Tanacetum parthenium
| Feverfew | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Tanacetum |
| Species: | T. parthenium
|
| Binomial name | |
| Tanacetum parthenium | |
| Synonyms | |
Tanacetum parthenium, known as feverfew,[1] is a flowering plant in the daisy family, Asteraceae. It may be grown as an ornament, and may be identified by its synonyms, Chrysanthemum parthenium and Pyrethrum parthenium. It is used in traditional medicine.
Description
[edit]The plant is a herbaceous perennial that grows into a small bush,[2] up to 70 cm (28 in) high, with pungently-scented leaves. The leaves are light yellowish green, variously pinnatifid. The conspicuous daisy-like flowers are up to 20 millimetres (3⁄4 in) across, borne in lax corymbs. The outer, ray florets have white ligules and the inner, disc florets are yellow and tubular. It spreads rapidly by seed, and will cover a wide area after a few years.[3][4] The plant produces achene fruit, and grows in stony slopes and river beds.[5]
Location and cultivation
[edit]Feverfew is native to Eurasia, specifically the Balkan Peninsula, Anatolia, and the Caucasus, but cultivation has spread it around the world and the rest of Europe, North America, and Chile.[2][6]
A perennial herb, it should be planted in full sun, 38 to 46 cm (15–18 in) apart, and cut back to the ground in the autumn. It grows up to 70 cm (28 in) tall. It is hardy to USDA zone 5 (−30 °C or −22 °F). Outside of its native range, it may become an invasive weed.[7]
Uses
[edit]
Phytochemicals and traditional medicine
[edit]Feverfew is a naturally occurring source of parthenolide, which has numerous verified and potential pharmacological uses and is approved as a migraine prophylactic[8]. It is also being investigated for use as a treatment for cocaine dependency[9] and anti-cancer agent[10].
Other phytochemicals found in Feverfew include camphor, luteolin, and apigenin.[11] Camphor has aromatic properties and has a number of industrial[12] and medicinal applications, including use as a topical anti-itch ointment[13]. Luteolin and apigenin are flavonoids.[11]
Feverfew has seen significant use historically and in traditional medicine, and is sometimes referred to as "Medieval Aspirin". It has numerous analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties[14]. There is mixed evidence on the efficacy of Feverfew for the prevention of migraines[15].
Feverfew is registered as a traditional herbal medicine in the Nordic countries under the brand name Glitinum. Only powdered feverfew is approved in the European Union herbal monograph.[16]
Dietary supplement
[edit]The parthenolide content of commercially available feverfew supplements varies substantially (by more than 40-fold) despite labeling claims of "standardization".[17]
Adverse effects
[edit]Long-term use of feverfew followed by abrupt discontinuation may induce a withdrawal syndrome featuring rebound headaches and muscle and joint pains.[18] Feverfew may cause allergic reactions in those allergic to the daisy family, including contact dermatitis or swelling and numbness of the mouth.[18] Other side effects have included gastrointestinal upset such as mild nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and flatulence, which are, fortunately mild and transient.[18] When the herb is chewed or taken orally it may cause mouth ulcers.[18] Feverfew should not be taken by pregnant women.[18] It may interact with blood thinners and increase the risk of bleeding, and also may interact with a variety of medications metabolized by the liver.[18]
History and etymology
[edit]The word feverfew derives from the Latin word febrifugia, meaning 'fever reducer',[19] although it no longer is considered useful for that purpose.
Although its earliest medicinal use is unknown, it was documented in the 1st century CE as an anti-inflammatory by the Greek herbalist physician Dioscorides.[20]
References
[edit]- ^ NRCS. "Tanacetum parthenium". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 8 December 2015.
- ^ a b National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, US National Institutes of Health. "Feverfew". Retrieved 1 December 2020.
- ^ Parnell, J. and Curtis. 2012. Webb's An Irish Flora. Cork University Press. ISBN 978-185918-4783
- ^ Clapham, A.R, Tutin, T.G. and Warburg, E.F. 1968. Excursion Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-04656-4
- ^ Izadi Z, Esna-Ashari M, Piri K, Davoodi P (2010). "Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) Essential Oil". International Journal of Agriculture & Biology: 459–463 – via CABI Digital Library.
- ^ Jeffrey C (2001). "Tanacetum parthenium". Mansfeld's World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops.
- ^ Hadjikyriakou G, Hadjisterkotis E (2002). "The adventive plants of Cyprus with new records of invasive species". Zeitschrift für Jagdwissenschaft. 48 (S1). Springer Science and Business Media: 59–71. Bibcode:2002ZJag...48...59H. doi:10.1007/bf02192393. ISSN 0044-2887. S2CID 42896188.
- ^ Agatonovic-Kustrin S, Morton DW (2018-01-01), Atta-ur-Rahman (ed.), Chapter 3 - The Current and Potential Therapeutic Uses of Parthenolide, Studies in Natural Products Chemistry, vol. 58, Elsevier, pp. 61–91, doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-64056-7.00003-9, ISBN 978-0-444-64056-7, retrieved 2025-05-14
- ^ Schwarz D, Bloom D, Castro R, R Pagan O, A Jimenez-Rivera C (2011-03-01). "Parthenolide Blocks Cocaine's Effect on Spontaneous Firing Activity of Dopaminergic Neurons in the Ventral Tegmental Area". Current Neuropharmacology. 9 (1): 17–20. doi:10.2174/157015911795017010. PMC 3137176.
- ^ Orofino Kreuger MR, Grootjans S, Biavatti MW, Vandenabeele P, D'Herde K (October 2012). "Sesquiterpene lactones as drugs with multiple targets in cancer treatment: focus on parthenolide". Anti-Cancer Drugs. 23 (9): 883. doi:10.1097/CAD.0b013e328356cad9. ISSN 0959-4973. PMID 22797176.
- ^ a b Wu C, Chen F, Wang X, Kim HJ, He Gq, Haley-Zitlin V, Huang G (May 2006). "Antioxidant constituents in feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) extract and their chromatographic quantification". Food Chemistry. 96 (2): 220–227. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2005.02.024.
- ^ Anjaneyulu B, Sangeeta, Saini N (2021-06-01). "A Study on Camphor Derivatives and Its Applications: A Review". Current Organic Chemistry. 25 (12): 1404–1428. doi:10.2174/1385272825666210608115750.
- ^ "Camphor Cream and Ointment Information". Drugs.com. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ Pareek A, Suthar M, Rathore GS, Bansal V (January 2011). "Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.): A systematic review". Pharmacognosy Reviews. 5 (9): 103–110. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.79105. ISSN 0976-2787. PMC 3210009. PMID 22096324.
- ^ Wider B, Pittler MH, Ernst E (2015). "Feverfew for preventing migraine". Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2020 (4). doi:10.1002/14651858.cd002286.pub3. ISSN 1465-1858. PMID 25892430. Archived from the original on 2024-09-12.
- ^ "Tanaceti parthenii herba". European Medicines Agency. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
- ^ Draves AH, Walker SE (2004). "Parthenolide content of Canadian commercial feverfew preparations: Label claims are misleading in most cases" (PDF). Canadian Pharmacists Journal. 136 (10): 23–30. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-04-20.
- ^ a b c d e f "Feverfew". Drugs.com. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ^ "Feverfew". University of Maryland. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
- ^ "Agricultural (Herbs and Spices): Feverfew Information". Government of Saskatchewan. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
External links
[edit]
- Feverfew information from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
- Feverfew in A Modern Herbal
- "feverfew: Tanacetum parthenium (Asterales: Asteraceae): Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States". Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas. Retrieved 2020-11-21.
- "feverfew, Tanacetum parthenium Asterales: Asteraceae". Invasive.Org. Retrieved 2020-11-21.