Feverfew,Dioscorides's Fever Reducer or febrifugia,what is the history of this pretty daisy-like flower?

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Feverfew Extract INCI Name Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract CAS 89997-65-9 EINECS ELINCS No 289-701-2 Tanacetum parthenium photo picture image Feverfew(Chrysanthemum parthenium,Tanacetum parthenium)
 Botanical: Chrysanthemum Parthenium (BERNH.)
 Genus: Tanacetum L. Family: N.O. Compositae Species: Tanacetum parthenium (L.) Schultz-Bip.
 Synonyms:Pyrethrum Parthenium (Sm.). Featherfew. Featherfoil. Flirtwort. Bachelor's Buttons.
 Scientific Name: Feverfew
 Biological Name: Tanacetum parthenium, Chrysanthemum parthenium
 Botanical Source:The flowering herb of Pyrethrum Parthenium, Smith (Matricaria Pyrethrum, Linne; Chrysanthemum Parthenium, Persoon; Tanacetum Pyrethrum, Schultz).
 Latin Names:Tanacetum parthenium, Chrysanthemum parthenium, Pyrethrum parthenium, Tanacetum parthenium
 Common Names:Bachelor's Buttons, Bride's button, Altamisa, Featherfew, Featherfoil, Febrifuge plant, Feverfew, Flirtwort, Pyrethrum, Wild Chamomile
 Pyrethrum is derived from the Greek pur (fire), in allusion to the hot taste of the root.
 Feverfew is a perennial which is native to the Balkan Peninsula. It has been cultivated and naturalized in much of Europe and North and South America. For more botanical information on feverfew visit the USDA Plant Profile.
 Its common name "feverfew" suggests the historical use of the plant to reduce fevers. Other uses have been recorded in literature through history and include menstrual regulation, external pain relief and digestive problems.

 Other Names: Altamisa, Chrysanthemum parthenium, Featherfew, Flirtwort, Pyrethrum parthenium, Wild Chamomile, Wild Quinine
 Official Latin Names: Chrysanthemum parthenium and Tanacetum parthenium
 Latin Names:Tanacetum parthenium, Chrysanthemum parthenium, Pyrethrum parthenium, Tanacetum parthenium
 Common Names:Feverfew, Featherfew,featherfoil, febrifuge plant ,Bachelor's Buttons, Bride's button, Altamisa, Featherfew, Featherfoil, Febrifuge plant, Feverfew, Flirtwort, Pyrethrum, Wild Chamomile,
 Used Part:Aerial parts.Herb.Leaves, the herb
 Family: Asteraceae

 Etymology: matricaria = from Greek meaning 'decaying mother' for its role in curing women of childbed infections; parthenium = 'chrysanthemum' meaning 'golden flowered'

 Properties:  Carminative, emmenagogue, purgative, stimulant, bitter tonic, antipyretic, aperient, anti-inflammatory, vermifuge

 Uses:  Prevention of Migraines and Headaches, arthritis, relieve fevers, muscle tension and pain, lowers blood pressure, lessens stomach irritation, stimulates appetite, improve digestion and kidney function.

 Remedies For: Aperient, carminative, purgative, tonic, emmenagogue, Colitis, dizziness, tinnitus and menstruatual problems.

 Feverfew, also known as Featherfew, Featherfoil, Bachelor's Buttons, and Febrifuge Plant, is an effective treatment for migraine headaches. Feverfew grows widely across Europe and North America. The name Feverfew is from the latin word, febrifuga, meaning "to lower fevers". The genus name, Tanacetum, is derived from anthanasis, meaning "immortal", as the flowers are long lasting. Cultivated for centuries, Feverfew has been used, like aspirin, primarily as a pain buffer. Feverfew inhibits the formation of two natural chemicals found in the body, prostaglandin and serotonin. Feverfew contains niacin and iron plus vitamin A and vitamin C. Helping regulate normal body functions, Feverfew works with the body to help heal itself. Used to relieve severe headaches, migraines and reduce fevers by cooling the body, Feverfew also helps to ease a wide range of ailments. Reducing inflammation, Feverfew is used for relieving pain linked to arthritis and reducing painful menstruation. Other uses for Feverfew have been for inflammatory skin problems, asthma and stimulating the appetite. Feverfew contains a range of compounds known as sesquiterpene lactones. Over 85% of these are a compound called parthenolide. Parthenolide helps prevent excessive clumping of platelets and inhibits the release of certain chemicals, including serotonin and some inflammatory mediators. This may reduce the severity, duration, and frequency of migraine headaches and improve blood vessel tone.
 Feverfew Extract INCI Name Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract CAS 89997-65-9 EINECS ELINCS No 289-701-2 Tanacetum parthenium photo picture image

 Plant Description of FeverFew:

 Feverfew is a pretty daisy-like flower, that grows wild in many areas. The flowers are small but enjoyed by bees. The foliage has a slightly fetid aroma, but this is more than compensated by the plants medicinal value. Feverfew has been used medicinally since the time of the Romans and before, to cure everything from fevers to ague. Today it is primarily prescribed for headaches and migraine. Feverfew will bloom continuously summerlong, although you may want to shear off spent blossoms to encourage the blooming process. A sturdy old-fashioned plant with a long and useful past.

 Various forms of feverfew grow to heights of between 9 inches and 2 feet. The deeply cut leaves are brightly colored and have a sharp, unpleasantly bitter taste. The flowers, which are produced from summer until mid-fall, are thick and daisy like with yellow centers.

 Native to Southwest Europe where Feverfew's beautiful simplicity belies its value as a medicinal herb. Ornamental as well as useful Feverfew is a wonderful self seeding plant that naturalizes large areas well.

 According to The Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, it was the wife of a Welsh doctor who discovered Feverfew was good for Migraines. She apparently suffered for 50 years before using Feverfew. It is now also being investigated for use in the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis. One step at a time. Always consult a qualified practitioner before treatment.

 Feverfew was known to the ancient Egyptians and Greeks as a valuable herbal remedy, used as an anti-inflammatory agent, to treat migraine headaches, and as an emmenagogue (promoting menstrual flow). This is a unique herb that contains compounds known as parthenolides which researchers believe have unique nutritional benefits in helping to regulate normal body functions.

 Cultivation: Feverfew will thrive in the poorest soils. They can even make find a home in pavement cracks and and walls. Full sun is a must, as the plant is susceptible to mildew in the shade. It can be grown from seed or by root division. Cuttings can be rooted in early summer.

 Harvesting: Cut leaves and flowers as required. The flowers may be dried face down on a flat surface and used in potpourri.

 Habitat and Cultivation: Originally from southeastern Europe, feverfew is now common throughout Europe, Australia, and North America. Feverfew can be propagated from seed or cuttings, and prefers well-drained soil and sun. The leaves are picked as required, and the aerial parts as a whole are harvested in summer when the plant is in flower.

 Country people have long been accustomed to make curative uses of this herb, which grows abundantly throughout England. Gerard tells us that it may be used both in drinks, and bound on the wrists is of singular virtue against the ague.

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citations1.Feverfew,Dioscorides's Fever Reducer or febrifugia,what is the history of this pretty daisy-like flower?

last edit date:20th,June.2009.