Feverfew 

© Steven Foster

This fact sheet provides basic information about feverfew—common 

names, what the science says, potential side effects and cautions, and 

resources for more information.

Common Names—feverfew, bachelor’s buttons, featherfew

Latin Names—Tanacetum parthenium, Chrysanthemum parthenium

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. For centuries, traditional 

uses of feverfew have included fevers, headaches, stomach aches, 

toothaches, insect bites, infertility, and problems with menstruation 

and with labor during childbirth. Newer folk or traditional uses for 

feverfew include migraine headaches, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, 

allergies, asthma, tinnitus (ringing or roaring sounds in the ears), 

dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.

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 have studied ways to standardize 

feverfew; that is, to prepare it in a consistent manner. Standardized 

preparations can be used in future studies of feverfew.
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 difficulty 

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

• 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 all your health care providers about any complementary health practices you use. Give 

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

coordinated and safe care. For tips about talking with your health care providers about 

complementary and alternative medicine, see NCCAM’s Time to Talk campaign at 

nccam.nih.gov/timetotalk/. 

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 www.naturaldatabase.com on June 4, 2009.

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L. Schultz-Bip.). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at 

www.naturalstandard.com on June 4, 2009.

For More Information

Visit the NCCAM Web site at nccam.nih.gov and view Using Dietary Supplements Wisely

(nccam.nih.gov/health/supplements/wiseuse.htm).

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

PubMed®

Web site: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements

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

NIH National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus

Feverfew Listing: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/933.html

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 2012