Feverfew , Mutterkraut

In the early 1970s an English newspaper reported on the successful use of feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium, Asteraceae) for migraine, initiating intensive chemical and pharmacological studies of this traditional herb. Attention was focused on parthenolid, a sesquiterpene lactone with high biological activity. It is held responsible for the anti-migraine effect of feverfew. 34 further sesquiterpene lactones were identified in the herb as well as several lipophilic flavonoids and an essential oil with about 50 components, (5)-(-)-camphor, trans-chrysanthenyl acetate and camphene being the major components. The clinical trials for treatment of migraine were not really convincing which prevented feverfew from achieving the status of an herbal medicinal product. But promising pharmacological data do exist: Extracts of feverfew and/or parthenolid were shown to interfere in several inflammatory processes which may explain their effects on migraine and arthritis. Nevertheless toxicology, side effects and interactions of the herb must be discussed.