Drug Nomenclature

Synonyms: Őszi margitvirág; Camomille (Grande); Matricaria; Mattram; Nať kopretiny řimbaby; Reunuspäivänkakkara; Tanaceti Parthenii Herba; Vaistinių skaistenių žolė

Pharmacopoeias. In Europe and in US. US also describes Powdered Feverfew.

European Pharmacopoeia, 6th ed., 2008 and Supplements 6.1 and 6.2 (Feverfew). The dried, whole or fragmented aerial parts of Tanacetum parthenium. It contains not less than 0.2% of parthenolide (C₁₅H₂₀O₃ =248.3), calculated with reference to the dried drug. It has a camphoraceous odour. Protect from light

The United States Pharmacopeia 31, 2008, and Supplements 1 and 2 (Feverfew). It consists of the dried leaves of Tanacetum parthenium (Asteraceae), collected when the plant is in flower. Store in a dry place. Protect from light.

Adverse Effects and Precautions

Mouth ulceration and soreness have been reported following ingestion of feverfew, and may be due to sensitisation; if they occur feverfew should be withdrawn. Contact dermatitis has been reported. Feverfew is reputed to have abortifacient properties and it is suggested that preparations should not be used in pregnancy.

Effects on the blood. There have been suggestions that feverfew may increase the risk of bleeding during surgery or in patients taking anticoagulants. However, although inhibition of platelet aggregation has been reported in vitro or in animals a review of clinical studies noted that feverfew did not appear to affect haematological safety parameters.

Interactions

It has been suggested that feverfew may enhance the effects of anticoagulants (but see Effects on the Blood, above).

Uses and Administration

Feverfew consists of the dried leaves of the plant Tanacetum parthenium (Asteraceae). It is a traditional herbal remedy used in the prophylaxis of migraine. Its effects have been attributed to the plant’s content of sesquiterpene lactones, notably parthenolide. A preparation of the dried leaf powder, which has been standardised to provide a minimum of 0.2% parthenolide, is available in some countries. A suggested oral dose is 250 mg daily; a lower dose of 100 mg daily has also been given..

Migraine. Feverfew is a traditional herbal remedy used in the prophylaxis of migraine. Studies of standardised preparations of the freeze-dried powdered leaf have produced variable results in preventing or ameliorating migraine attacks, and systematic reviews suggest that its effectiveness in preventing migraine remains to be established.

Rheumatoid arthritis. Feverfew has been used as a herbal medicine for the treatment of arthritis but although it has anti-inflammatory activity in vitro, a clinical trial found it to be ineffective in rheumatoid arthritis.

Preparations

Single-ingredient Preparations

Australia: Herbal Headache Relief; Brazil: Tanaceto; Tenliv; Canada: Tanacet; Switzerland: Partenelle; United Kingdom: Tanacet

Multi-ingredient Preparations

Australia: Albizia Complex; Extralife Arthri-Care; Extralife Migrai-Care; Guaiacum Complex; Germany: Presselin Stoffwechseltee

Related posts:

1. BLACK COHOSH Botanical name: Actaea racemosa syn. Cimicifuga racemosa Family name: Ranunculaceae Synonyms: Black bugbane; Black snakeroot Part used: Root, rhizome Black cohosh has gone through numerous taxonomic reclassifications, and until recently has been listed as Cimicifuga racemosa. As of 2002 it was reclassified and renamed Actaea racemosa. Black cohosh is of a different genus than blue...
2. UVA URSI Botanical name: Arctostaphylos uva ursi Family: Ericaceae Synonyms: Bearberry, Kinnikinnik Part used: Dried leaf MAJOR CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS The primary medicinally active constituent is arbutin, a phenolic glycoside that generates hydroquinone as a result of glycolysis. Tannins, and flavonoids are also present. A small amount of free hydroquinone is found in the leaves. P-coumaric acid and...
3. RED CLOVER Botanical name: Trifolium pratense Family name: Leguminosae Synonyms: Meadow clover, purple clover, trefoil Part used: Flowering tops and leaf MAJOR CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS Isoflavondoids including biochanin A, daidzein, formo-nonetin, genistein, and others; flavonoids including kaempferol, quercetin and others; coumarins; carbohydrates, saponins, salicylic acid, and trace vitamins and minerals. PRINCIPAL USES • Prevention and treatment of menopausal...
4. ST. JOHN’S WORT Botanical name: Hypercium perforation Family name: Clusiacaea Synonyms: St. Joan’s wort Part used: Flowers, upper 6 to 8 inches of the aerial portion of the herb, including leaf and flower MAJOR CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS Hypericin, pseudohypericin, isohypericin, hyperforin; flavonols including kaempferol and quercetin; flavones, glycosides, bioflavonoids, catechins; phenols including caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and...