Bill Gottlieb
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 Scientists believe that parthenolide, one of the active ingredients of feverfew, inhibits the release of serotonin and prostaglandin, hormones that may trigger migraines.
Garlic. Ancient Egyptians were serious garlic fans. They fed the odoriferous bulb to their slaves to keep them healthy. Now research shows that garlic can lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels and may even help heart attack survivors live longer. The National Cancer Institute in Rockville, Maryland, is studying garlic's tumor-fighting properties. On a more mundane level, garlic relieves gas and aids digestion. |
Neal Barnard, M.D.
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 Ginger and the herb feverfew can prevent migraines, and coffee sometimes cures them. Natural plant oils can reduce arthritis pain. Cranberry juice can fight the pain of bladder infections. Vitamin B6 can even increase your pain resistance, to name just a few.
Whether we are talking about back pain, migraines, cancer pain, or anything else, there are three basic principles to using foods to fight pain.
I will spell them out briefly here and, in the chapters that follow, will show you how to apply them.
1. Choose pain-safe foods. |
Mark Stengler, N.D.
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 Scientists aren't sure why feverfew can help prevent migraine headaches, but they do have theories. It's thought that the herb helps reduce the clumping of specialized cells in blood that form blood clots—the cells called platelets. Researchers believe that platelet aggregation leads to the release of inflammatory chemicals, which alters the way blood circulates through the brain. When platelets begin to aggregate in an abnormal way, the process is thought to cause biochemical imbalances with the neurotransmitter serotonin, and these imbalances, in turn, lead to migraine headaches. |
Joe Graedon and Teresa Graedon
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 There are worrisome reports of a rebound syndrome in those who stop feverfew suddenly, however, and an interaction with anticoagulants such as Coumadin is suspected, although it hasn't been studied.
Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10)
CoQ10 as it is sometimes called, is not an herb, but it is sold in health food stores as a nutrient. It is a very popular alternative treatment for everything from heart failure and gum disease to lowered immunity and lack of energy. Ubiquinone is a natural substance made by the body and is important to many biochemical reactions. |
Earl Mindell
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 B complex (time release) twice daily Calcium and magnesium (twice as much calcium as magnesium is the proper ratio), which are nature's tranquilizers For migraines try:
White willow bark or feverfew capsules 3 times daily Ginkgo biloba, 60 mg. a.m. and p.m. may help prevent migraines
228. Heartburn
Over-the-counter antacids, such as Gelusil™, Kolantyl™, Maalox™, Di-Gel™, Rolaids™, contain aluminum, which disturbs calcium and phosphorus metabolism. You'll probably be better off taking one MSM 1,000 mg. tablet 3 times daily to decrease the acid (or two calcium 250 mg. and magnesium 125 mg. |
| Echinacea and American feverfew extract capsules, 1-2, a.m. and p.m. for 1 month
272. Mumps
A vaccine for mumps exists, but the disease is still quite common and just as nutritionally debilitating. The virus can spread through the patient's entire system, involving not only the salivary glands but the testicles or ovaries, the pancreas, the nervous system, and sometimes even the heart.
Beta-carotene, 10,000 IU (reduce dose for children) 1-3 times daily for 5 days, then stop for 2 Rose hips vitamin C, 500-1,000 mg. twice daily Vitamin E, 200-400 IU (dry form) daily
273. |
| Zinc lozenge (let dissolve in mouth) 3-4 times daily Echinacea and American feverfew extract, 3-5 daily at onset of symptoms, for 2-3 days.
263. Colitis
As a rule this illness is more common in women than men and often is triggered by emotional upset. Alternating diarrhea and constipation, as well as abdominal pain, are its distressing hallmarks. Diet is of prime importance and vitamins are recommended.
MVP (see section 172)
Potassium, 99 mg. (elemental) 1-3 times daily Raw cabbage juice (vitamin U), 1 glass 3 times daily Water, 6-8 glasses daily
Aloe vera juice (for internal use), 1 tbsp. |
John Heinerman
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 PUSSY WlllOW
(see CATTAIL)
PYRETHRUM
(Pyrethrum roseum)
(Also see CHRYSANTHEMUM) Brief Description
The genus Chrysanthemum includes pyrethrum. feverfew, marguerite and daisy. But only those in the section Pyrethrum are known to possess distinctly insecticidal properties. In former times this earned the several pyrethrum species the appropriate nickname of "insect flowers."
In some ways, the pyrethrum flowers resemble those of chamomile, with their very small and numerous flowers that are often yellowish or brownish-white in appearance. |
| Some bodily instinct told me to give the feverfew a chance to work.
"After about the sixth month I went a whole month without a headache. And when I did have one it was not as severe as they had been. After ten months there were no more headaches. Now it has been several years since I was bilious or had a migraine headache. Little headaches, yes, like we all have, but nothing ever like those horrible migraines of the past."
In the meantime she had told her physician husband, Tom, that she was taking an herb. |
Dr. Mary Dan Eades
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 Contraindications—
• Pregnant women should not use feverfew because of its ability to stimulate uterine contractions.
• Nursing mothers should avoid this herb so as not to pass it to their infant.
• Although chewing the leaves of this plant is one of the most effective ways to benefit from its healing properties, doing so can cause mouth sores.
• Long-term use can have a tranquilizing effect.
- Ginger-
Zingiber officinale
Forms—The roots and rhizomes are used to make juice, powder, capsules, and dried herb. |
Mark Stengler, N.D.
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| Murphy JJ, Heptinstall S, Mitchell IRA, Randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial of feverfew in migraine prevention. The Lancet July 23,1988; 189-192.
FIBER
• "... Table 4 . . ." Marlett J, Cheung T. Database and quick methods of assessing typical dietary fiber intakes using data for 228 commonly consumed foods. J Am Diet Assoc 1997; 97:1139-1147.
• "... Women on vegetarian diets have been shown to have up to 50 percent lower levels of free estrogen in their blood than women who eat meat..." Goldin B.R. et al, Estrogen patterns and plasma levels in vegetarian and omnivorous women. |
Dr. Mary Dan Eades
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| The British Medical Journal published studies claiming that feverfew prevents migraine attacks. There are many ways to take this herb. You could can chew the leaves, but they taste awful. I recommend making a tea. Be careful not to bring the water to a boiling point, because it may break down the active compounds found in the leaves. You can also take capsules. Capsules come in many different dosages, so be sure to consult an herbal practitioner to find a dose that's right for you. Caution: Do not take this herb if you are pregnant. Studies indicate that it may trigger miscarriage. |
Michael Castleman
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 Don't give feverfew to children under the age of 1. For older children or people over age 65, start with low-strength preparations and increase strength if necessary.
Garlic
After ephedra, garlic is considered the world's second oldest medicine (along with its close botanical relatives onions, scallions, leeks, chives and shallots). The oldest surviving garlic prescription, chiseled into a Sumerian clay tablet, dates from 3000 B.C. |
| Other physicians now tout feverfew to prevent migraine headache, garlic to control cholesterol, saw palmetto to treat prostate enlargement, willow bark to prevent heart attack and ginger to relieve nausea. Medicine is moving forward into its herbal past as consumers and doctors alike rediscover the "roots" of healing—not to mention its leaves, stems and flowers.
Herbal Medicine: Ancient and Thoroughly Modern
The botanical roots of modern medicine are everywhere—if you know where to look. |
Earl L. Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.
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 If you tend to get migraines, it's best to take feverfew daily as a preventive until you've found the underlying cause. You can use it in capsule or tincture form, but since it tastes absolutely terrible you might want to stick with the capsules! Follow the instructions on the container.
Coffee. If you feel a headache coming on, a cup or two of coffee can constrict your blood vessels enough to prevent it. On the other hand, too much coffee can cause a headache, as can coffee withdrawal. Coffee is a stimulating drug and should be treated as such.
Relaxation. |
Elson M. Haas, M.D.
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 If no therapeutic response is seen in two separate trials, feverfew herb will not likely be an effective migraine treatment. If it works, I then usually suggest one 500 mg. capsule once or twice daily for prevention. Though it appears fairly nontoxic, I suggest using it for only two to three weeks prophylactically and then stopping for a week. It can also be effective with no regular usage, taking it only when a headache begins.
Garlic
Garlic, or Allium sativum, is one of the bigshots in herbal lore. |
Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 1Michael T. Murray, ND
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| Estimation of commercial and authenticated feverfew products. J Pharm Pharmacol 1992; 44: 391-395
18. Awang DVC. Commercial taheebo lacks active ingredient. Can Pharm J 1988; 121: 323-326
19. Liberti LE and Marderosian AD. Evaluation of commercial ginseng products. J Pharm Sci 1978; 67: 1487-1489
20. Soldati F, Sticher O. HPLC separation and quantitative determination of ginsenosides from Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolium and from ginseng drug preparations. Planta Med 1980; 39(4): 348-357
21. Siegel RK. Ginseng abuse syndrome. JAMA 1979; 241: 1614-1615
22. Hikino H. |
| Analysis of over 35 different commercial preparations of feverfew found that the majority of products contained no parthenolide or only traces.17 Analysis of 12 commercial sources of taheebo could identify lapachol (in trace amounts) in only one product.18 Perhaps the best example of problems that can result when there is lack of quality control is Panax ginseng.
Panax ginseng and quality control
Panax ginseng (Korean ginseng) contains at least 13 different steroid-like compounds, collectively known as ginsenosides, which are believed to be its most important active ingredients. |
| Bolin, personal communication, 1996), acupuncture, homeopathy, and the botanical feverfew (Ttmacetum parthenium).27 The functional medicine practitioner might employ any one or a combination of these therapies, realizing that no single approach is effective with all migraine sufferers. Rea25 found that the headache symptoms of 100% of a group of 30 migraine sufferers were triggered by chemicals under controlled challenge, but these were patients who reported chemical sensitivity. |
John Heinerman
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| She finally cured herself for good by eating three little leaves of a common garden weed called feverfew. Also, the usual stiffness and aching pain accompanying her osteoarthritis went away as well. Just three years later, at age 68, she was a bright-eyed, sprightly lady with more evidence of physical activity in her movements than many 50-year-olds.
"I have had migraines since I was about 16," Mrs. Jenkins began. I remember that very often I couldn't do my homework or play like other children. At first the attacks came every month to six weeks. |
Thomas Bartram
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 Cactus, feverfew, Ginkgo, Meadowsweet, Nettles, Parsley, Rutin, Skullcap. Tea, formula. Combine equal parts: Hawthorn, Ginkgo, Valerian. 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup water gently simmered 5 minutes. Dose: Half-1 cup thrice daily.
Tablets/capsules. Bamboo gum, Ginkgo, Hawthorn, Prickly Ash, Rulavite, Wild Yam. Practitioner. (1) Liquid extracts: Lily of the Valley 10ml; Hawthorn 15ml; Valerian 5ml. Tincture Capsicum 0.3ml (5 drops). Dose: 15-60 drops in water thrice daily.
(2) Lily of the Valley, tincture BPC 1934: dose 0.3-1.2ml.
(3) Tincture Gelsemium for severe headache. Diet. |
David Heber, M.D., Ph.D.
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 The herbal use of feverfew dates back at least two thousand years. Laboratory studies show that it inhibits the release of a substance called "histamine," which can affect blood vessels and increase the intensity of migraine headaches. The action of this herb is enhanced if it is present before the test stimulus is given. This observation translates to its use in the prevention of migraine headaches. Parthenolide is the active ingredient, and preparations are standardized to deliver a known amount of this substance. A daily dose of 125 milligrams of the leaf, assuming a 0. |
Dr. Gary Null
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 Efficacy of feverfew as Prophylactic Treatment of Migraine," British Medical Journal 291, no. 6495 (August 31, 1985): 569-73.
Noting that most migraine drugs have side effects that limit their use, some researchers propose ginger as an alternative since it is known in Ayurvedic and Tibb systems of medicine to be helpful in treating neurological disorders.
T. Mustafa and K. C. Srivastava, "Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in Migraine Headache," Journal of Ethnopharmacology 29, no. 3 (July 1990): 267-73. |
Ruth Winter, M.S.
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 The name feverfew is derived from the word "febrifuge," which means "to lower fever," the most common use for the herb by Greek physicians. It is now being investigated as a preventative for migraines. Used in "organic" cosmetics. F1BRONECTIN • A fibrous protein widely distributed in connective tissue and membranes and present on cell surfaces. Acts as an adhesive and as a defense mechanism.
FICIN • An enzyme occurring in the latex of tropical trees and usually isolated from figs. A buff-colored powder with an acrid odor. Absorbs water. Concentrated and used as a meat tenderizer. |
James A. Duke, Ph.D.
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 Cascara sagrada
Castor
Cat's claw Cayenne
Celery seed
Chamomile
Chasteberry
Comfrey
Dandelion
Devil's claw Dill seed
Echinacea
Eucalyptus
Fennel feverfew Flaxseed Garlic
Gentian
Ginger
Ginkgo
The seeds, bark, leaves, and unripe fruit can cause vomiting or severe diarrhea.
Do not take more than 8 milligrams in a single dose. Avoid ephedra products that contain caffeine, and steer clear of foods that contain caffeine while using ephedra. |
| May cause adverse reactions in those with allergies or sensitivities, especially to chamomile, feverfew, ragweed, or other members of the daisy family. Can cause vomiting and severe diarrhea in large doses.
Do not use if you have kidney disease.
Do not use in combination with antidepressant MAO inhibitors such as phenelzine sulfate (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate) unless under medical supervision.
Do not use if you have any intestinal inflammation, intestinal obstruction, or abdominal pain. |
| By the way, you can get COX-2-inhibiting compounds from other good herbs, including barberry, feverfew, ginger, green tea, holy basil, Japanese knotweed, oregano, rosemary, sage, skullcap, and thyme. You can use some of these in cooking, or make them as teas—1 to 2 teaspoons of herb per cup of freshly boiled water, steeped for 10 minutes, then strained.
Of the herbal COX-2 inhibitors, rosemary is particularly attractive as a cancer preventer. In addition to its COX-2-inhibiting compounds, the herb contains about 20 different antioxidants.
WILLOW BARK (SALIX, VARIOUS
SPECIES). |
Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
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 Avoid this herb if you have congestive heart failure, discontinue taking feverfew if you have an allergic reaction.
FORMULAS
FORMULA COMMENTS
True Warrior A traditional Chinese herbal formula designed to treat people
Decoction1 who have aching bones and joints, aversion to cold, and cold extremities. Used if the primary symptom is swelling.
Precautions for the use of formulas:
'Discontinue using True Warrior Decoction if you develop a fever. This formula may cause a loss of sensation in the mouth and tongue. |
Thomas Bartram
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| Others: Blue Flag root, Buchu, Chaparral, Butterbur, Echinacea, feverfew, Garlic, Goldenseal, Holy Thistle, Horse Radish (Vogel), Juniper berries, Myrrh, Nasturtium, Poke root, Red Clover, Watercress (Vogel), Wild Indigo, Wild Thyme.
Vitamin C is a powerful antibiotic (1 -2g daily).
ANTIINFLAMMATORIES. A group of agents known to reduce inflammation. Action is not to suppress but to enable tissue to return to normal on the strength of its own resources. |
| Chamomile (German, Roman), Cowslip root, Fennel, feverfew, Heartsease, Mistletoe, Turmeric, Yellow Dock.
Specific. Bistort (bowel). Comfrey (bones). Devil's Claw (muscles). St John's Wort (nerve tissue). Lignum vitae (rheumatic joints). Poke root (lymph vessels). Eyebright (conjunctivitis: topical as an eye lotion). Horsechestnut (anus). Bogbean (liver and gall bladder). Steroid-like action. Ginseng, Black Cohosh, Black Haw, Liquorice, Wild Yam. Aspirin-like action. Birch, Black Willow bark, Meadowsweet, White Poplar bark, White Willow bark, Wintergreen. |
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