Amber Technology's Reference Center
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Amber Technology's Reference Center
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Feverfew
http://www.primary.net/~gic/herb/feverfew.htm
Recently feverfew has been gaining fame as a effective treatment for migraine headaches. It may also help ease diseases caused by chronic inflammation such as arthritis. It is an aromatic plant with a strong and lasting odor, it has been used externally as an insect repellent and for treating insect bites.
It is the combination of ingredients in the feverfew plant that brings such effective relief. It works to inhibit the release of two inflammatory substances, serotonin and prostaglandins, both believed to contribute to the onset of migraines. By inhibiting these amines as well as the production of the chemical histamine, the herb controls inflammation that constricts the blood vessels in the head, and prevents blood vessel spasms which may contribute to headaches.
Clinical tests have shown the use of feverfew may reduce of frequency and severity of headaches. It may be more effective than other nonsteroidal antiinflammatories (NSAIDS), like aspirin. Additional benefits include lower blood pressure, less stomach irritation and a renewed sense of well-being.
http://www.lakotaherbal.com/english/1_herbs.php
Feverfew - Herb used for inflammation and pain control. The active ingredients found in feverfew help reduce pain by inhibiting prostaglandins and promoting vasodilation, thus reducing inflammatory reactions in the body.
http://www.nancysuniverse.com/Brain%20related/Headaches.htm
Feverfew. This herb not only helps to prevent migraine headaches, but can stop a headache before it hits. If you feel a headache coming on, take a capsule & lay down.
(I have tasted the tea & I personally recommend the capsule)
Feverfew was forgotten until 1978, when British newspapers told of a woman who had cured her migraines with feverfew leaves. The article caught the attention of serious medical researchers who decided to further examine the phenomenon. In 1985, the well respected British medical journal Lancet reported that extracts of feverfew inhibited the release of 2 inflammatory substances – serotonin, from platelets & prostaglandin, from white blood cells – both throughout to contribute to the onset of migraine attacks & perhaps even to play a role in rheumatoid arthritis.
The primary active ingredient in feverfew is parthenolide, which inhibits the release of chemicals in the body that can cause inflammation. It may take many months before migraine sufferers notice an improvement, but it is well worth the wait. It seems to work well for most people as a preventive in migraine headaches. Some herbalists suggest taking an additional dose if you feel a migraine coming on.
Caution: Feverfew can interfere with blood clotting; therefore, if you are taking any anticoagulants, you must be closely monitored by your physician if you are also taking Feverfew.
Feverfew should not be used during pregnancy or nursing mothers. Chewing the whole leaf can cause mouth ulcers.
http://www.w-h-a.org/wha2/Newsite/resultsnav.asp?idContentNews=541
Approximately 25% of modern prescription drugs are derived from plants. Compared with modern medicines, herbal remedies have not undergone the same scientific scrutiny, and many remedies are used despite the lack of demonstrated efficacy.
Even without hard evidence of their effectiveness, many patients prefer to use them instead of, or together with, prescribed medications. Some patients have simply tried all conventional options to no avail and decide to try herbal remedies or alternative procedures as a last resort option, often unaware of the risks of harmful interactions. Researchers at Boston University School of Public Health surveyed 2,600 people and found that 16% of those taking prescription drugs also took an herbal or other supplement.
It can be frustrating trying to find trustworthy, scientific information about alternative and complementary remedies. Many of the herbal remedy websites are also trying to sell products and are therefore biased. Because many products can have potentially harmful side effects and/or serious interactions with other remedies or drugs, understanding the potential risks and benefits is vital.
There are some complementary medications that have demonstrated efficacy for migraine in one or more controlled clinical trials, including feverfew, magnesium, vitamin B2. Additional therapies that are often used, but do not have convincing evidence of efficacy to date include low-dose aspirin, homeopathic medications, aromatherapy and food exclusions following allergy testing.
The new guidelines for the management of migraine in primary care were published in Current Medical Research and Opinion in 2002 and posted on Medscape. The Guidelines recommend that alternative therapies should be available to patients who want them, but only under supervision: "The physician can recommend use of these therapies, one at a time, if the patient shows interest and wants to try something new. However, effective acute medications should always be available, as these therapies are no more a 'cure' than any of the conventional prophylactic agents."
The recommendations also say, "In addition, alternative stress reduction strategies, such as aromatherapy, reflexology or yoga, may all be beneficial. It needs to be stressed that patients should only consult with accredited complementary practitioners."
The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center recently launched a very informative website, with evidence-based information about herbs, botanicals and other products. While designed for healthcare professionals dealing with cancer patients, the site offers information about natural remedies popular with some migraine sufferers.
The following is a brief overview of feverfew, magnesium and vitamin B2 for the prevention of migraine, along with some of the clinical trial data:
Feverfew
This herb is a member of the chrysanthemum family and has been used in England to prevent migraine, although clinical data regarding efficacy are contradictory.
Feverfew has a long history of use in traditional and folk medicine as a treatment for disorders often controlled by aspirin, such as fever, headaches and some of the accompanying symptoms such as nausea and depression.
It is the combination of ingredients in the feverfew plant that makes it effective in some people. It works to inhibit the release of two inflammatory substances, serotonin and prostaglandins, both believed to contribute to the onset of migraines. By inhibiting these amines as well as the production of the chemical histamine, the herb controls inflammation that constricts the blood vessels in the head, and prevents blood vessel spasms that may contribute to headaches. Taken daily, it may reduce frequency of migraine attacks.
Because feverfew interferes with blood clotting mechanisms, it should not be used at the same time as other anticoagulants, such as aspirin.
1. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Information Resource: About Herbs, Botanicals & Other Products.
2. Dowson AJ et al. New Guidelines for the Management of Migraine in Primary Care. Curr Med Res Opin 2002;18(7):414-439. - Article posted on Medscape
3. Herbal Information Center
4. Mauskop A et al. Intravenous magnesium sulfate relieves migraine attacks in patients with low serum ionized magnesium levels: a pilot study. Clin Sci 1995;89:633-636.
Sources:
Dowson AJ et al. New Guidelines for the Management of Migraine in Primary Care. Curr Med Res Opin 2002;18(7):414-439. - Article posted on Medscape
Evans RW and Mathew NT. Handbook of Headache. Philadelphia: Lippincott Wilkins and Williams, 2000.
South V. Migraine. Toronto: Key Porter Books Ltd, 2001.
Silberstein SD, Lipton RB, Dalessio DJ eds. Wolff's Headache and Other Head Pain, 7th Edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2001.
Rapoport AM and Sheftell FD. Headache Disorders: A Management Guide for Practitioners. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company, 1996.
There are two older clinical trials showing efficacy - one published in the Lancet in 1988 and the other in the British Medical Journal in 1985. There are additional studies that do not support the use of feverfew as prophylaxis against migraine headaches.
Murphy JJ, et al. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of feverfew in migraine prevention. Lancet 1988;23:189-92.
The authors' conclusions suggest that feverfew is safe and effective in the prophylaxis of migraine headaches.
Johnson ES, et al. Efficacy of feverfew as prophylactic treatment of migraine. BMJ 1985;291:569-73.
The placebo group experienced a significant increase in the frequency and severity of headache. Those given the feverfew had no change. It was later suggested that the placebo group suffered from post-feverfew withdrawal symptoms.