Source: Wikipedia
| Feverfew | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Tanacetum |
| Species: | T. parthenium
|
| Binomial name | |
| Tanacetum parthenium | |
| Synonyms | |
Tanacetum parthenium, known as feverfew,[1] is a flowering plant in the daisy family, Asteraceae. It may be grown as an ornament, and may be identified by its synonyms, Chrysanthemum parthenium and Pyrethrum parthenium. Having its origin in the Balkans region, it is now distributed worldwide.[2]
Although long used in traditional medicine, there is no clinical evidence that it has any therapeutic effects.[2][3]
Description
[edit]The plant is a herbaceous perennial that grows into a small bush, up to 70 cm (28 in) high, with pungently-scented leaves.[3] The leaves are light yellowish green, variously pinnatifid. The conspicuous daisy-like flowers are up to 20 millimetres (3⁄4 in) across, borne in lax corymbs. The outer, ray florets have white ligules and the inner, disc florets are yellow and tubular. It spreads rapidly by seed, and will cover a wide area after a few years.[4][5] The plant produces achene fruit, and grows in stony slopes and river beds.[6]
Location and cultivation
[edit]Feverfew is native to Eurasia, specifically in the Balkans, Anatolia, and the Caucasus, but cultivation has spread it around the world.[2][3]
A perennial herb, it favors full sun 38 to 46 cm (15–18 in) apart. It grows up to 70 cm (28 in) tall. It is hardy to USDA zone 5 (−30 °C or −22 °F).
Outside of its native range, it may become an invasive weed.[7][8][9]
Uses
[edit]
Phytochemicals and traditional medicine
[edit]Phytochemicals found in feverfew include parthenolide, camphor, and the flavonoids, luteolin, and apigenin.[10] Feverfew has been used in traditional medicine, particularly in Europe,[11] where it is mentioned in an herbal monograph as a safe compound.[12] There is no good evidence for its use in treating migraine headaches[13] or any other clinical condition.[2][3]
Dietary supplement
[edit]The parthenolide content of commercially available feverfew supplements varies substantially (by more than 40-fold) despite labeling claims of "standardization".[14]
Adverse effects
[edit]Long-term use of feverfew followed by abrupt discontinuation may induce a withdrawal syndrome featuring rebound headaches and muscle and joint pains.[3] Feverfew may cause allergic reactions in those allergic to the daisy family, including contact dermatitis or swelling and numbness of the mouth.[3] Other side effects have included gastrointestinal upset such as mild nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and flatulence, which are, fortunately mild and transient.[3] When the herb is chewed or taken orally it may cause mouth ulcers.[3] Feverfew should not be taken by pregnant women.[3] It may interact with blood thinners and increase the risk of bleeding, and also may interact with a variety of medications metabolized by the liver.[3]
History and etymology
[edit]The word feverfew possibly derives from a feathery plant known as featherfew.[3]
Although its earliest use is unknown, it was documented in the 1st century CE by the Greek herbalist physician Dioscorides.[15] Much earlier, but less specifically, a text of Hippocrates in the 4th century BCE lists it as useful in treating lesions (On Ulcers 14).
References
[edit]- ^ NRCS. "Tanacetum parthenium". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 8 December 2015.
- ^ a b c d "Feverfew". National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, US National Institutes of Health. February 2025. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Feverfew". Drugs.com. 22 August 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
- ^ Parnell, J. and Curtis. 2012. Webb's An Irish Flora. Cork University Press. ISBN 978-185918-4783
- ^ Clapham, A.R, Tutin, T.G. and Warburg, E.F. 1968. Excursion Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-04656-4
- ^ Izadi Z, Esna-Ashari M, Piri K, et al. (2010). "Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) Essential Oil". International Journal of Agriculture & Biology: 459–463 – via CABI Digital Library.
- ^ Hadjikyriakou G, Hadjisterkotis E (2002). "The adventive plants of Cyprus with new records of invasive species". Zeitschrift für Jagdwissenschaft. 48 (S1). Springer Science and Business Media: 59–71. Bibcode:2002ZJag...48...59H. doi:10.1007/bf02192393. ISSN 0044-2887. S2CID 42896188.
- ^ "Feverfew, Tanacetum parthenium: Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States". Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
- ^ "Feverfew, Tanacetum parthenium Asterales: Asteraceae". Invasive.Org. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
- ^ Wu C, Chen F, Wang X, et al. (May 2006). "Antioxidant constituents in feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) extract and their chromatographic quantification". Food Chemistry. 96 (2): 220–227. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2005.02.024.
- ^ Pareek A, Suthar M, Rathore GS, et al. (January 2011). "Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.): A systematic review". Pharmacognosy Reviews. 5 (9): 103–110. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.79105. ISSN 0976-2787. PMC 3210009. PMID 22096324.
- ^ "Tanaceti parthenii herba". European Medicines Agency. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
- ^ Wider B, Pittler MH, Ernst E (2015). "Feverfew for preventing migraine". Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2020 (4). doi:10.1002/14651858.cd002286.pub3. ISSN 1465-1858. PMC 7133498. PMID 25892430. Archived from the original on 12 September 2024.
- ^ Draves AH, Walker SE (2004). "Parthenolide content of Canadian commercial feverfew preparations: Label claims are misleading in most cases" (PDF). Canadian Pharmacists Journal. 136 (10): 23–30. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 April 2012.
- ^ "Agricultural (Herbs and Spices): Feverfew Information". Government of Saskatchewan. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
