Dealing With Headaches

From the “What’s Old is New Again” Department: More and more people are rediscovering the benefits of natural remedies. They are especially looking for remedies with few side effects. All medicinal herbs are medicines and need to be treated with the same ammount of respect you would any medicine. In fact, many modern medicines were derived from plant and herb remedies, including digitalis (from foxglove) and aspirin (from willow bark and spices like tumeric). For prevention of migraines with auras, patients and healers are looking at a modest little flower called feverfew.

There’s A Reason For The Name

Feverfew is the most common folk name for Tanecetum parthenium. It’s other folk names include bride’s button, featherfew, featherfoil, febrifuge, motherherb, wild quinine, nosebleed (!) and wild chamomile. It’s in the daisy family, so if you are allergic to ragweed (the black sheep of the daisy family), stay away from both feverfew and any kind of chamomile, wild or not-so-wild. Pregnant women should stay away from feverfew, too, as it has been known to stimulate the uterus.

From folk names, we can pretty much figure out what a plant was used for. Feverfew was used as a painkiller, a fever reducer, help for menstrual cramps and arthritis. Usually the flowers were used — fresh or dried. You can find feverfew in capsule form today.

In order to prevent migraines, you need to take a few capsules a day. It’s no good once a migraine or an aura starts. The ingredient thought to help prevent migraines is called “parthinolide”, thought to help regulate the blood vessels in the brain. Although causes of migraines is unknown, one of the theories is that dilation and constriction of the blood vessels may contribute to the pain. Another theory is that the brain’s serotonin levels is the main culprit. Yet another theory is that BOTH seronin and blood vessels in the head are responsible. It is thought 250 mg of parthinolide daily can help lessen the severity and frequency of migraines with auras.

Any Proof?

Two clinical trials were held in the UK in the 1980’s about feverfew (taken fresh or dried) one to six times a day as migraine prevention, where a large percentage of the volunteers reported significant relief from the frequency and severity of their migraines. Another two were done over the years, with similar results. An evaluation was made in 2003 that cited all of the clinical trials findings and recommended feverfew as one of many options in helping to prevent migraines. However, in all totlat, less than 400 people were tested, so the studies are not considered “scientific” enough to warrant be taken very seriously. You need to take feverfew for a month at least before you start getting any of the benefits.

In Canada, feverfew capsules are classified as drugs and not herbal supplements. You need to talk to your doctor before taking feverfew — or ANY herbal supplement in such large doses. If you start getting strange side effects like mouth sores, nausea or hives, call your doctor. These side effects are reversable.

It’s always good to know that there are options if conventional medicines don’t work for you. Hope this helps.