Tancaetum Parthenium

Feverfew (Tanacetum pathenium L. or Chrysanthemum parthenium L. Schulz-Bip) is a strongly aromatic, annual herb of the Composiate family (Asteracae). It originally comes from South Eastern Europe but is now widespread in all of Europe and North and South America. It grows in hedges, on walls, on fallow land and in rocky places, mostly wild. Feverfew can be approximately 10" and 24" tall and has white flowers with a yellow centre from May to November. For hundreds of years this plant has been used as a tonic for nervous disorders and anxiety, and for gout. In 1722 the herbalist J. Hill wrote of feverfew :"There is nothing better for the worst of headaches." And in fact, eating one to four fresh leaves a day can be very helpful to regular migraine attacks, and it is also used as a prophylactic against migraine. The leaves are usually eaten between two slices of bread because the taste is rather bitter and allergic reactions can sometimes occur. From time to time immemorial feverfew has been regarded as an aid to regulate menstruation. Women used it to ease pain and to expel the placenta after child birth. Puerperal fever was also controlled with feverfew, as were various disorders of the womb. Pregnant women should not therefore use this plant.