Feverfew Benefits, Uses, Side Effects and Preparation Methods

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is a aromatic perennial herb in the Asteraceae family that is native to Southeastern Europe and Western Asia. It is traditionally valued for leaves and flowering tops and is known for an aromatic flowering herb traditionally grown in cottage gardens and herb plots.

Traditionally, feverfew has been used in teas, tinctures, and fresh leaf preparations in European herbal practice. It has long been kept in herb gardens as a domestic medicinal plant and is often mentioned in older household herbals.

The plant resembles a small daisy and can self-seed freely in garden beds. Its leaves are strongly aromatic and distinctly bitter.

Botanical Overview

Botanical name: Tanacetum parthenium
Family: Asteraceae
Plant type: Aromatic perennial herb
Native region: Southeastern Europe and Western Asia
Common names: Featherfew, bachelor’s buttons, altamisa

Traditional & Common Uses

Feverfew has traditionally been used to support:

Traditional garden herb use
Bitter herbal teas
Household tinctures
Women’s herbal traditions
Old European preparations

Historically, feverfew was often planted near homes and monasteries as a familiar medicinal herb. Its longstanding presence in herb gardens helped maintain its reputation in household traditions.

“Feverfew was long kept near the house as a familiar garden herb of traditional household use.”

— Traditional European herbal reference

Preparation Methods

Feverfew can be prepared in several traditional ways:

Tea

Fresh or dried feverfew leaves and flowering tops may be infused in hot water.

Part of the plant used: Leaves and flowering tops

Tincture

The fresh or dried herb may be macerated in alcohol to make a traditional tincture.

Part of the plant used: Leaves and flowering tops

Capsule

Dried feverfew may be powdered for use in capsule form.

Part of the plant used: Leaves and flowering tops

Fresh Leaf Use

Some older traditions refer to fresh leaf use, although the taste is bitter and the herb may irritate the mouth.

Part of the plant used: Leaves

Growing Feverfew

Feverfew is an easy-to-grow aromatic perennial or short-lived perennial herb often cultivated in herb gardens. It adapts well to many parts of the United States and may self-seed.

Prefers full sun to partial shade
Grows best in average, well-drained soil
Needs moderate water and tolerates ordinary garden conditions
Hardy in USDA zones 5–9 and widely grown in temperate regions of the United States

Feverfew may self-seed readily and can behave a little weedy in some gardens. Deadheading will help control seed spread if needed.

Safety Considerations

This herb has a long history of traditional use, however some individuals may be sensitive to the fresh plant or concentrated preparations.

However:

Fresh feverfew leaves may irritate the mouth in some individuals, causing soreness or a tingling sensation.
Individuals sensitive to plants in the Asteraceae family, including ragweed and daisies, should use caution.
Feverfew may influence blood clotting and could interact with anticoagulant medications.
Stopping concentrated feverfew products suddenly after regular use may not suit all individuals.
Pregnant individuals should avoid internal use unless advised by a qualified healthcare professional.
Always consult a qualified professional before using herbs for health purposes.

This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.

The plant resembles a small daisy and can self-seed freely in garden beds. Its leaves are strongly aromatic and distinctly bitter.

Traditional & Common Uses

Feverfew has traditionally been used to support:

Traditional garden herb use
Bitter herbal teas
Household tinctures
Women’s herbal traditions
Old European preparations

Historically, feverfew was often planted near homes and monasteries as a familiar medicinal herb. Its longstanding presence in herb gardens helped maintain its reputation in household traditions.

“Feverfew was long kept near the house as a familiar garden herb of traditional household use.”

— Traditional European herbal reference

Preparation Methods

Feverfew can be prepared in several traditional ways:

Tea

Fresh or dried feverfew leaves and flowering tops may be infused in hot water.

Part of the plant used: Leaves and flowering tops

Tincture

The fresh or dried herb may be macerated in alcohol to make a traditional tincture.

Part of the plant used: Leaves and flowering tops

Capsule

Dried feverfew may be powdered for use in capsule form.

Part of the plant used: Leaves and flowering tops

Fresh Leaf Use

Some older traditions refer to fresh leaf use, although the taste is bitter and the herb may irritate the mouth.

Part of the plant used: Leaves

Growing Feverfew

Feverfew is an easy-to-grow aromatic perennial or short-lived perennial herb often cultivated in herb gardens. It adapts well to many parts of the United States and may self-seed.

Prefers full sun to partial shade
Grows best in average, well-drained soil
Needs moderate water and tolerates ordinary garden conditions
Hardy in USDA zones 5–9 and widely grown in temperate regions of the United States

Feverfew may self-seed readily and can behave a little weedy in some gardens. Deadheading will help control seed spread if needed.

Safety Considerations

This herb has a long history of traditional use, however some individuals may be sensitive to the fresh plant or concentrated preparations.

However:

Fresh feverfew leaves may irritate the mouth in some individuals, causing soreness or a tingling sensation.
Individuals sensitive to plants in the Asteraceae family, including ragweed and daisies, should use caution.
Feverfew may influence blood clotting and could interact with anticoagulant medications.
Stopping concentrated feverfew products suddenly after regular use may not suit all individuals.
Pregnant individuals should avoid internal use unless advised by a qualified healthcare professional.
Always consult a qualified professional before using herbs for health purposes.

This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is feverfew traditionally used for?

Feverfew is traditionally used in teas, tinctures, and old household herb preparations. It has long been grown in herb gardens and appears frequently in European herbal traditions.

What part of feverfew is used?

The leaves and flowering tops are the main parts used. Some traditional references also mention fresh leaf use, although the herb is bitter and can irritate the mouth.

Is feverfew related to chamomile?

Yes. Feverfew and chamomile both belong to the Asteraceae family and are part of the wider daisy group of aromatic flowering herbs.

Can feverfew grow in the United States?

Yes. Feverfew grows well in many temperate parts of the United States and is commonly grown in USDA zones 5–9.

Does feverfew self-seed?

Yes. Feverfew can self-seed readily in garden beds and may spread if spent flowers are left in place.

Are there safety concerns with feverfew?

Yes. Feverfew may irritate the mouth, may affect blood clotting, and may not be suitable during pregnancy or for people with daisy-family allergies.