Does Feverfew Work?

Although feverfew is commonly found in supplements used for migraine prevention, you may still wonder, "Does feverfew work?" Some studies have suggested that taking feverfew daily may reduce the frequency or severity of migraines, while other studies have failed to show any benefit. More research is necessary to confirm the effectiveness and safety of feverfew for migraine prevention.

 

Does Feverfew Work?

Feverfew is an herbal remedy that has been used for centuries to treat a wide variety of conditions. It is often claimed to help with the following conditions:
 
These are just some of the uses for feverfew. Some of these uses are more credible than others.
 

Studies on Feverfew

Feverfew may be effective for preventing migraine headaches. Some studies have suggested that taking the herbal supplement daily may reduce the frequency or severity of migraines, while other studies have failed to show any benefit. The differences between the studies may be due to differences in feverfew products. The content of feverfew (and the active compounds in it) can vary widely among feverfew products (and even among plants). More research is necessary to confirm the effectiveness and safety of feverfew for migraine prevention. Although some people take it to treat headaches, there is little research to support such use.
 
One study has suggested that feverfew is probably not effective for treating rheumatoid arthritis. For all other uses, there is not enough evidence to say either way if feverfew is effective or not.
 
Feverfew was once used to help prevent miscarriages. However, the herb may cause uterine contractions, which could increase the risk of premature labor or miscarriage. Feverfew should not be used during pregnancy (see Feverfew and Pregnancy).
 
(Does Feverfew Work? Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;