Feverfew 

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb feverfew—common 

names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. 

Originally a plant native to the Balkan mountains of Eastern Europe, feverfew— 

a short bush with daisy-like flowers—now grows throughout Europe, North 

America, and South America. 

Common Names—feverfew, bachelor’s buttons, featherfew 

Latin Names—Tanacetum parthenium, Chrysanthemum parthenium 

What It Is Used For 

•	 Feverfew has been used for centuries for fevers, headaches, stomach aches, 

toothaches, insect bites, infertility, and problems with menstruation and 

with labor during childbirth. 

•	 Recently, feverfew has been used for migraine headaches and 

rheumatoid arthritis. 

•	 Feverfew has also been used for psoriasis, allergies, asthma, tinnitus (ringing 

or roaring sounds in the ears), dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. 

How It Is Used 

•	 The dried leaves—and sometimes flowers and stems—of feverfew are used 

to make supplements, including capsules, tablets, and liquid extracts. 

•	 The leaves are sometimes eaten fresh. 

What the Science Says 

•	 Some research suggests that feverfew may be helpful in preventing migraine 

headaches; however, results have been mixed and more evidence is needed 

from well-designed studies. 

•	 One study found that feverfew did not reduce rheumatoid arthritis 

symptoms in women whose symptoms did not respond to conventional 

medicines. It has been suggested that feverfew could help those with 

milder symptoms. 

•	 There is not enough evidence available to assess whether feverfew is 

beneficial for other uses. 

•	 NCCAM-funded researchers are studying ways to standardize feverfew; that 

is, to prepare it in a consistent manner. Standardized preparations could be 

used in future studies of feverfew for migraines. 
 

Side Effects and Cautions 

•	 No serious side effects have been reported for feverfew. Side effects can include canker 

sores, swelling and irritation of the lips and tongue, and loss of taste. 

•	 Less common side effects can include nausea, digestive problems, and bloating. 

•	 People who take feverfew for a long time and then stop taking it may have headaches, 

nervousness, difficulty sleeping, stiff muscles, and joint pain. 

•	 Women who are pregnant should not use feverfew because it may cause the uterus to 

contract, increasing the risk of miscarriage or premature delivery. 

•	 People can have allergic reactions to feverfew. Those who are allergic to other members of 

the daisy family (which includes ragweed and chrysanthemums) are more likely to be 

allergic to feverfew. 

•	 Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you 

use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure 

coordinated and safe care. 

Sources 

Awang DVC, Leung AY. Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium). In: Coates P, Blackman M, Cragg G, et al., eds. Encyclopedia of 

Dietary Supplements. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker; 2005:211-217. 

Feverfew. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturaldatabase.com on 

July 5, 2007. 

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L. Schultz-Bip.). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.natural 

standard.com on July 3, 2007. 

For More Information 

Visit the NCCAM Web site at nccam.nih.gov and view: 

•	 What’s in the Bottle? An Introduction to Dietary Supplements at nccam.nih.gov/health/bottle/ 

•	 Herbal Supplements: Consider Safety, Too at nccam.nih.gov/health/supplement-safety/ 

NCCAM Clearinghouse 

Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226 

TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615 

E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov 

CAM on PubMed 

Web site: nccam.nih.gov/camonpubmed/ 

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements 

Web site: www.ods.od.nih.gov 

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged. 

NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute 

for the medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage 

you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The 

mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM. 

National Institutes of Health 

♦♦♦

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

D342 

Created December 2006 

Updated April 2008 

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