Introduction of Feverfew:Matricaria or Altamisa.

Popular Herbs. ✵The article gives records of the herb Feverfew, its English name, Latin name, common names, property and flavor, its botanical source one plant species, ①.Tanacetum parthenium., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of this plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this plant species, the features of the herb Feverfew, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.

Feverfew(Matricaria).

Tanacetum parthenium:flowers English Name: Feverfew.
 Latin Name: Tanacetum parthenium (L.)Schultz-Bip.Occasionally referred to as Chrysanthemum parthenium(L.) Bernh.or Matricaria parthenium L.
 Common Names: Altamisa, featherfoil, febrifuge plant, Matricaria, midsummer daisy, nosebleed, Santa Maria, wild chamobile, wild quinine.
 Property and flavor: specific.

 Brief introduction: Feverfew is a short, bushy perennial found in fields, along roadsides, and in waste places across North America. The plant has daisylike yellow and white flowers and closely resembles chamomile. The yellow-green leaves are used medicinally.

 Botanical source: Common herbal classics defined the herb Feverfew as the herb of the species (1). Tanacetum parthenium. It is a plant species of the Pimpinella genus, the Asteraceae family (composite, daisy family). The dried fruit and essential oil from the ripe fruit are used medicinally. This commonly used species is introduced:

(1).Tanacetum parthenium.


 Tanacetum parthenium:flowering feverfew Botanical description: Tanacetum parthenium is a strongly aromatic perennial plant, the leaves are pinnatisect to pinnatifid and yellowish-green. The basal and lower cauline leaves are more or less ovate with 3 to 7 oblong-elliptical to ovate segments, which are subpinnately divided. They are crenate or entire-margined.

 The 5 to 20 composite flower heads are in a dense corymb. The epicalyx has a diameter of 6~8 mm. The lingual florets are white and female. The ray florets are 2.5~7 mm. The achenes are 1.2~1.5 mm and 5 to 8 ribbed.

 Ecological environment: The plant is native to southeastern Europe and now is found all over Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia.

 Growth characteristics: The plant grows in mountain scrub, rocky slopes, walls, waste places, and a weed of gardens, avoiding acid soils.

 Characters of herbs: Feverfew leaves are the leaves of Tanacetum parthenium. The plant is cut before full flowering. It is dried in thin layers in the shade, at temperatures not exceeding 35 °C (Celsius, or 95 degrees Fahrenheit).

 Pharmacological actions: ①.relieve migraine symptoms; ②.anti-inflammatory; ③.antiplatelet effects; ④.antispasmodic effect; ⑤.antitumor effect; etc.

 Related studies found that taken on a regular basis, small amounts of dried leaves can help reduce the frequency, severity, and symptoms such as nausea and vomiting associated with migraine headaches. But feverfew has no impact on migraine headaches. Its component sesquiterpene lactone inhibit the release of serotonin antagonists from blood platelets, serotonin antagonists released during an attack may contribute to migraine pain by constricting blood vessels, and some sesquiterpene lactones also have antispasmodic activity, parthenolide may lower the pain threshold. Common tension headaches differ from migraine headaches in several ways, feverfew probably works only for migraine headaches. The herb has an anti-inflammatory effect, decreases platelet aggregation, antispasmodic effect, parthenolide and similar lactones are cytotoxic to several human cancer cell lines.

 Medicinal efficacy: Feverfew was used for fevers, headaches, arthritis, menstrual problems, and other aches and pains by early Europeans and Greeks. Since the late 1970s feverfew was used to prevent migraine headaches and associated nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms, it is also used for relieving ailments from aspirin treatment, such as asthma, menstrual pain, arthritis, and dermatitis. It is also used for relieving nervous tension, Mexicans use it to repel insects, and it is also used as an air purifier as it has a strong smelling.

 Administration of Feverfew (Matricaria): 
 
Reference: Administration Guide of Feverfew (Matricaria)
Herbal classic books: Dosage: to prevent migraines, two leaves are chewed, or two 400 mg tablets are taken three times a day, 250 mg of parthenolide is considered an adequate daily dosage. The liquid leaf extract is taken in doses of 4 to 8 ml.
 Contraindications, Precautions and Adverse Reactions: Feverfew appears to be relatively safe to use in typically recommended amounts, 10%~18% of individuals have developed adverse reactions, the most notable adverse reaction is mouth ulcers, other common adverse reactions are tongue and mouth irritation, lip swelling and loss of taste, so some individuals might suffer from a withdrawal syndrome called "postfeverfew syndrome" with symptoms nervousness, tension headaches, joint stiffness, and tiredness. Feverfew should be avoided if you are allergic to other plants in the daisy family, chamomile or ragweed. It should be avoided during pregnancy and nursing.

 

 
  

 

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References:
  • 1.Introduction of Feverfew:Matricaria or Altamisa.

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