Always searching for a innate discussion to help alleviate pesky sick headache ? The answer may be found in feverfew , a plant with a famed history of soothe stubborn headaches .
An ancient medicinal , this perennial herb has made a resurgence inmodern herbaceous plant gardensfor its useful therapeutic properties , particularly as a migraine remedy , as well as for its attractive daisy - like bloom that conveniently repel pests .
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Read on to learn how to harvest and utilize feverfew .
What You’ll Learn
What Is Feverfew?
This tender perennial is a member or the aster kinfolk , though it is often grown as an annual in cooler climates . It has light green hairy leaves and dense clustering of daisy - comparable flowers at the tops of its stalks .
The lovely little flowerslook very like to chamomile rosiness , and the two are often confused .
To learn more about grow feverfew , check outthe full guide here .
History
Feverfew has a longsighted history of exercise in traditional and folks medicine for treatment of many ailment such as vexation , fevers , rheumatoid arthritis , joint nuisance , toothache , insect bite , and stomach aches .
Native to southeastern Europe , its use was far-flung among early European herbalist .
It was named “ parthenium ” – now part of its botanical nameTanacetum genus Parthenium – by ancient Greeks .
The name genus Parthenium is derived from either the Greek word παρθένος ( parthenos ) , meaning “ virtuous , ” or παρθένιον ( parthenion ) , an ancient name for a industrial plant .
As legend goes , the herbaceous plant was used to save the animation of someone who hadfallen from the Parthenon during its constructionin the fifth century BC .
In 1772 John Hill referred to feverfew in his book “ The Family Herbal . ” He described the plant as “ surpassing anything antecedently used against concern . ”
As a resultant of this , the herb come to be know as the aspirin of the 18th century .
Now widely cultivated throughout the worldly concern for its beauty as well as its medicinal properties , this beneficial herb is create a comeback !
Medicinal Use
Long used by herbalists and traditional healers as a therapeutic for migraine , the scientific community has see a late increase in enquiry to look into its effectiveness and usance as a treatment or preventative .
Caution
In some lawsuit , feverfew may cause side effects such as digestive botheration , heartburn , looseness , irregularity , nausea , asthma , lightheadedness , fatigue , and catamenial change .
fraught women should stave off taking feverfew , as it may cause early contraction . What ’s more , inquiry to ensure it ’s safe for breastfeeding womanhood is insufficient .
mass with allergies to ragweed or other related to plants from the Asteraceae or Compositae plant families — such as daisies , marigolds , and chrysanthemums — should obviate it . The combat-ready ingredient parthenolide can cause contact sensitized dermatitis in some hoi polloi when used on the skin . Consumption of the invigorated leafage and flowers may stimulate canker sores and swelling of the mouth in some mortal .
Consult your Dr. or healthcare professional before administering any herbal treatments , as herbal supplements may interact with certain medications and are not suitable for everyone .
The main combat-ready ingredient is parthenolide , which is ground in the leaves but not the stem , though it also contains flavonoids include luteolin , tanetin , santin , and jaceidin .
Several work have been conductedthat point to its effectiveness in reducing migraine frequency or duration – as opposed to an insistent cure – in affected role who regularly take a supplement comprise an extract of the active ingredient .
Health Canada recommends a daily dosage of 125 mg of dry folio containing at least 0.2 % parthenolide for the prevention of migraines . But obviously , in our own home we ’re not able-bodied to essay for the specific floor of active ingredients !
According to David Hoffman in his book “ Medical Herbalism : The Science Principles and Practices of Herbal Medicine , ” with chemical properties that may inhibit eicosanoides , white blood corpuscle , and platelet collection , feverfew may be used to prevent blood vessel constriction that can trigger migraines .
Medical Herbalism : The Science Principles and Practices of Herbal Medicine
If you ’re interested in reading more , you canfind this book on Amazon .
This remedy seems to be reliant on a accumulative , building event in help to foreclose sick headache .
According to Rosemary Gladstar in her Scripture “ Herbs for Stress and Anxiety,”available on Amazon , using Tanacetum parthenium is “ not a ‘ ready localization ’ ; it is more effective as a preventative than as a curative during the intense stage of the migraine . ”
She break on to say that good results are achieved in those who eat a few leave or take capsules daily , over a period of 3 - 4 weeks .
There have also beensome studiesdone looking into the anti - inflammatory property of this plant , though resultant role are as yet inconclusive .
The herbaceous plant also make an splendid natural louse repellent . Its strong and bitter scent employment wonders to keep undesirable bugs and biting insects such as mosquitoes out of the garden and off your tegument !
When to Harvest
Both the leaves and flowers can be harvested and used medicinally .
The ideal clip to reap is around the start of anthesis – generally in early to mid - summer – though the leaves can be glean any sentence throughout the time of year .
The plant has the highest levels of essential oils as it get to bloom , but before it ’s in full bloom of youth .
bloom should be harvest when the plant is in full bloom to maximise yields .
The seeds are not eatable , but you might like to harvest some to save for planting next year .
To do this , waitress until the plant has finished blossoming , and allow the seed heads to dry out . edit out the stalk and hang upside down in a paper cup of tea in a cool , dry location for a few days . sway the bag and separate out the bantam seeds .
How to Harvest
Plan to harvest on a quick , dry day .
Wait until mid - morning , after the dew has dry out off . Choose healthy foliage , discarding any parts that look damage or diseased .
Cut leaf and flowers cleanly with gardening shear or a piercing tongue , leaving the bottom two - third of the flora intact .
Be sure to pull up stakes some bloom and foliage behind – gather only about a third of the industrial plant at one time , so it can proceed grow . A few week later , you’re able to reap again .
This plant will continue to grow flowers from July to the end of September .
Preserving and Using Feverfew
This herb can be used fresh or dried . It can be brew as a tea , taken as a tincture , made into capsule , or used to make homemade insect repellent .
To air dry , tie several cut stalks into bundles and hang upside down in a wry , non-white place for up to a hebdomad .
you may also use a dehydrator or oven set at 140 ° fluorine .
Using a low heat will help to continue the of the essence oil – you want the leaves to be ironical and crumbly before you store them , but not so dry that they fall aside when you pick them up !
Once dry out , remove foliage and flush from the stalks and shop in a tightly sealed glass jar in a non-white pantry .
Find more info on dry out and stash away herbs in this pathfinder .
Use the dried leave and flowers to make a tea leaf to prevent headaches . The teatime can also be cooled and applied to the skin as an insect repellant , or used on pets as a innate flea rinse – provided , of line , that you ’re not allergic or sensitive to it . Always try on a small expanse of your skin before use , and confab with a medical professional person if you ’re in any doubt that it ’s safe for you to use .
Add about a poop of a cup of fresh leaves and flower – or 2 tablespoons dry out – to a cup of boiling water , tolerate to engross for five minutes , then strain and coolheaded .
Flying louse broadly hate the pungent smell of the growing plant , so if you’replagued by mosquitoestry planting in lot on your terrace – even the cut flower stem in a vase can deter fly ball .
Some migraine diseased person choose to eat up the leaves as a preventative treatment . I ’ve known of instance where gardener with inveterate hemicrania like to eat on a few leaf every day , disguised in a sandwich or salad to dissemble their sulphurous spirit .
It’s No Headache
This powerful herb is certainly a handy one to have on handwriting , especially as it is so easy to harvest and preserve . Whether for its medicinal value , dirt ball repellent properties , or intrinsic beauty , Chrysanthemum parthenium is a plant that is worth knowing how to grow , harvesting , and habituate .
If you ’re concerned in growing herbs in your garden , you ’ll necessitate these guides :
© require the Experts , LLC . ALL right RESERVED.See our TOSfor more particular . earlier published December 6th , 2019 . Last update May 17th , 2023 . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock . With additional committal to writing and editing by Clare Groom and Allison Sidhu .
The stave at Gardener ’s Path are not medical professionals and this clause should not be construed as medical advice intended to assess , diagnose , order , or forebode therapeutic . Gardener ’s Path and call for the Experts , LLC assume no financial obligation for the use or misuse of the fabric presented above . Always consult with a medical professional before change your diet or using industrial plant - free-base remedies or supplement for wellness and health .
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Heather Buckner
