Best Herb for Headaches - Feverfew
Feverfew for headaches
Feverfew, also called bachelor's button, is a popular herb remedy for headaches. This herb is a member of a sunflower family, and many people grow the plant themselves and then harvest the leaves. Feverfew is a short perennial that blooms between July and October. The yellow feverfew leaves gives a stong and bitter odor. The leaves grow on both sides of the stem at alternating levels and turn downward with short hairs. Feverfew first believed to relieve fever symptoms but it didn't turn out to be the case. Today it is mainly used to prevent migraine headaches.
Common names: Feverfew, featherfew and bachelor's buttons.
Feverfew capsules:
Medicinal uses and indications:
Feverfew is one of the best herb remedy for headaches. Feverfew has been used to prevent migraine headaches. Feverfew has also been used in the prevention and treatment of asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, menstrual irregularities, inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis, toothache, stomach aches, dizziness, nausea, vomitting and insect bites.
What feverfew made of?
Feverfew is made of dried leaves, but the aerial parts of the plant is also used for medicinal purposes.The migraine-relieving activity of feverfew is believed to be due to parthenolide, an active compound that helps relieve smooth muscle spasms.
Available forms of feverfew:
Feverfew supplements are available fresh, dried, freeze dried and can be purchased in capsule, tablet, or liquid extract forms. Parthenolide content differs from product to product and usually depends on its geographical origin. Feverfew preparations should be standardized to contain at least 0.2% parthenolide.
Side effects of feverfew:
Side effects from feverfew may include abdominal pain, indigestion, diarrhea, vomiting, flatulence, and nervousness. Others may include changes in food taste, swelling of the lips, mouth ulcers, Rarely, allergic reactions to feverfew have also been reported. In fact, people with allergies to chamomile, and ragweed will likely be allergic to feverfew and, therefore, should not take it.
Precautions:
Herbs should be taken with care, under the supervision of a health care provider qualified in the field of botanical medicine. Pregnant and nursing women, people who have high blood pressure and children under 2 years should not take feverfew.
