Herbs & Herbal Remedies @ Green Papaya

In the late 1970s a happy accident occurred that made earlier observations about feverfew’s benefit for “pains in the head” appear prophetic.

Migraine Headaches - The wife of the chief medical officer of Britain’s National Coal Board suffered chronic migraines. A miner heard about her problem and told her he’d also been a longtime migraine sufferer-until he started chewing a few feverfew leaves every day. The woman tried the herb, noticed immediate improvement, and after 14 months was free of her searing headaches.

Her husband brought his wife’s experience to the attention of Dr. E. Stewart Johnson of the City of London Migraine Clinic. Dr. Johnson gave feverfew leaves to ten of his patients. Three pronounced themselves cured, and the other seven reported significant improvement.

Dr. Johnson then gave feverfew to 270 of his migraine patients, then surveyed their experiences. Seventy percent reported significant relief-and for many, standard medical treatment had provided no relief at all.

Next, Dr. Johnson arranged a scientifically rigorous trial.

Some participants took feverfew. Others took a look-alike placebo. And neither the researchers nor the subjects knew who got what until the end of the trial period. Feverfew significantly outperformed the placebo.

Soon after, the results of an even more rigorous experiment were published in the British medical journal Lancet. Seventy-two migraine sufferers were randomly assigned to receive either a look-alike placebo or a capsule a day of powdered, freeze-dried feverfew (the equivalent of two medium-size leaves). Neither the volunteers nor the researchers knew who got what, and after two months, the groups were switched, so the initial placebo-takers tried the feverfew and vice versa. The results were striking: Feverfew cut migraines 24 percent, and the headaches the herb-takers experienced were comparatively mild, with significantly less nausea and vomiting.

High Blood Pressure - The feverfew/migraine studies also showed the herb may reduce blood pressure. High blood pressure is a serious condition that requires professional care, but there’s no harm in taking feverfew in addition to standard medical treatment.

Digestive Aid - Like its close botanical relative, chamomile, feverfew contains chemicals that may calm the smooth muscles of the digestive tract, making it an antispasmodic. Try feverfew after meals.

Women’s Health - Antispasmodic herbs soothe not only the digestive tract but other smooth muscles, such as the uterus, as well. In addition, part of the reason feverfew prevents migraines is possibly its ability to neutralize certain substances in the body (prostaglandins) linked to pain and inflammation. Prostaglandins also playa role in menstrual cramps. Feverfew’s possible antispasmodic and antiprostaglandin actions support its traditional use in treating menstrual discomforts.

Intriguing Possibilities - One animal study suggests feverfew has a mild tranquilizing effect. Taken before bedtime, it just might help bring on sleep.

Another report suggests tumor-fighting properties. It’s much too early to call feverfew a cancer treatment, but one day it might be.

Rx for Feverfew

For migraine control, chew two fresh (or frozen) leaves a day, or take a pill or capsule containing 85 milligrams of leaf material. Feverfew is quite bitter. Most people prefer the pills or capsules to chewing the leaves. If feverfew capsules do not provide benefit after a few weeks, don’t give up on the herb without changing brands. A report in Lancet showed some “feverfew” pills and capsules contain only trace amounts of the herb.

Take feverfew in the form of an infusion to enjoy its other possible Healing benefits: to help lower blood pressure, as a digestive aid, or to help bring on menstruation.

For an infusion, use ½ to 1 teaspoon per cup of boiling water. Steep 5 to 10 minutes. Drink up to 2 cups a day.

Do not give feverfew to children under age 2. For older children and people over 65, start with low-strength preparations and increase strength if necessary.