Feverfew Monograph

Feverfew

Tanacetum parthenium

Quick Reference

Common names: feverfew, bachelor’s buttons, featherfew
Latin name: Tanacetum parthenium
Plant family: Asteraceae (daisy family)
Parts used: leaves, flowering tops
Primary actions: anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, nervine, bitter
Best preparations: fresh leaf, tincture, capsules, infusion (limited use)
Safety rating: generally safe with specific cautions
Grown at Wild Clover Farm: yes — self-seeding perennial

Botanical Description and Identification

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is a traditional medicinal herb best known for its long history of use in headache and migraine support. Native to Europe, it has been cultivated for centuries and readily adapts to garden settings.

Plant Characteristics

Leaves:
Leaves are bright green, deeply lobed, and fern-like, measuring 2 to 4 inches long. They are slightly hairy and emit a strong, bitter aroma when crushed.

Flowers:
Small, daisy-like flowers with white ray petals and yellow centers bloom in loose clusters from early to mid-summer. Flowers resemble small chamomile blooms but lack the hollow cone.

Stems:
Stems are upright, branching, and lightly hairy. Plants typically reach 18 to 30 inches tall.

Growth habit:
Feverfew is a short-lived perennial that readily self-seeds, often behaving like an annual in some climates.

Identification Notes

Feverfew may resemble chamomile at a glance, but it is distinguished by:

• strongly bitter leaves
• solid flower centers (not hollow)
• upright, bushy growth habit

Always confirm identification before use.

Native Range and Habitat

Feverfew is native to southeastern Europe and the Mediterranean region. It has naturalized widely in temperate regions worldwide.

It grows best in gardens, roadsides, and disturbed areas with good drainage. Feverfew tolerates poor soil and thrives in sunny locations.

Growing Feverfew

Climate and Growing Conditions

Feverfew grows well in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 9.

Sunlight:
Full sun to partial shade.

Soil:
Well-drained soil is essential. Feverfew tolerates poor, rocky, or sandy soil.

Water:
Moderate moisture during establishment. Once established, plants are drought tolerant.

Temperature:
Cold hardy and adaptable, though extreme heat may reduce vigor.

Propagation

From seed:
Seeds may be started indoors or direct sown after the last frost. Germination occurs in 10 to 14 days. Plants often flower in their first year.

Self-seeding:
Feverfew readily self-seeds if flowers are allowed to mature.

Spacing:
Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart.

Care and Maintenance

• Deadhead flowers to prolong bloom
• Allow some flowers to go to seed if self-seeding is desired
• Cut plants back after flowering to encourage fresh growth
• Minimal fertilization required

Feverfew has few pest or disease issues and is generally deer resistant.

Harvesting Feverfew

What to Harvest and When

Leaves and flowering tops are harvested for medicinal use.

Harvest leaves just before flowering for strongest potency. Leaves may also be harvested throughout the growing season.

The best time to harvest is midmorning, after dew has dried and before midday heat.

Harvesting Method

• Cut stems with clean scissors or pruners
• Harvest no more than one-third of the plant at a time
• Use fresh immediately or dry promptly

Fresh leaf use is traditional but requires caution.

Drying and Storage

Feverfew is most often used fresh or tinctured.

Drying:
Dry leaves and flowers in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space until fully dry.

Storage:
Store dried herb in airtight containers away from light and heat. Shelf life is approximately one year.

Traditional and Modern Uses

Feverfew has a long history of use for head pain and nervous system support.

Primary Uses

• Migraine and chronic headache support
• Reduction of inflammation
• Nervous tension and irritability
• Menstrual discomfort
• Mild digestive stimulation

Feverfew is traditionally used daily over time for migraine prevention rather than acute relief.

Energetics and Traditional Classification

• Temperature: cool
• Moisture: dry
• Taste: bitter, pungent
• Tissue affinities: nervous system, blood vessels
• Energetic indications: heat, inflammation, tension headaches

Feverfew is traditionally classified as a cooling bitter nervine, especially indicated for migraine and vascular headaches associated with heat and tension.

Primary Herbal Actions

• Anti-inflammatory: reduces inflammatory pain
• Nervine: supports nervous system balance
• Vasodilator: supports circulation
• Antispasmodic: relieves tension
• Analgesic (mild): supports pain relief

Preparation Methods

Fresh Leaf Use

Traditionally, one fresh leaf is chewed daily for migraine prevention. This method is effective for some individuals but may cause mouth irritation.

Feverfew Tincture

Tinctures provide a more controlled and tolerable method of use. Often preferred over fresh leaf.

Capsules

Standardized capsules are commonly used for consistent dosing, particularly for long-term use.

Feverfew Tea

Tea is less commonly used due to bitterness and lower effectiveness compared to other preparations.

Safety and Contraindications

Feverfew requires specific precautions.

• Avoid during pregnancy due to uterine-stimulating effects
• Avoid during breastfeeding
• Discontinue use two weeks before surgery
• Use caution with blood-thinning medications
• Possible mouth irritation with fresh leaf use
• Individuals allergic to Asteraceae plants should use caution

Do not stop feverfew abruptly after long-term use, as rebound headaches may occur.

Wild Clover Farm Notes

At Wild Clover Farm, feverfew is grown in well-drained garden beds and allowed to self-seed in select areas. Leaves are primarily tinctured for controlled use rather than consumed fresh.

Feverfew remains a valued plant for migraine support and serves as a reminder that some herbs work best through consistent, long-term use rather than immediate relief.

Oklahoma/Zone 7 Growing Notes

• Handles Oklahoma heat reasonably well but prefers some afternoon shade
• Short-lived perennial (2-3 years) but self-sows abundantly
• Blooms late spring through fall with regular deadheading
• Can overwinter but sometimes dies in harsh winters; self-sown seedlings replace it
• Feverfew's small daisy flowers can look weedy when they go to seed; deadhead religiously if you want tidy      appearance, or embrace the cottage garden chaos and let it self-sow freely

Foraging:

• Often garden-grown or naturalized near dwellings
• Harvest leaves before flowering
• Bitter taste is characteristic
• Avoid confusing with chamomile; feverfew has solid flower centers
• Use cultivated plants when possible

Common Questions

Is feverfew used for acute headaches?
It is most effective when used preventively.

Can feverfew be stopped suddenly?
Abrupt discontinuation may cause rebound headaches.

References and Further Reading

• Hoffmann, David. Medical Herbalism
• Wood, Matthew. The Earthwise Herbal
• Tierra, Michael. Planetary Herbology

Disclaimer

This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Always consult a qualified health care provider before using herbal products, especially for chronic conditions, during pregnancy, or while taking medications.