Feverfew and Migraines

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Many people have found a new method of relief for their migraine headache pain.  After trying all the medications at their local drug store and even finding that prescription drugs won’t do the trick, an ever-growing number of migraine sufferers are turning to an older remedy: Feverfew.

Feverfew is the common name for Tanacetum parthenium, an herb related to the chrysanthemum.  It is also known as Bachelor’s Button.   As a medicine, it’s use can be traced at least as far back as the Dark Ages, and we’re not just talking about the time before little pills in hard to open bottles.  During the Middle Ages Feverfew was not only believed to help but also used to help treat various ailments, including fever reduction and, yes, headaches.

As with much folk remedies, especially folk remedies utilizing herbs, recent research has supported the effectiveness of using Feverfew as a migraine remedy.  The scientific basis for this effectiveness lies in Feverfew’s chemical makeup.  Feverfew contains parthenolide, which is a substance that affects the levels of serotonin.  Serotonin is a major player in the development of migraines; it’s a neurotransmitter, which is a  chemical by which neurons communicate with one another.  One of serotonin\'s functions is to modulate pain by blocking out nerve signals and enabling one to concentrate. During migraine attacks the level of serotonin is lowered, meaning that nerve signals aren’t as effectively block.   Many migraine medications essentially work by substituting its ingredients for the missing serotonin.

Parthenolide works against migraines by inhibiting the production of certain proteins in the body called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins contribute to inflammation, which is the actual cause of head pain brought on my migraines.   Feverfew helps with reducing inflammatory reactions, and parthenolide also help by determining the amount of blood to be delivered to specific  tissues.  The significance of this lies in the fact that migraine headaches are linked to the narrowing and widening of cranial blood vessels.  It is the dilation of the blood vessels that produces the pressure, which causes the pounding headache that migraine sufferers must live with.  Must live with at least until relief is finally found, that. Parthenolide actually works in conjunction with other active ingredients in Feverfew to  regulate those serotonin levels in the brain.

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Several studies have been conducted to determine whether Feverfew actually is effective in treating.  Frankly, the jury is still out as the control process has been questioned, but nonetheless the evidence does point toward the product helping many people.  Unfortunately, Feverfew has be determined to be almost completely ineffective in relieving a headache that has already begun; in order for this to work you must take it in a preventative manner.  As a supplement that you can take to prevent headaches, Feverfew is made from flowers that are harvested only when the plant is at its most Parthenolide-rich content. 

In choosing Feverfew to treat migraines, you actually have a little bit of choice.  While the majority of migraine sufferers choose to ingest Feverfew in either capsule or tablet, it is also available other forms.  Most stay away from the tea and tincture delivery method because both of these can be quite bitter.   You can also choose to go straight to the source and chew the leaves, but many people discover this method irritate the mouth.  The freeze-dried form of Feverfew has been the most deeply studied in regard to its  migraine-preventive actions. Anecdotal evidence points to Feverfew in extracted forms not being as effective.  

Feverfew has been found to be safe on the whole, though it can cause an upset stomach.  In addition, if you allergic or sensitive to ragweed or chrysanthemums, you may want to stay away as it can cause reactions.   Those who have any bleeding disorders or are taking blood-clotting medications should also check with a doctor before taking it. 

Feverfew won’t produce immediate results.  Before you can adequately determine whether or not Feverfew is effective in preventing your migraines, you should take it regularly for at least a few weeks.   Also, once you’ve begun taking Feverfew, do not suddenly stop as your headaches may recur. 

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