recent controlled studies and combination therapies, but evidence for other conditions is sparse and inconclusive. It remains a complementary option rather than a first-line treatment.
| Aspect | Summary of Clinical Evidence | |-------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | Migraine prevention | Modest, statistically significant reduction in attack frequency; mixed but promising results in combination therapy[1][3][5] | | Menstrual pain, asthma, arthritis | Limited to no robust clinical evidence; mostly traditional use and in vitro data[3][5] | | Mechanism | Anti-inflammatory effects via parthenolides and glycosides; inhibits platelet aggregation in vitro[3][5] |
