Traditional Evidence

Native to central and southern Europe and now found throughout Australia and North America too (Chevallier 1996, p.139), the plant Feverfew also known as Tanacetum parthenium has been documented for use in folk medicine for treating various health problems over thousands of years (Barceloux 2012).

Traditional uses include treatment for conditions such as coughs, headaches and migraines, worm infestation, to bring on menstruation, menstrual pain, ear and facial pain, arthritis, psoriasis, fever, asthma, constipation, dermatitis, earache and more (Mills & Bone 2000, p. 385; Pareek, Suthar, Rathore, & Bansal 2011). A review of historical and current literature suggests feverfew has both traditional and scientific evidence showing support for success in treatment for some of these health problems.

First of all, there seems be some confusion over the origin of the name feverfew. It is documented in some texts (Brown 2003; Foster 1996) that the name came from Febrifugia (Latin for driver out of fevers) and was used to treat fevers but Castleman (2001) states that 'the plant was never called febrifugia and was known to the ancient Greeks as "Parthenion" as it had been used to successfully treat someone who had fallen and almost died from the Parthenon in 5th century BC. These ancient Greek physicians used the plant for assistance with womens health and menstrual issues along with a few other problems, but not fever. As the name parthenion faded out and was forgotten the plant was renamed 'featherfoil' because of the leaves. This name then developed into 'featherfew' and eventually feverfew, which sparked the belief of its usage to treat fever (Castleman 2001). This could be a common issue with ancient documents and details being lost in translation.

Previous to the 1980's little or no scientific evidence can be found on the effectiveness of feverfew however there is an abundance of traditional documentation dating back as early as 5th century BC (Castleman 2001). The long list of uses for feverfew has been built on, shortened and changed over thousands of years. Over time, the following physicians noted below (Culpeper 1653; Foster 1996; Hill 1772), have all recorded comparable statements of the efficacy of feverfew including but not limited to headaches, migraines and menstrual problems.

In 1653 the English herbalist Nicholas Culpeper described feverfew as 'a general strengthener of the womb'. He also prescribed it for headaches among other things stating 'It is very effective for all pains in the head: as also for vertigo' (Culpeper 1653, p.194). Thomas Johnson in 1633 also made note in the updated edition of Gerards Herbal that it helps with vertigo (Foster 1996).

John Goodyer (Foster 1996) translated Dioscorides' materia medica in 1665 which was written in about 65AD. Dioscorides use the plant for headaches