Feverfew is a perennial plant with daisy-like flowers, native to western Asia and the Balkans. It is promoted mainly to prevent migraine headaches, and also for minor pain and joint support.
Also known as: Tanacetum parthenium, bachelor's buttons, featherfew.
There is no intake value, and NCCIH gives no standard amount. NCCIH says the migraine studies used different sources and doses of feverfew.
It is sold in the US as a dietary supplement. Under the 1994 dietary supplement law (DSHEA), FDA does not approve dietary supplements before they are marketed, and the maker, not FDA, is responsible for safety and labeling.
What studies show: NCCIH says some research suggests feverfew may help prevent migraines, but results are mixed and the studies were small. A 2015 Cochrane review of 6 trials (561 people) found that the largest, most rigorous trial (218 people) cut migraines by 0.6 more attacks a month than placebo (from 4.8 to 2.9 a month, versus 4.8 to 3.5 on placebo); the reviewers rate this low-quality evidence, since earlier positive trials were small and two rigorous trials found no difference (Wider 2015). There is not enough evidence for other conditions.
Safety: NCCIH says no serious side effects have been reported; nausea, digestive problems and bloating can occur, and chewing fresh leaves can cause mouth sores. People sensitive to ragweed and related plants may react to it. It may slow blood clotting and should be stopped at least 2 weeks before surgery, and it may interact with some medicines, including migraine medicines. Do not take it in pregnancy, as it may affect uterine contractions; little is known about breastfeeding.
We could not find a single published half-life or time to peak for feverfew that applies to a supplement dose, so we do not list one. Plant and bee products are mixtures of many compounds, so no single figure would describe them.
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