Occasionally grown as an ornament plant, the feverfew herb has many uses. This article describes the feverfew uses in the medicinal field and also about some of the side-effects which may occur due to the uses.
Feverfew herb is native to Eurasia, and is a member of the sunflower family. It gets its name from the Latin word ‘febrifuge’, which means ‘fever reducer’. The herb has a downy erect stem and can grow up to about 60 cm in height. It has yellowish-green ovate leaves and bears a strong and bitter odor. Feverfew uses can be traced back from traditional medicines which were used by European folk.
Medicinal Uses of Feverfew
Feverfew uses for different medicinal purposes come from its properties of being anti-inflammatory, migraine prophylactic, vasodilatory, antirheumatic, febrifuge, digestive bitter, anthelmintic and uterine stimulant. Benefits of ferverfew are well-known for their properties of treating migraines and headaches. The herb not only treats the pain, but the cause of it, as well. It has been found to be more efficacious than medicines which are prescribed for headaches.
This is because the plant works to inhibit the release of serotonin (a neurotransmitter involved in sleep and depression) and prostaglandins (a potent substance that acts like a hormone and is found in many bodily tissues (and especially in semen). By affecting the release of these inflammatory substances, feverfew counters the inflammation and prevents blood vessel spasms and thus, provides relief from headaches.
Due to the anti-inflammatory properties of the herb, it also forms a part of the treatment of arthritis. Apart from this, conditions such as high blood pressure, fever, stomach irritation, poor appetite, digestion problems, kidney problems, dizziness, tinnitus, painful menstruation, psoriasis, toothache, rheumatism, cough, dermatitis and even worms can be treated with the use of this medicinal herb.
However, along with all such benefits of feverfew, there are, as well, a number of side effects which this herb may be associated to. So, all such possible side effects of the use of this plant have been detailed below.
Side Effects of Feverfew
Herbs are known to be abundant in components which may cause undesirable side effects in the body. Due to this, their use for strengthening the body and treatment of any ailment is time-honored. Side effects which may get triggered by using feverfew include diarrhea, nausea, nervousness, mouth ulcer and loss of taste. The user may also experience indigestion, abdominal pain, swelling of the lips, tongue and mouth, vomiting and flatulence.
People suffering from or prone to bleeding disorders must be cautious towards the use of feverfew, as it might aggravate the illness. Same goes for people who are on blood thinning medications. It is also not considered safe to abruptly stop the intake of the herb, as sudden withdrawal may cause the rebound of symptoms, described above. Expecting and nursing mothers are not recommended the use of the herb, as there might be the risks of congenital defects or abortion. Children below 2 years of age are also not considered to be grown enough to use the herb.
The recommended dosage for the herb as capsules or tablets is 50 – 200 mg, administered two times daily. If taken in tincture form, 1:5 in 25% alcohol, 5 to 20 drops, twice in a day. However, it is always safe and wise to sought for a doctor’s advice on the use and dosages of the feverfew herb. As you can see, the side effects that it can cause may be adverse at times. So, having a doctor advising you on the use of this herb will help you attain the maxim benefits and the minimal of side effects.
