Dr. Gary Null
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 After starting them on feverfew and magnesium, they get a significant reduction in the number of headaches and the severity of pain. Even when they have headaches, they tend to be less frequent and less painful. In my experience, this combination will work for more than 70 percent of migraine sufferers.
"Some people find that they need to add the nutrient niacin. Niacin causes flushing in many people, and it is exactly this flushing that stops the migraine headache. By taking the blood out of the head and into the skin in the form of a flush, the migraine can be aborted before it even starts. |
Marion Nestle
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 Small improvements, for example, have been observed in studies of saw palmetto for prostate problems and taking feverfew for migraine headaches.20 In some cases, as might be expected, studies funded by companies that make the products tend to show benefits for the supplement, whereas independent studies find no such benefits; studies of ginkgo biloba for memory loss in the elderly are a prime example of such research inconsistencies. |
Robert S. McCaleb, Evelyn Leigh, and Krista Morien
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 Benefits
• Prevents and treats migraine headaches by decreasing platelet aggregation (the tendency of the blood platelets to clump) and by preventing the release of serotonin
• May help treat arthritis, psoriasis, and other inflammatory problems by preventing the release of inflammatory substances
Scientific Support
Several well-controlled studies show that feverfew dramatically reduces migraine frequency, pain intensity, and accompanying nausea and vomiting in people who have chronic migraines. The duration of migraine attacks does not appear to be significantly affected. |
| Commonly found in poor soils, feverfew thrives in sunlight but also tolerates shade. As Gerard noted in the seventeenth century, "It joyeth to grow among rubbish. |
| Migraine Prevention
Although migraines are rarely life-threatening, they can seem that way to those who suffer from them. feverfew leaf is a safe, inexpensive migraine preventive that has been shown to work even for some individuals who do not benefit from conventional treatments for migraine. It is thus one of the best examples of effective preventive medicine for a specific health condition. |
| Awang DVC. feverfew trials: the promise of—and the problem with—standardized botanical extracts. HerbalGram 1997; 41: 16-17.
9. McGuffm M, Hobbs C, Upton R, et al., eds. American Herbal Products Association Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton and New York: CRC Press LLC, 1997.
10. Foster S. 101 Medicinal Herbs. Loveland, CO: Interweave Press, 1998. |
| There were no side effects with feverfew treatment.3
How It Works
Although the deeper causes of migraine headaches are not fully understood, researchers now have a better understanding of what happens physiologically during an attack. Initially, blood vessels in the head constrict, reducing the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain. As the migraine progresses, blood vessels gradually dilate (widen) and become inflamed, stimulating pain receptors. Researchers now believe that platelets, a part of the blood involved in clotting, play a major role in migraines. |
Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 1Michael T. Murray, ND
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| DOSAGE
The effectiveness of feverfew is dependent upon adequate levels of parthenolide, the active principle. Unfortunately, recent analyses of the parthenolide content of over 35 different commercial preparations indicate a wide variation in the amount of parthenolide.10 The majority of products contained no parthenolide or only traces.
The preparations used in successful clinical trials had a parthenolide content of 0.4-0.66%. In order to achieve the benefits noted in the migraine studies, the dosage of parthenolide must be similar. |
Dr. Gary Null
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| Other natural treatments that have been the focus of research include a combination of vitamin D and calcium; magnesium supplementation; riboflavin; pyridoxine, used to combat medication-induced migraines; lithium, which raises choline levels (low in cluster-headache sufferers); omega-3 fatty acids; and feverfew.
Research has borne out many patients' claims that red wine, coffee, cow's milk, and chocolate are indeed migraine triggers. The effectiveness of an elimination diet, commonly avoiding preserved foods, dairy foods, and citrus, among others, has been shown in several studies. |
James A. Duke, Ph.D.
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 This herb contains some of the same anti-migraine compounds as feverfew.
Valerian. The roots contain a great anxiety-relieving sedative. But be warned—the tea smells like dirty gym socks.
Wild yam. Many herbalists recommend this herb for women's reproductive health.
Willow. The willow tree's easy-peeling bark contains the herbal version of aspirin.
Harvesting and Storing Herbs
Okay, so you've got a big peppermint patch, or whatever, growing in your garden or on your windowsill. Now what?
First you must harvest your herbs. You can snip off leaves and use them as needed. |
Nicola Reavley
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 Commonly used herbs include black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), chamomile (Matricaria recutita), skullcap (Scutellaria laterifolia), white willow (Salix alba) and valerian (Valeriana officinalis). feverfew (Tanacetumparthenium) is a very useful herb in the prevention of migraine. See page 3 84 for more information on these herbs and the precautions that may be necessary.
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a condition in which there is a serious defect in the immune system, the body's natural defense against disease. |
Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 2Michael T. Murray, ND
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| The effectiveness of feverfew is dependent upon adequate levels of parthenolide, the active principle.65
Zingiber officinalis
The common ginger root has been shown to exert significant effects against inflammation and platelet aggregation.66'67 Unfortunately, in relation to migraine headache, there is much anecdotal information but little clinical evidence. For example, a 1990 article described a 42-year-old woman with a long history of recurrent migraines who discontinued all medications for a 3-month period prior to a trial of ginger. |
| Estimation of commercial and authenticated feverfew products. J Pharm Pharmacol 1992; 44: 391-395
66. Kiuchi F, Iwakami S, Shibuya M et al. Inhibition of prostaglandin and leukotriene biosynthesis by gingerols and diarylheptanoids. Chem Pharm Bull 1992; 40: 387-391
67. Srivastava KC. Isolation and effects of some ginger components on platelet aggregation and eicosanoid biosynthesis. Prostaglandins Leurotri Med 1986; 25: 187-198
68. Mustafa T, Srivastava KC. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in migraine headaches. |
James A. Duke, Ph.D.
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| And some 10 to 18 percent of the people who use fresh feverfew develop mouth sores and/or inflammation of the mouth and tongue.
The good news is that you don't have to eat the leaves to get the full benefits of this herb. You may be able to avoid the side effects by making a tea with about two to eight fresh leaves. Steep them in boiling water, but do not boil them, as boiling may break down the parthenolides.
You can also take this herb in capsules, which is really the easiest way to do it. |
| One caveat: Pregnant women should not take feverfew because of a remote possibility that it might trigger miscarriage. And women who are nursing should not use it because of the possibility of passing the herb to infants in breast milk. Finally, long-term users often report a mild tranquilizing or sedative effect, which may be welcome or unwelcome, depending on your temperament. VW Willow (Salix, various species). |
| If I had a headache, I'd spike my lemon balm tea with feverfew, ginger and turmeric.
V Peppermint (Mentha piperita). When mixed with a little alcohol and rubbed on the temples, peppermint oil helps alleviate headache pain. I'd mix my peppermint oil with lavender and add eucalyptus and rosemary if they were available. I believe that all of these healing oils can work together harmoniously. But remember, these oils are for external use only.
V Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) and other foods containing magnesium. |
Robyn Landis
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 Pain Relief of OA
The same pain relievers recommended earlier for RA will work for short-term relief in OA: meadowsweet, white willow bark, dhphenylala-nine, feverfew, devil's claw, and Chinese corydalis tuber in the same doses recommended earlier. The topicals mentioned previously may also be useful; cayenne ointment applied externally appears to be especially beneficial for the pain of osteoarthritis.
Again, avoid NSAIDs. In addition to their side effects, they actually hinder the healing process. |
James A. Duke, Ph.D.
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| They are agrimony, angelica, betony, calaminth, caraway, catnip, coriander, cilantro, cumin, Chinese angelica (also known as dang-quai), fennel, feverfew, ginger, horehound, hyssop, juniper, lavender, lemon balm (also known as melissa), lo-vage, marigold, marjoram, motherwort, nutsedge, oregano, parsley, pennyroyal, roselle, rosemary, rue, saffron, tansy, tarragon, thyme, wild chervil, winter-green, wormseed (also known as epazote), yarrow and ylang-ylang.
I should also note that fruits and roots with enzymes that break down protein (proteolytics) are folkloric emmenagogues. |
Larry Trivieri, Jr.
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 For acute and chronic back pain: Willow bark, feverfew, rosemary, and the enzyme protease are useful to ease inflammation. For additional support, include a multivitamin, multimineral, amino acid complex, and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) from fish oil.
• For degenerated cartilage (osteoarthritis): Glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine HCL are the building blocks of cartilage and connective tissue, which maintain strong and flexible joints. |
Sheldon Saul Hendler
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 Some reports suggest that the herb feverfew may also be useful for rheumatoid arthritis. S-adenosylmethionine, or SAM, is a derivative of the amino acid L-methionine. It is presently being used in Europe as a drug for the treatment of arthritis and fibrositis. Results so far are encouraging, and its introduction into the U.S. drug marketplace is expected. Liniments and ointments containing the active principle of hot chili peppers, capsaicin, are often helpful as topical agents for the symptomatic treatment of such soft-tissue disorders as fibrositis. |
| It is important to note that commercial preparations of feverfew vary greatly in their active constituents.
8) Capsaicin. Liniments containing 0.025 percent capsaicin, such as Heet and Sloan's liniment, are frequently helpful in relieving symptoms of fibrositis, muscle tenderness and other soft-tissue afflictions when used topically.
9) Other. See sections on S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), DMSO and DL-phenylalanine. |
| The amount of the active principle varies in different feverfew plants, making herbal preparations frequently unreliable. Better quality control and standardization are badly needed in herbal marketing. Diet is also important in the management of migraine headaches. Chocolates and certain wines, for example, can provoke migraine attacks.
The Formula
1) Diet. A diet like the one proposed in the Formula for Cholesterol Control should be followed. Include in the diet fatty fish (such as tuna and salmon); get at least one serving three times weekly. |
| Feverfew appears beneficial in the treatment of migraine headaches and arthritis, according to recent research. Extracts of some herbs, such as licorice and Saint John's wort, have definite anti-viral activity, including activity against the AIDS virus, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Substances found in such herbs as echinacea are potent immunostimulants. The ginkgo tree has yielded at least one substance which is a circulation enhancer and may be helpful in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Anti-allergic bioflavonoids are being discovered in many herbs. |
| There are several feverfew products on the market. Be aware that their potency may vary considerably.
FORSKOLIN
(Future Drug?)
Coleus forskohili is a plant that has been extensively used in Ayurvedic medicine (traditional Indian medicine) for centuries. It is used to treat diseases of the lungs, such as asthma, of the heart and of the brain. Historically, some of the most important substances used in modern medicine have been derived from herbs. Forskolin, or a derivative of it, could become another such substance. Forskolin is extracted from the roots of Coleus forskohili. |
Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.
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 Those treated with feverfew had a 24 percent reduction in the number of migraine episodes, and those who continued to have headaches noticed a significant decrease in the severity and duration of attacks. Results of these studies were published in the British medical journal Lancet.
Capsaicin—Capsaicin, a compound found in hot chili peppers, causes nerve fibers to release a neurotransmitter (called substance F) that carries messages to the brain. Repeated contact with capsaicin depletes the nerve chemical resulting in fewer pain messages reaching the brain. |
James A. Duke, Ph.D.
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| Pregnant women should not take feverfew because of a remote possibility that it might trigger miscarriage. And women who are nursing should not use it because of the possibility of passing the herb to infants via milk. Finally, long-term users often report a mild tranquilizing or sedative effect, which may be welcome or unwelcome, depending on your temperament.
V Horseradish (Amoracia rusticana). There's nothing like a bite of fresh horseradish (or a spoonful of prepared horseradish dressing) to clear the sinuses. Or if you like Japanese food, try Japanese horseradish, called wasabi. |
David Brownstein
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 Heptinstall, Patrick, M. " feverfew in rheumatoid arthritis: a double blind, placebo-controlled study. " Ann. Rheum Pis. 1989;48;547
Chapter 10
Detoxification
Detoxification
This chapter will explain how exposure to chemicals can affect our bodies and how important it is to "detoxify" our bodies from the various chemicals and toxins that poison the cells. Exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins can adversely affect our immune system, which can further lead to poor health and chronic illness. |
Robert S. McCaleb, Evelyn Leigh, and Krista Morien
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| In this study, researchers found that an alcohol extract of feverfew had no benefits in relieving migraines, even though it had been standardized for parthenolide content.6These results conflict with previous studies that demonstrated positive effects using a dried whole-plant capsule standardized for parthenolide. Researchers now believe that one or more essential constituents were missing from the extract used in the 1996 study. An important constituent may be chrysan-thenyl acetate, an essential oil that inhibits prostaglandin synthesis. |
Gale Maleskey
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 A typical dosage of feverfew is 125 milligrams three times a day.
Supplements for Heavy Bleeding
Life is busy enough without having to worry about embarrassing accidents. Luckily, there are a lot of supplements that you can try individually or in combination to stem heavy menstrual flow. A few of these are yarrow, shepherd's purse, iron, vitamin C, and bioflavonoids.
Shepherd's Purse Helps with Heavy Flow
The herb called shepherd's purse has strong astringents, which are compounds that constrict blood vessels. |
| Herbs range from the towering, rock-hard lapacho tree of the Brazilian rain forests, which has an inner bark that helps cure fungal infections, to the lowly, common feverfew, a weed found in roadside ditches that does a remarkable job of preventing migraine headaches.
Discovering that a plant or part of a plant has healing properties is only part of the challenge, however. Anyone who prescribes or uses herbs would also like to know how these plants can deliver the most healing benefit to our bodies. |
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