|
No
pun intended, feverfew is hot. While this daisy-like flower has enjoyed
a long historical legacy as an herb of healing, for the last twenty years
it has been gaining growing acclaim in medical circles. This is due to
the impressive clinical research results and the countless personal testimonials
that have supported its efficacy as a migraine headache remedy.
To
gain further appreciation of its health benefits, it is possible to study
feverfew (as well as other herbs, nutrients and foods) through the lens
of herbal astrology. Through this periscope, we can further ignite our understanding
of the ways in which feverfew may serve to protect health and well-being.
Feverfew
is Linked to the Planet Venus
Feverfew
is associated with Venus, the planet that is in turn linked to the signs
Taurus and Libra. Like its goddess namesake, the planet Venus mirrors
the qualities of love and beauty. Venus is a feminine energy that defines
what you find attractive in the external world, as these outer manifestations
serve as telling reflections of your inner essence. In
medical astrology, Venus is also linked to the venous portion
of the circulatory system, the throat, the kidneys and understandably,
the female reproductive organs.
As
a quintessential Venusian herb, feverfew was traditionally used to reaffirm
the harmony of health, especially in women. It was used to help counteract
painful menstrual cramps, relieve sluggish menstrual flow and help expel
the placenta after childbirth. While its other uses included balancing
high fevers and digestive function, it is its role as a migraine remedy
that has attained it modern day status in our herbal medicine chests.
Venus
and Migraine Headaches
It
does not seem surprising that Venus-linked feverfew benefits migraines,
as these headaches themselves express some Venusian qualities. Migraines
are more commonly experienced by women than by men, and women are more
likely to get migraines during their menstrual cycle. For many people,
migraines are exacerbated by the intake of certain Venusian foods of pleasure,
including red wine, chocolate and aged cheese.
Migraine
headaches are thought to be caused by excessive dilation of blood vessels
in the brain. Yet, researchers have not concluded exactly how and why
this occurs, and therefore migraines retain an aura of some mystery (just
like Venus and women, some people say).
Feverfew
and Migraine Headaches
While
feverfew was used as a folklore remedy for headaches, it was not until
the late 1970s that it began to attract the attention of the medical world.
Subsequently, clinical investigations, including two well-noted, double
blind, placebo-controlled studies, provided strong evidence that feverfew
was effective in reducing the severity and number of migraine headache
attacks.
One
way that feverfew beneficially affects migraines is through its ability
to inhibit both the aggregation (clumping together) of platelets, and
the platelets’ release of the compound serotonin. Serotonin is thought
to be a key chemical signal in the precipitation of migraine headaches.
It causes the blood vessels to first constrict and then to subsequently
dilate. The expansion of the blood vessels exerts pressure on the surrounding
nerves, which causes many of the symptoms experienced during a migraine
headache.
Researchers
also believe that another mechanism by which feverfew may treat and prevent
migraines is through its ability to inhibit prostaglandins, compounds
in our bodies that trigger inflammation. It is because of its anti-inflammatory
nature that researchers suspect feverfew to be able to help in other inflammatory
conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (although clinical research trials
to date have not confirmed this assumption).
How
to Use Feverfew
Feverfew
herbal preparations are made from the plant’s leaves. Feverfew is typically
taken in a capsule, tincture, tea or fresh leaf form.
The
phytochemial parthenolide is thought to be the main active ingredient
in feverfew. Therefore, commonly noted feverfew dosage recommendations
focus on the level of parthenolide content. Many nutritionally-oriented
healthcare professionals recommend a daily dosage of 0.25-0.5 mg parthenolide
for migraine headache prevention. Higher doses of feverfew are often suggested
in the treatment of a migraine headache attack. If you are using a standardized
extract, you can calculate the parthenolide content by multiplying the
total milligrams of feverfew leaf by the percentage of parthenolide content.
The typical daily recommendation for fresh feverfew is one to three leaves.
Like
most herbal remedies, feverfew is neither a short-term approach nor an
immediate cure. While actual results will vary depending upon the individual,
clinical evidence seems to suggest that people may experience an initial
response of mediation in migraine severity and frequency in four to six
weeks.
Pregnant
or lactating women should not use feverfew. Additionally, those who exhibit
allergic or sensitivity reactions to other members of the Asteracea
family (including ragweed, chamomile and yarrow) may want to avoid feverfew.
It
is important to always consult a licensed healthcare provider if you are
thinking of using feverfew or other dietary supplements to treat any health
condition. Additionally, you should tell your healthcare provider about
all of the dietary supplements that you are taking so that s/he can evaluate
any potential drug-supplement interactions.
Editor’s
note: The
health information given in this article is not meant as a substitute
for care from a qualified physician. This information is given for educational
purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or prescribe. StarIQ.com
is not responsible for any mishaps that occur as a result of using this
information.
|
