Feverfew, used for centuries in European folk-medicine as a remedy for headaches, continues to be popular in Europe and Great Britain as a preventative treatment for migraines. The mechanism of action is unclear but may be related to a compound called parthenolide, which has been shown to block serotonin release from blood platelets. Whereas some studies of feverfew extracts, with standardized concentrations of parthenolide, failed to show benefit while others done with less-processed, whole-leaf preparations of feverfew did, suggests that there may be other compounds in feverfew that may also be effective against migraines.

Feverfew whole-leaf preparations
In a 16 week trial of 59 patients, whole leaf feverfew reduced migraine headache frequency by 24% and provided significant relief of nausea and vomiting during the headaches. A subsequent study showed that feverfew decreased the severity of migraine headaches.

Feverfew alcohol-based extract preparations
Results with alcohol-extracted feverfew preparations show mixed results, suggesting that this method of preparation may degrade its effectiveness.

Feverfew carbon dioxide extract preparation
A carbon dioxide method of extraction that produces highly stable parthenolide (MIG-99), has shown promise reducing migraine headache attacks in a 4 month study (headaches reduced from 4.8 to 2.9 per month with MIG-99 vs 3.5 attacks with placebo). In this study an oral dose of 6.25 mg of MIG-99 feverfew three times a day, showed effectiveness by the first month of use, reached maximal effectiveness by the second month and did not show decline at the end of the 4 month study.

Safety and Side Effects

• Mouth sores have been reported when chewing the actual feverfew leaf, but not with the usual encapsulated, feverfew leaf, powdered form.
• May cause allergic rashes and sensitivity to sunlight.
• Feverfew may inhibit platelet function and increase the risk of bleeding. Its use is not recommended with anticoagulants such as Coumadin, Lovenox, or Heparin; anti-platelet medications such as aspirin or Plavix; or NSAIDs such as Motrin, Advil, Naprosyn, or Aleve.
• Long-term users who stop treatment may experience feverfew withdrawal symptoms, including rebound headaches, anxiety, joint pain, insomnia, and muscle aches.
• Not recommended during pregnancy and breast feeding.
• Not recommend for use in children.

Consult your physician before using any herbal supplement.