Feverfew

Feverfew – Tanacetum parthenum – Also known as Featherfoil or Flirtwort. Semievergreen Feverfew has pungent, divided, medium to yellow-green leaves and white daisy flowers appearing in summer. The leaves add a bitter tang to food and are found in digestive apéritifs. They relax blood vessels, reduce inflammation and are mildly sedative. Feverfew’s importance lies in its success in reducing some migraines. Chewed daily its accumulative effect is to reduce headache pains and inhibit the secretion of a compound implicated in migraine and arthritis; infused flowering tops are applied to ease headaches and arthritic swellings. A tea is taken for tinnitus and irregular periods. Warning: Fresh leaves can irritate the mouth.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Feverfew has been used to relieve headaches, migraines, menstrual irregularities, and stomachaches. It is also a mild sedative and antispasmodic.

Other Uses: Travelers carry it as a ward against sickness or accidents during their journeys. Protection; Purification; Defense; Cleansing.