Feverfew

Feverfew is a perennial plant between 30 and 80 cm tall and belongs to the composite family. The stems are grooved, branched in the upper part and bare or hairy, with broad, egg-shaped, pinnate leaves and white-yellow flowers. It flowers from June to August. The plant is characterized by a camomile-like aromatic smell, but tastes bitter. Feverfew contains essential oil, camphor, camphene, cymene, germacene, linalool, borneol, flavonoids and polyins. The sesquiterpene lactones are mainly responsible for the therapeutic effect. The herb(Tanaceti parthenii herba) harvested at flowering time is used phytotherapeutically, including leaves, stems and flowers.

Quality is defined in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).

HMPC monograph: Traditional-use: Prophylaxis of migraine headaches after exclusion of organic causes

ESCOP monograph: Prophylaxis of migraine attacks

Commission e-monograph: not processed

In folk medicine until the end of the 19th century used as a medicinal plant, especially for women's ailments, also to relieve flatulence, colic, pain and swelling. Since the 18th century, motherwort was used to treat headaches, toothaches, rheumatoid arthritis, migraines and "women's ailments", hence the name motherwort.

According to EMA for prophylaxis of migraine attacks: single dose: 100 mg herbal powder once a day, if necessary, slowly increase up to 200 mg powder herbal substance three times a day daily dose: 100 mg-600 mg.

Major contact allergen is the sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide. Sensitization potency: Strong. Sensitization frequency: Occasional. Cross-reactivity exists to related composite species such as chrysanthemum, tansy, daisy, yarrow and sunflower as well as laurel and frullania.

May alter bleeding time, do not combine with warfarin sodium!

Children and adolescents under 18 years of age, pregnancy and lactation; allergy to any of the ingredients, allergy to daisy. Combination with warfarin sodium due to altered bleeding time.

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