Feverfew

Authors: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer, Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles

Last updated on: 03.08.2023

Synonym(s)

Feverfew; Tanacetum parthenium

Ingredients
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Motherwort is a perennial, between 30 and 80 cm high, belonging to the composite plants. The stems are grooved, branched in the upper part and hairless or hairy, broad, ovate, pinnate leaves and white-yellow flowers. Flowering time is from June to August. The plant is characterized by a camomile-like aromatic odor, but tastes bitter. Motherwort contains essential oil, camphor, camphene, cymene, germacene, linalool, borneol, flavonoids, polyynes. Sesquiterpene lactones are mainly responsible for the therapeutic effect. Phytotherapeutic use is the herb harvested at flowering time(Tanaceti parthenii herba), both leaves, stems and flowers.

Quality is specified in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).

HMPC monograph: Traditional-use: Prophylaxis of migraine headache after exclusion of organic causes.

ESCOP monograph: Prophylaxis of migraine attacks

Commission E-monograph: not edited

Occurrence
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Asia Minor, South-East Europe. Cultivated for medical purposes in Central Europe since the Middle Ages.

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Dermatology

Airborne contact dermatitis

Allergic contact dermatitis (aerogenic allergic contact dermatitis) caused by airborne components of plants...

Field of application/use
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In folk medicine until the end of the 19th century used as a medicinal plant, especially for women's ailments, also to relieve flatulence, colic, pain and swelling. Since the 18th century, motherwort was used to treat headaches, toothaches, rheumatoid arthritis, migraines and "women's ailments", hence the name motherwort.

According to EMA for prophylaxis of migraine attacks: single dose: 100 mg herbal powder once a day, if necessary, slowly increase up to 200 mg powder herbal substance three times a day daily dose: 100 mg-600 mg.

Undesirable effects
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Major contact allergen is the sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide. Sensitization potency: Strong. Sensitization frequency: Occasional. Cross-reactivity exists to related composite species such as chrysanthemum, tansy, daisy, yarrow and sunflower as well as laurel and frullania.

May alter bleeding time, do not combine with warfarin sodium!

Clinical picture
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Feverfew is considered to be a major cause of airborne contact dermatitis. Reacts most frequently of all species in routine testing of composite mixes in the presence of an asteroid allergy.

Contraindication
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Children and adolescents under 18 years of age, pregnancy and lactation; allergy to any of the ingredients, allergy to daisy. Combination with warfarin sodium due to altered bleeding time.