subject: Feverfew For Migraines [print this page] Feverfew For Migraines Feverfew For Migraines
If you suffer with migraines and have not been helped by traditional medication, you may want to consider feverfewas an alternative remedy. As its name suggests, the traditional use of feverfew is to lower body temperature. However, like most herbs, feverfew has multiple uses. For centuries it has been used as a remedy to bring on menstruation, expel the placenta after childbirth, and as an arthritis and rheumatism remedy.
In the 1980s feverfew became very popular as a migraine remedy in the United Kingdom. Since then, its use as a alternative migraine treatment has gone worldwide. Today, you will find many migraine remedies contain feverfew.
Why is feverfew such a popular migraine remedy? The herb contains the chemical compound parthenolide' which eases muscle spasms and prevents blood vessels from constricting. These characteristics make it an effective remedy for simple and cluster headaches as well.
What does science have to say about feverfew?More often than not, scientific studies have shown that migraine sufferers did better with feverfew than with a placebo. One study showed that it worked better than NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for migraine relief.Varied results may have more to do with the amount of parthenolide contained in feverfew.
Tablets and capsules must contain a minimum standardized amount of 0.2 percent parthenolide to be effective. However, some herbalists believe that pinching off two leaves of the plant and eating it raw is better than taking dried leaves in capsule form.
There are several ways to take feverfew. As mentioned, you can eat the leaves straight from the plant but you should know it is quite bitter. It is also available freeze-dried, in tablets, capsules, and liquid extract. Consider making the leaves into a tea and adding a sweetener.
Feverfew is safe when taken as directed, but as with any medication, there are people who should avoid it. Since feverfew is a blood thinner, do not take it if you are using anticoagulants. Also, pregnant women, lactating women, and children should not take feverfew. If you are taking other medication, check with your physician before taking feverfew.
There are no major reported side effects for feverfew, but a small percentage of people have reported loss of taste, and swollen lips and tongue.
If you've been using feverfewfor more than a week and decide to discontinue use, do not stop taking it abruptly. You will mostly likely experience withdrawal symptoms of headache, muscle stiffness, and joint pain.
Feverfew can provide effective relief of migraine headaches. Just remember to read the label. Any migraine remedy should contain at least 0.2 percent parthenolide or you will not reap the full benefit of the herb.
