Feverfew

Chrysanthemum parthenium (L) Bernh

Names:

Pyrethrum parthenium,Featherfew,Featherfoil,Flirtwort,Bachelors' Buttons, Flirtwort,Sweet feverfew, Chrysanthemum suaveolens

There are several varieties of feverfew, among them a double flowered blossom and a variegated leaf cultivar.

History:

The name Feverfew is derived from the Latin "febrifugia" , meaning a substance which drives out fevers.

Pyrethrum is derived from the Greek, "pur", for fire.

Modern homeopathic application is for migraine.

Constituents:

Volatile oils, stearoptene

Uses:

Aperient,carminative, bitter, used for hysteria, nervousness and to promote menstruation.
Moth repellant.
Small quantities cut the grease in foods.
A warmed external application is used or gas or colic., depression,and with sugar or honey for coughs, wheezng and difficulty with breathing.
Relieving insect stings, migraine.

Migraine:

For a migraine, take one dried blossom and steep it in a cup of boiling water for ten minutes. Take up to three cups per day.

Contra-Indications:

Though my herb books do not note potential difficulties, all herb remedies should be explored as to dosage, used in moderation because many of them can be used homeopathically (in minute, but effective doses).

When less can be more.

In A Modern Herbal another herb is employed as an embalming agent, but its' ingredient properties are identical with a property of Feverfew,stearopten

Stearic acid is used in candles and soaps as a hardener, so, like nitrate -cured meats, Feverfew should be taken in moderation.

Note Well: I have used it successfully for migraine, using one dried flower head per cup of hot water, but when I included a 3/4 inch new spring leaf in a recipe for votive herb pancakes, I felt it on my tongue as numbness, and also in my stomach and while it was exiting, too, so it is not a medicine to play around with.