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Difference between revisions of "Feverfew"
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==News About Feverfew== | ==News About Feverfew== | ||
'''Golden feverfew a burst of bold splash''' | |||
*Source:http://www.sfgate.com/homeandgarden/pickoftheweek/article/Golden-feverfew-a-burst-of-bold-splash-4564127.php | |||
:By Erle Nickel | |||
Sometimes a plant needs to do just one thing, especially if it does that one thing really well. Nowhere is this more evident than with Tanacetum parthenium aureum, commonly known as golden feverfew. Although it produces pretty, yellow-and-white flowers in summer, it's the glorious yellow-green foliage gardeners are after. It forms a vigorous shrub 12 to 18 inches tall and slightly wider and grows quickly in spring. Golden feverfew turns chartreuse when it's planted in enough afternoon sun. | |||
This is not a shy plant, so use it where you want a bold splash of color. It works if you plant it among cooler foliage, where it becomes a focal point, or among other saturated colors where it can hold its own. | |||
I have mine planted next to screaming-orange ice plants, and they look wonderful together, greeting visitors as they come up our front walkway. Then again, due to its modest size, it can be tucked in front of larger sun-loving shrubs, like abelias, spireas or philadelphus. It can even take a bit of shade, though it may lose a bit of its bright hue. | |||
The foliage itself is quite attractive - so finely cut that it resembles a fern. As mentioned, the foliage is the appeal of this plant, and some gardeners prune off new flowers to keep the focus on the leaves. | |||
But there's more to golden feverfew than meets the eye. As its common name suggests, it has a long tradition of being used as a medicinal plant. Though there is no definitive record for its original use, it was noted to be an anti-inflammatory by the Greek physician Dioscorides in the first century. | |||
The word "feverfew" derives from the Latin word febrifugia, meaning fever reducer. Additionally, the plant has long been used as a herbal treatment to treat digestive problems, headaches, even arthritis. | |||
:Did you know? | |||
Feverfew includes the active ingredients parthenolide and tanetin. Science has taken some interest in parthenolide, which has shown the potential to target cancer stem cells. | |||
:Cultivation | |||
Grow in full sun to light shade in fertile, well-drained soil. Tanacetum parthenium is considered a short-lived perennial and may die back in all zones except for 10 and 11. People often cut the plant to the ground in the late fall in order to spur lush new growth in spring. Feverfew is known to self-seed; to avoid this, deadhead flowers before they set seed. USDA zones 4-9. | |||
:Pests & diseases | |||
Leaf miners and aphids may be a problem and occasionally chrysanthemum nematodes but generally this is a very hardy plant. | |||
:Availability | |||
Tanacetum parthenium (syn. Chrysanthemum parthenium) is available at most Bay Area nurseries. It can be ordered from Annie's Annuals & Perennials ( www.anniesannuals.com). Seeds may be found at your local nursery. | |||
---- | |||
'''The Health Benefits of Feverfew''' | '''The Health Benefits of Feverfew''' | ||
*Source:https://www.verywell.com/the-health-benefits-of-feverfew-89562 | *Source:https://www.verywell.com/the-health-benefits-of-feverfew-89562 | ||
Revision as of 16:02, 2 August 2016
Herbal Remedies and Medicinal Cures for Diseases, Ailments & Illnesses that afflict Humans and Animals
Aloe Vera •
Astragalus •
Bankoro •
Bilberry •
Bitter Gourd (Ampalaya) •
Bitter Orange •
Black Cohosh •
Cat's Claw •
Chamomile •
Chasteberry •
Coconut •
Cranberry •
Dandelion •
Echinacea •
Ephedra •
European Elder Tree •
Evening Primrose •
Fenugreek •
Feverfew •
Flaxseed •
Garlic •
Ginger •
Ginkgo •
Ginseng (Asian) •
Golden Seal •
Grape Seed •
Green Tea •
Hawthorn •
Hoodia •
Horse Chestnut •
Kava •
Lavender •
Licorice •
Malunggay Moringa Oleifera •
Milk Thistle •
Mistletoe •
Passion Flower •
Peppermint Oil •
Red Clover •
Ringworm Bush (Akapulko) – Cassia alata •
Saw Palmetto •
St. John's Wort •
Tawa Tawa •
Turmeric •
Valerian •
Yohimbe •
accept the bitter to get better
 Feverfew leaves and flowers | |||
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Feverfew
The herb Feverfew as an alternative herbal remedy for fevers, headaches, stomach aches, toothaches and insect bites. - Originally a plant native to the Balkan mountains of Eastern Europe, feverfew now grows throughout Europe, North America, and South America.
Common Names--feverfew, bachelor's buttons, featherfew
Latin Names--Tanacetum parthenium, Chrysanthemum parthenium Picture of Feverfew
- Feverfew (Tanecetum parthenium) is a well-known herb and one of the most widely respected in the prophylactic (preventative) treatment of migraine and chronic headache. There are many clinical studies to support its effectiveness insignificantly reducing or completely eliminating the occurrence and the severity of chronic headache and migraine. Scientific research has demonstrated that Feverfew contains a range of compounds called sesquiterpene lactones, the principle ingredient being parthenolide. Parthenolide has been scientifically shown to prevent excessive clumping of blood platelets and to reduce the release of certain pain inducing chemicals and inflammatory compounds. It has also been shown to make smooth muscle in the walls of cerebral blood vessels less reactive to vaso-constrictors - thereby relaxing constricted blood vessels and increasing blood flow to the brain.
What Feverfew Is Used For
- Feverfew has been used for centuries as an herbal remedy for fevers, headaches, stomach aches, toothaches, insect bites, infertility, and problems with menstruation and labor during childbirth.
- Recently, feverfew has been used for migraine headaches and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Feverfew has also been used for psoriasis, allergies, asthma, tinnitus (ringing or roaring sounds in the ears), dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.
Herbal Remedy Products with Feverfew as part of the ingredients
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How Feverfew Is Used
- The dried leaves--and sometimes flowers and stems--of feverfew are used to make supplements, including capsules, tablets, and liquid extracts. *The leaves are sometimes eaten fresh.
What the Science Says about Feverfew
- Some research suggests that feverfew may be helpful in preventing migraine headaches; however, results have been mixed and more evidence is needed from well-designed studies.
- One study found that feverfew did not reduce rheumatoid arthritis symptoms in women whose symptoms did not respond to conventional medicines. It has been suggested that feverfew could help those with milder symptoms.
- There is not enough evidence available to assess whether feverfew is beneficial for other uses.
- NCCAM-funded researchers are studying ways to standardize feverfew; that is, to prepare it in a consistent manner. Standardized preparations could be used in future studies of feverfew for migraines.
Side Effects and Cautions of Feverfew
- No serious side effects have been reported for feverfew. Side effects can include canker sores, swelling and irritation of the lips and tongue, and loss of taste.
- Less common side effects can include nausea, digestive problems, and bloating.
- People who take feverfew for a long time and then stop taking it may have headaches, nervousness, difficulty sleeping, stiff muscles, and joint pain.
- Women who are pregnant should not use feverfew because it may cause the uterus to contract, increasing the risk of miscarriage or premature delivery.
- People can have allergic reactions to feverfew. Those who are allergic to other members of the daisy family (which includes ragweed and chrysanthemums) are more likely to be allergic to feverfew.
- Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.
News About Feverfew
Golden feverfew a burst of bold splash
- By Erle Nickel
Sometimes a plant needs to do just one thing, especially if it does that one thing really well. Nowhere is this more evident than with Tanacetum parthenium aureum, commonly known as golden feverfew. Although it produces pretty, yellow-and-white flowers in summer, it's the glorious yellow-green foliage gardeners are after. It forms a vigorous shrub 12 to 18 inches tall and slightly wider and grows quickly in spring. Golden feverfew turns chartreuse when it's planted in enough afternoon sun.
This is not a shy plant, so use it where you want a bold splash of color. It works if you plant it among cooler foliage, where it becomes a focal point, or among other saturated colors where it can hold its own.
I have mine planted next to screaming-orange ice plants, and they look wonderful together, greeting visitors as they come up our front walkway. Then again, due to its modest size, it can be tucked in front of larger sun-loving shrubs, like abelias, spireas or philadelphus. It can even take a bit of shade, though it may lose a bit of its bright hue.
The foliage itself is quite attractive - so finely cut that it resembles a fern. As mentioned, the foliage is the appeal of this plant, and some gardeners prune off new flowers to keep the focus on the leaves.
But there's more to golden feverfew than meets the eye. As its common name suggests, it has a long tradition of being used as a medicinal plant. Though there is no definitive record for its original use, it was noted to be an anti-inflammatory by the Greek physician Dioscorides in the first century.
The word "feverfew" derives from the Latin word febrifugia, meaning fever reducer. Additionally, the plant has long been used as a herbal treatment to treat digestive problems, headaches, even arthritis.
- Did you know?
Feverfew includes the active ingredients parthenolide and tanetin. Science has taken some interest in parthenolide, which has shown the potential to target cancer stem cells.
- Cultivation
Grow in full sun to light shade in fertile, well-drained soil. Tanacetum parthenium is considered a short-lived perennial and may die back in all zones except for 10 and 11. People often cut the plant to the ground in the late fall in order to spur lush new growth in spring. Feverfew is known to self-seed; to avoid this, deadhead flowers before they set seed. USDA zones 4-9.
- Pests & diseases
Leaf miners and aphids may be a problem and occasionally chrysanthemum nematodes but generally this is a very hardy plant.
- Availability
Tanacetum parthenium (syn. Chrysanthemum parthenium) is available at most Bay Area nurseries. It can be ordered from Annie's Annuals & Perennials ( www.anniesannuals.com). Seeds may be found at your local nursery.
The Health Benefits of Feverfew
- By Cathy Wong, ND(Reviewed by a board-certified physician)
What Should I Know About It?
-What is Feverfew?
Also known as "featherfew" and "wild chamomile," feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is a plant belonging to the sunflower family. It has long been used as an herbal remedy in European folk medicine.
Feverfew contains a compound called parthenolide, which may help to ease muscle spasms, reduce inflammation, and prevent the constriction of blood vessels in the brain.
Feverfew is available in capsule, tablet, and liquid extract form, and is sold in most health food stores. Uses for Feverfew
In alternative medicine, feverfew is typically used as a herbal remedy for the following conditions:
- • Migraines
- • Arthritis
- • Psoriasis
- • Menstrual cramps
- • Asthma
- • Skin conditions
- • Stomachaches
-Health Benefits of Feverfew
Although research on feverfew's health effects is limited, studies have looked at the use of the herb in these conditions:
1) Migraine
In a 2005 study of 170 migraine patients, researchers found that those who took feverfew extract for 16 weeks experienced 1.9 fewer attacks per month than they had before the study started. (Study members who took a placebo for the same amount of time, meanwhile, experienced 1.3 fewer attacks per month.)
In a 2004 review of five clinical trials, however, investigators found insufficient evidence to suggest that feverfew is more effective than placebo in preventing migraine.
2) Rheumatoid Arthritis
Test-tube experiments have demonstrated that feverfew may help fight the inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis, although no human studies have proven feverfew to be more useful than placebo in treatment of this disease.
3) Pancreatic Cancer
In a 2005 study, scientists discovered that parthenolide extracted from feverfew inhibited the growth of pancreatic cancer cells in the lab. However, it's too soon to tell whether feverfew may be useful in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
-Caveats
Side effects may include minor stomach upset (such as nausea, diarrhea, and flatulence).
Patients who stop long-term use of feverfew may also experience muscle stiffness, moderate pain, and anxiety.
If you're allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemum, or marigold, you may be sensitive to feverfew.
Anyone taking anticoagulant or anti-platelet medication should consult their doctor before using feverfew.
It's important to keep in mind that supplements haven't been tested for safety and dietary supplements are largely unregulated. In some cases, the product may deliver doses that differ from the specified amount for each herb. In other cases, the product may be contaminated with other substances such as metals. Also, the safety of supplements in pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and those with medical conditions or who are taking medications has not been established. You can get further tips on using supplements here.
-Using Feverfew for Health
Due to the limited research, it's too soon to recommend feverfew as a treatment for any condition. It's also important to note that self-treating a condition and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences.
If you're considering using feverfew for any health purpose, make sure to consult your physician first.•
Feverfew - (Tanacetum parthenium) (previously called Chrysanthemum parthenium)
- (Register)
When Feverfew is mentioned in herbal articles, or in herbal remedies, the first thing they mention is its ability to relieve migraines. There are many more benefits that this herb can contribute to than that one particular ailment. Feverfew was aptly named for its traditional use to reduce fevers, but it has also gone by the common names of Featherfew, or Featherfoil due to the shape of its leaves. You will find it in old herbals (or medica materia) under the name “Parthenium." In those texts, Parthenium was described mostly as a valuable carminative, stomachic, and antispasmodic with its properties and uses closely resembling those of chamomile.
This perennial is found in disturbed habitats, roadsides, meadows, and fields all over the U.S. It is not a native of our area, but has easily naturalized due to the Early Colonists bringing it with them, and its spreading habit. It prefers full sun to partial shade, and well-drained soil; however, it will adapt to many different situations. It grows 18-24 inches with a spread of about 15 inches. It grows in zones 3-9. The leaves are alternate, pinnate, yellow-green, with scalloped and serrated edges. They tend to point towards the ground, and they have short hairs. They are similar to Chrysanthemum leaves if you are familiar with them. The flowers are tubular yellow disk flowers with white rays composing a composite head typical of the Asteraceae family. The flowers bloom from July-October, and are sometimes confused with Chamomile. The leaves are high in many nutrients such as: calcium, magnesium, manganese, niacin, phosphorus, riboflavin, selenium, thiamine, and Vitamins A & C.
Traditionally, this herb was used mainly for arthritis, stomach aches, fevers, coughs, inflammations, headaches, to expel worms, and help with female reproductive ailments. It was also used to repel insects! Bees will not come near this plant, and it is best to make sure it is planted away from beneficial plants for these pollinators. It is considered an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, carminative, stimulant, nervine, antispasmodic, emmenagogue, and febrifuge. It is very similar in action to the modern day aspirin being that it will help to relieve pain, reduce fevers, prevent blood clots, and reduce inflammations. It helps with migraines by calming the nerves, reducing expansion or contraction of blood vessels, providing extra magnesium, and reducing muscle spasms. Back in the 17th century, John Parkinson (Apothecary to James I, Royal Botanist to Charles I, and English Herbalist), described feverfew as “very effectual for all paines in the head”. It was not until modern day science, that we now know the “Why” of its effectiveness; however, traditional herbalists knew it worked without knowing those particulars. It is mainly taken to prevent migraines, but some do get relief during their episode. Feverfew has a strong odor that is produced by the volatile oils, and a bitter taste. It is this bitter taste that stimulates saliva, stimulates digestion, and stimulates bile production. The volatile oils have also been shown to have antiseptic qualities. There are 29 components found in just the volatile oils alone! It also has been shown to reduce histamine release pertaining to allergies. J.T. Garrett explains in “The Cherokee Herbal”, “Feverfew’s strong odor helps to purify the air around the home, and it is used for alleviating asthma and allergies”. He also went on to say, “It helps those with low spirits and with muscle tension”. You can make an infusion of the herb, let it cool, and use it as a rinse on your pets to deter fleas. That same rinse will be beneficial for lice, scabies, psoriasis, insect bites, or other external inflammations. Remember, insects do not like feverfew! The anti-inflammatory property of this herb helps to reduce the pain of arthritis by reducing the inflammation in the joints. This will not cure arthritis by any means, but it will help with the symptoms. For women, it can stimulate and regulate menstrual flow, help with menopausal symptoms, and reduce tension (both in the muscles and the nerves). You can start drinking the infusion a few days before to help with those particular situations.
Feverfew: A Natural Remedy for Migraine Relief
- Source:http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/home-remedies/feverfew-a-natural-remedy-for-migraine-relief/
- (Best Health)
If you're prone to migraines, you may have fewer with feverfew. It has long been considered a go-to remedy for head pain'and here's why
- Feverfew can remedy your migraine symptoms
Feverfew is a home remedy used medicinally to prevent and treat the symptoms of migraines. How feverfew works for migraines may be its effect on serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical that occurs naturally in the body and abnormal levels of serotonin are associated with migraines. Test-tube studies conducted in 1985 at the University Hospital in Nottingham, England, showed that an active ingredient in feverfew, parthenolide, inhibits the clumping-together of platelets in the bloodstream, which in turn discourages the release of excess serotonin.
- How to use feverfew for migraine prevention
If you’re trying out feverfew for migraine prevention, look for a product with a standardized amount of parthenolide, the herb’s active ingredient. Follow the package directions carefully. Make sure you store feverfew capsules in a cool, dry place, as levels of parthenolide can drop as much as 25 percent at room temperature in 6 months. If you are allergic to plants in the daisy family, which includes ragweed and chrysanthemums, be careful, as you could be allergic to feverfew.
People who take feverfew for a long time and then stop taking it may experience difficulty sleeping, headaches, joint pain, nervousness and stiff muscles.
- Modern research and studies on feverfew
A 1985 study in the British Medical Journal put feverfew in the spotlight. Researchers at the City of London (now National) Migraine Clinic asked migraine sufferers already using the herb to stop; some then started taking the herb again while others were given a placebo. The placebo group experienced more migraine headaches and more intense pain. A larger, 1988 study from the University of Nottingham, published in the journal The Lancet, confirmed feverfew’s ability to reduce the severity and frequency of migraines’by about 24 percent.
- Feverfew may help fight cystic fibrosis
Researchers from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland found in a 2007 test-tube and mouse study that parthenolide’s anti-inflammatory action could one day be harnessed to ease the excessive inflammation that leads to lung destruction and death in people with cystic fibrosis. Parthenolide inhibited the release of an inflammatory chemical called interleukin-8’and might in the future be the basis for a safe, effective drug for this serious medical condition.
Feverfew may benefit those with migraine
- By DONAL O'MATHUNA
DOES IT WORK? Migraine is a common, debilitating condition that may not respond to pharmaceuticals
FEVERFEW IS often found in old gardens because of its relatively large, daisy-like flowers. While its name comes from its use in treating fevers, it has been heralded more recently as a remedy to prevent migraine headaches.
Migraine is a relatively common, recurrent problem which can be severely debilitating. Migraines and tension headaches can be caused by a variety of different factors, including foods, environmental factors and sleep disorders.
In treating and preventing migraines, such lifestyle factors must be considered. Pharmaceutical drugs are available, but can have adverse effects. Feverfew is promoted by some as a mild and safe remedy for the prevention of migraines.
- Evidence from studies
At least 40 different chemicals have been isolated from feverfew and shown to have some biological effect. Parthenolide was assumed to be the ingredient active against migraine, but recent studies have raised questions about this.
Several of the ingredients influence hormones and chemicals found in the brain, which lends credence to feverfew's potential impact on migraines. However, no consensus exists regarding how feverfew might prevent migraines.
About half a dozen controlled trials have been carried out using feverfew to prevent migraine. The longest lasted only four months. The results have been mixed.
Of the trials which showed no benefit from feverfew, most used an extract of the plant, but also were the trials of highest quality. The trials which found feverfew beneficial were of lower quality, and used the dried plant material in capsules.
The migraine patients who received feverfew tended to have fewer numbers of migraine headaches, but only one study found that the headache severity was reduced. Most of the evidence does not support feverfew improving migraine symptoms once an attack commences.
Controlled trials have not been conducted to test if feverfew is helpful in the treatment of migraines. All of the research located tested it as a means of preventing migraine.
- Problematic aspects
When taken in capsule form, adverse effects are relatively uncommon and mostly gastrointestinal problems. Traditionally, people were recommended to chew fresh feverfew leaves. This can lead to mouth ulcers, swollen tongue and lips and loss of taste.
These adverse effects have also been reported in some people using capsules containing dried plant material.
Feverfew is a member of the aster and daisy family, so anyone who is allergic to such plants (including chrysanthemums and marigolds) should be cautious when first trying feverfew.
Quality control appears to be difficult with feverfew products. Some of the active ingredients are unstable, and their concentration in the plant varies widely depending on the time of the year.
When independent researchers have tested commercial products, large variations have been found in the amount of active ingredient they contain.
- Recommendations
Migraine is a relatively common and debilitating condition.
While pharmaceuticals are available to prevent and treat migraines, they can have problematic side effects and don't work well for some migraine sufferers.
Some people with recurring migraine headaches might receive some benefit from feverfew.
However, the evidence available to support this is not particularly strong.
Feverfew is relatively safe, although care should be taken at first to watch for allergic reactions and mouth sensitivity. The evidence is slightly stronger for using products that contain dried plant material rather than extracts of the plants.
To reduce the incidence of migraine, other lifestyle factors such as diet, sleep and stress reduction should be examined. Once a migraine begins, however, there is no evidence that feverfew will reduce its duration or severity.
Conventional treatments should be pursued at that point.
Furness Abbey monks grew the cures for many ailments
- (NorthWest Evening Mail)
THE monks of Furness Abbey and people living on manor estates, farms or cottages couldn’t drive to Tesco to do the weekly shop.
Many of the products we take for granted had to be grown in medieval kitchen gardens.
Monks would use plant cures on themselves and to help the local community in an era long before the National Health Service.
An idea of what could be produced in the medieval era is provided by pictures from the recreated gardens at Cressing Temple Barns, near Colchester.
There were plenty of medicinal plants grown in the medieval garden.
Feverfew would dispel melancholy, you took vervain for fever, mandrake – or devil’s apple – to kill pain, or liquorice for chest complaints. Henbane – or devil’s eye – was a sedative, elecampane aided digestion and comfrey – or knitbone – was good for the treatment of broken bones.
Angelica protected against contagion and purified the blood.
It also kept witches and evil spirits at bay. Horehound was a liver and digestive system remedy and was also used for symptoms of malaria.
There are wild, yellow primroses everywhere at the moment but they were also cultivated as an important remedy for rheumatism and gout.
The flowers were also used in a dish called primrose pottage, or added to a mixture of rice, almonds, honey and saffron.
Perhaps the most unusual garden plant was the humble nettle – generally seen as a weed today.
It has a fibre which is similar to hemp or flax which can be extracted, dyed and used for clothing.
In First World War Germany and Austria, it was cultivated in vast quantities to make army uniforms. Beetroot – red, white and Roman – was widely grown.
John Gerard, writing in 1597, said: “May be used in winter for a salad herbe, with vinegre, oyle and salt, and is not only pleasant to the taste but also delightful to the eye.”
Many plants were grown for their ability to dye everything from textiles to hair and food.
Celandine, or saffron, produces yellow, hollyhock turns your wine red, marjoram gives purple linen and woad turns cloth blue.
Other uses for plants included wormwood as an insect repellent, sweet woodruff as an air freshener and sage for cleaning teeth.
The tools used would seem familiar to gardeners today – sheers, rakes, hoes, spades and baskets.
There was even an early version of a watering can called a thumb pot – made of clay with small holes at the bottom.
You can find out about other aspects of life in a medieval monastery tomorrow, Tuesday, May 17, from 2pm in a talk by local historian Alan Crosby for the History of Kirkby Group at the village hall in Beckside, Kirkby. All are welcome.
4 Drought-Friendly Medicinal Herbs for Your Garden
- By Michelle Schoffro Cook
It’s wonderful to grow your own herbs, but if you’re environmentally-conscious and have a busy schedule like me, you’ll want ones that need minimal watering and attention. I’ve compiled four of my top drought-tolerant medicinal herbs for your garden. Here are my picks:
• Feverfew (Tanacetum spp.): Feverfew is fairly easy to grow from seed and can be grown indoors or outdoors in pots or in your garden. It loves sunlight, and after it takes hold, it needs little care or attention. To grow it from seed, simply sprinkle the seeds onto the soil and press down slightly to ensure the seeds are in contact with the soil (after all signs of frost are gone); there is no need to cover them. The plant grows to about a foot and a half to two feet tall and blooms all summer. If you cut the plant back in the fall, it will grow back in the spring.
The aerial parts of the plant (those parts that are above the ground) are used in herbal medicine as a proven remedy for migraine headaches when taken regularly as a preventive measure. In a meta-analysis published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, researchers found that feverfew could reduce both the severity and significance of migraine headaches. To harvest feverfew, simply chop off the stems a couple inches above the base, wash and hang upside down to dry. Or chop the leaves, flowers and stems and prepare as a tea using one teaspoon of dried herb or one tablespoon of fresh herb per cup of boiling water.
• Juniper (Juniperus communis): There are 170 different species of juniper. The most common is Juniperus communis (hence the name); One variety, Juniperus sabina, is toxic and should not be consumed. Juniper is hardy and easy to grow except in extreme cold and heat. Even so, I’ve seen it thriving in the winter cold of the Canadian Rockies. It prefers full sunlight and well-drained, slightly acidic soil, although it will grow in most soil, including saline coastal soils. When planting juniper, as for any shrub or tree, dig a hole twice the size of the root ball, add some compost and plant the juniper, tamping down the soil. Water two to three times weekly for the first few weeks. After that, this beautiful shrub rarely needs watering except in severe drought conditions. A study published in the journal Neurochemical Research found that inhalation of the volatile oils of the juniper plant may hold promise for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, dementia and glaucoma.
• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): You can easily experience the beauty and healing properties of lavender by using in food and body care. It will grow happily indoors in pots or outside in your garden. There are many species of lavender, most ranging from one to two feet tall and forming mounds of silver-green foliage topped with purple flowers in summer. They are simple to grow, making them an ideal plant for the lazy, busy or novice gardener.
It grows best in a sunny location with well-drained soil. To harvest, wait until the plant blooms, and cut the stems about one-third of the way from the flower heads. Collect the lavender on its stems and place in a vase or pitcher indoors to give the air a fresh, sweet smell. To dry lavender, tie one-inch bundles together with string or elastic bands and hang upside down until dry.
A recent study found that drinking lavender flower tea was slightly more effective than taking antidepressant drugs for the symptoms of depression. Study participants drank two cups of a lavender infusion daily, which can be made by using two teaspoons of dried lavender flowers per cup of boiling water, allowing it to sit for 10 minutes, straining and drinking.
• Mullein (Verbascum Thapsus): Mullein grows well in hot, dry conditions. It grows tall (up to five feet), rod-like stems from which velvety leaves radiate, with small yellow flowers on the top of the stalk. It prefers dry, sandy, or somewhat rocky soil with good drainage and needs minimal water. Mullein can also be planted directly outdoors. To harvest mullein, simply cut the base of the stalk and hang the whole plant upside down to dry in a clean, warm location. Once it has dried, pull off the leaves and store them in an air-tight jar or bag. Mullein has been traditionally used for many years to aid asthma, whooping cough, emphysema and other respiratory conditions. In laboratory tests, researchers found that a mullein extract was effective against two harmful bacterial strains, E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus. You can make a tea from two teaspoons of crushed, dried leaves per cup of boiling water, allowing it to infuse for ten minutes, straining and drinking.
6 Amazing Benefits Of Feverfew For Skin, Hair And Health
- By Anamika M (Style Craze)
The ancient Greeks called Feverfew ‘Parthenium’ because according to Greek legend, this amazing herb was used to save the life of someone who had fallen from the Parthenon, a temple in Athens! With such a colorful history behind, you can be sure that feverfew has a few stories to tell.
Feverfew, commonly known as wild chamomile, is a plant that belongs to the sunflower family. It is known by several other names too like Featherfew, thanks to its feather like leaves. Since a long time, Europeans used feverfew as an herbal remedy to treat various diseases and ailments. The feverfew leaves are still used to make medicines. So what does this plant so loved by the Greeks has in store for you? Health and beauty!
• Benefits of Feverfew Plant:
- Feverfew Benefits for Skin:
1. Skin Redness and Swelling:
Feverfew is a natural anti-inflammatory herb. It helps in reducing skin inflammation naturally. It not only cures the redness and swelling of the skin, but also prevents their future occurrence. There are many other skin conditions like ringworm, patches and scratches that can be healed with feverfew.
2. Promotes Healthy Skin:
Feverfew tea is very high in anti-oxidants. Regular and moderate consumption of feverfew tea protects our body from harmful free-radicals that damage skin cells. Being anti-inflammatory in nature, it renews and revitalizes the skin making it healthy and young from inside.
- Feverfew Benefits for Hair:
3. Stops Hair Fall:
Feverfew helps in reducing hair fall. As mentioned before, it is anti-inflammatory by nature and people using it have experienced a drastic reduction in hair fall. Use of feverfew herb directly on your scalp can be a bit risky and you may end up dealing with the side-effects. Therefore it is suggested that you opt for drinking feverfew tea in moderation to halt hair fall and keep baldness at bay.
- Feverfew Benefits for Health:
4. Migraine:
Studies have proven that feverfew for migraine decreases the frequency of migraine attacks. It works more efficiently than popular anti-inflammatory pills like aspirin etc. It inhibits amines and histamines, which control inflammation and stop blood vessel spasms. These inflammations and blood vessel spasms are the root cause of headaches and migraine attacks.
5. Arthritis:
Compounds in feverfew herb are useful in relieving pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. It keeps the blood platelets from being able to exempt inflammatory materials. This also helps in alleviating fever.
6. Menstrual Cramps:
Feverfew helps to ease menstrual cramps. This is because it tends to restrict the release of a hormone named prostaglandin, which is responsible for the pain and irritation that comes with PMS.
These were some of the major benefits associated with feverfew. If you are wondering about its availability, don’t worry! The market is full of feverfew supplements, pills, capsules and tinctures which you can try. But feverfew tea is the most common and safest way to reap benefits from feverfew plant. Let us now have a look at the nutritional value of feverfew or chamomile tea:
Generally, feverfew is safe for most people but there are some side effects associated with feverfew that you should be aware of.
- Side Effects of Feverfew:
1. The common side effects of feverfew may include diarrhea, bloating, upset stomach, heartburn, constipation, vomiting, flatulence and nausea.
2. There are some other reported side-effects of feverfew like tiredness, rash, weight gain, pounding heart, joint stiffness and trouble sleeping.
3. Feverfew is unsafe for pregnant and breast-feeding women.
4. Chewing fresh feverfew leaves can cause swelling of the lips, mouth and tongue. It can also lead to temporary loss of taste and mouth sores.
Don’t let this list of side effects scare you off! You can safely use feverfew but do remember not to over-consume it. Studies have suggested that 50 to 100mg of feverfew extract in a day is enough to prevent migraine headaches. For other ailments and problems, you should consult a doctor. As I said earlier, feverfew tea is one of the best ways to reap benefits from the feverfew plant. But it is very important that you follow the direction and dosage instructions given on the pack. After all, prevention is better than cure.
Compound in this Herb Beats Cancer, FDA Fast Tracks its Use for Big Pharma Meds
- By Christina Sarich
An herb discussed below caused a big upset a few years back when researchers realized it could be more successful at killing cancerous cells than an expensive chemo drug. Since that discovery, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has fast-tracked the plant compounds to be used in pharmaceutical meds. Want to know how to get yours from the natural source without paying Big Pharma for their patents? Read on.
Feverfew (tanacetum parthenium), also known as wild chamomile, is no small herb. Its properties are so powerful it has been shown to outperform anti-leukemia chemo drugs. The active ingredient in feverfew, which is responsible for much of its healing power, is known as Parthenolide.
Until recently, feverfew was used by herbalists primarily as a treatment for migraine headaches and nausea, but it turns out that the extent of its true healing powers were being overlooked.
One abstract concluded:
- “It has multiple pharmacologic properties, such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, cardiotonic, antispasmodic, an emmenagogue, and as an enema for worms. In this review, we have explored the various dimensions of the feverfew plant and compiled its vast pharmacologic applications to comprehend and synthesize the subject of its potential image of multipurpose medicinal agent. The plant is widely cultivated to large regions of the world and its importance as a medicinal plant is growing substantially with increasing and stronger reports in support of its multifarious therapeutic uses.”
Parthenolide has shown great promise in treating multiple cancers, though admittedly not in human testing. It works by reducing the spread (metastasis) or the recurrence of several types of cancerous cells, including breast, prostate, lung, bladder, leukemia, and myeloma.
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Another study, published in the Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research, concluded:
- “The parthenolide can inhibit the cell growth, migration, and induce the apoptosis in human pancreatic cancer. These findings may provide a novel approach for pancreatic cancer treatment.”
Harikrishna Nakshatri, associate professor of surgery, biochemistry, and molecular biology, and Marian J. Morrison, an investigator in breast cancer research, has discovered that parthenolide could block the activity of a protein called NF-kB in breast cancer cells. NF-kB promotes the production of proteins that block cell death. In moderation, that’s a good thing, but when NF-kB becomes overactive, cancer cells become resistant to chemotherapy drugs.
Fortunately, the active feverfew compound, parthenolide, is not highly soluble in water, which makes it harder for pharmaceutical companies to extract the compound and patent it. They have to modify its structure slightly for it to still work to kill cancerous cells. But you could also just take the much less expensive herb, and get the compound as nature intended it. Feverfew can also be grown in your own garden, and you can take the herb to induce cancer cell apoptosis for pennies.
- “When once planted it [feverfew] gives year after year an abundant supply of blossoms with only the merest degree of attention.”
I’m quite certain the American Medical Association and American Cancer Society wouldn’t want you to know that.
Flowering herbs like feverfew, chamomile worth growing for their looks alone
- By MELODY PARKER
There are a couple of earworms I can’t get rid of when I’m puttering with herbs in my garden -- Simon & Garfunkel’s “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme” and Strawberry Alarm Clock’s “Incense and Peppermints.” Unfortunately, I can’t remember many of the lyrics to either song, so the same refrains play over and over in my head, like a stuck record. And yes, I have both on vinyl.
Kitchen herbs can be grown in pots or a bed near the kitchen door for easy harvesting and use. Herbs also can be surprisingly formal in a Victorian-style knot garden, or be used informally by salting herbs into annual or perennial borders for cottage-garden appeal and used to edge vegetable gardens.
While most herbs are attractive, we usually think of them as green plants with small, insignificant flowers. Basil, chives, sage, parsley, rosemary, lavender and thyme are among fragrant herbs we harvest for cooking or making teas, potpourris and sachets.
But there some that produce lovely flowers and are worth growing for looks alone.
- • Echinacea. Coneflowers have undergone a revolution in color and form in the past 10 years, but the familiar purple coneflower has medicinal properties that ease cold and flu symptoms. These are tough, long-flowering prairie plants that can withstand drought conditions, but perform their best with regular moisture. They form deep taproots, which means propagating by root cuttings in the fall is better than division. You can find quart or gallon-sized plants or sow seeds.
- • Feverfew. It merrily re-seeds itself throughout my garden, particularly along the edges of borders and beds. I yank out a fair few, but leave the rest because of the daisy-like flowers — white petals perfectly arrayed around a small yellow disc. I’ll gather stems for flower bouquets.
- • Chamomile. Another daisy doppelganger, fragrant chamomile is popular in teas for calming nerves and has other uses, but I grow it for its charm and fragrance. Chamomile shows up a lot in shampoo formulations. There are two kinds, German and Roman. German is the upright type I grow, while Roman is a ground cover.
- • Johnny Jump-up. These old-fashioned violas are considered medicinal herbs, also called “heart’s ease” or “heartsease.” They bloom in spring, fade in summer, and sometimes return for a flush of color in fall. You can encourage this rebloom by shearing back the plants in summer.
- • St. John’s Wort. Well-known as a healing herb, St. John’s Wort has cheerful yellow blooms set against shiny green foliage. It’s easy to grow and thrives in sun and light shade. Be warned: It can be aggressive.
Herbal extracts help fight cancer
- By Oliver dePeyer
Plantextracts with anti-inflammatory properties may be useful in increasing the vulnerability of cancers to chemotherapeutic drugs, new research in Oncogene 1suggests.
Chemotherapy can hold diseases such as breast cancer at bay, but patients often die when tumour cells eventually develop resistance to the drugs used. Now Harikrishna Nakshatri and his colleagues from the Indiana Cancer Research Institute have delved into the herbal medicine cabinet and found compounds that inhibit the genes responsible for this resistance.
There are many genes in our cells that can cause cancer if they become active in the wrong place or at the wrong time. These include the genes responsible for encouraging cell growth and preventing cell death -- cancer is basically a form of uncontrolled cell growth.
These different groups of genes work together to encourage normal growth in healthy tissue. Such groups can all be switched on by 'transcription factors', proteins that bind to the DNA of the genes and activate them. A damaged or mutated transcription factor can cause cancerous growth by switching on all the genes that it normally regulates in a massive and uncontrolled manner.
Nakshatri had previously identified such an errant transcription factor in some breast cancers, called 'nuclear factor-kB', or 'NF-kB' for short. High levels of NF-kB have also been found in many other cancers.
Many cancer treatments stop cells dividing and growing. But Nakshatri and his team showed that NF-kB activates several cell division genes. If NF-kB levels are high enough, then the tumour cells can overcome the effects of the drugs.
As a patient undergoes chemotherapy, only the tumour cells that have high levels of NF-kB survive -- until you end up with a tumour full of NF-kB-rich cells, all resistant to the drug.
It seems clear that removing NF-kB from the picture should restore drug sensitivity. Interestingly, several traditional herbal remedies attack NF-kB. These include aspirin (from the bark of the willow tree, Salix alba), and helenalin, an extract of the native Mexican plant Smallhead Sneezeweed (Helenium microcephalum).
But many of these compounds adversely affect other chemicals in the cell. Parthenolide is an exception. An extract from the herb feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), parthenolide has long been a traditional remedy for migraine, and it now emerges that it is a highly specific inhibitor of NF-kB.
Nakshatri and his colleagues grew cancer cells in the presence of parthenolide and a commonly used anti-cancer drug, paclitaxel or Taxol, which inhibits cell division. They found that without NF-kB, the cells were much more susceptible to paclitaxel. In fact, the researchers killed off the cancer cells using lower doses of paclitaxel that did not have harmful effects on normal cells.
Nakshatri conclude that other medicinal plants might also be used in tandem with chemotherapies where tumours are rich in NF-kB. They suggest that extracts of Barberry (Berberis), Coptis (Coptis chinensis) and Gravel root (Eupatorium purpureum), all of which have anti-inflammatory properties similar to those of parthenolide, may be worth investigating.
But Edzard Ernst, professor of Complementary Medicine at the University of Exeter, UK, is cautious. "We have reviewed the scientific literature for feverfew, and we have found that it has not had any clinical effects in fighting cancer. To extrapolate from [this laboratory work] is a leap of faith -- we need the clinical evidence."
Feverfew genes yield anticancer compounds
- By Hj (Harro) Bouwmeester
The tobacco-like plant Nicotiana benthamiana can be used to produce potential anti-cancer drugs. Researchers of Wageningen UR (University & Research centre) discovered which genes in the herb feverfew are responsible for the production of bioactive ingredients that are used in various types of medication. They expressed these genes in N. benthamiana and successfully produced the medicinal substance.
Water-soluble, bioactive compounds
"Apart from the bioactive compound parthenolide, which we were aiming to produce, we found that N. benthamiana also produces slightly modified compounds. These are more water-soluble and can therefore be absorbed better by patients. That is very promising for application in medicine", says Qing Liu, who is going to defend the findings of his PhD research on Monday, 2 December 2013.
Advantages of genetic modification of tobacco
Taking the genes out of feverfew and expressing them in a tobacco plant has various advantages. "Feverfew is not easy to cultivate. To ensure a continuous production of medicinal compounds with a stable quality, it is important to work with plants that can be kept in a controlled environment", explains Ric de Vos of Wageningen UR Plant Research International. Professor Harro Bouwmeester of Wageningen University adds: "The concentrations of parthenolide in Feverfew are pretty low. N. benthamiana, which grows fast, has the potential to produce much larger amounts of it. Plus it makes better water-soluble variants of parthenolide."
Higher concentrations
PhD candidate Liu: "To increase the parthenolide production we will probably have to use a few more genes. Parthenolide is produced in four steps. The first step produces something that is used by the second step, and so on. We probably need to do something before step one to increase the output of the pathway." Bouwmeester: "Producing high concentrations of parthenolide would be fatal to the plant. That is why it converts it into the better water-soluble variants. At first that seemed to be a problem as we lost parthenolide. Now it turns out that the water-soluble variants also have advantages."
Competition to be the first to find the genes
Liu's main objective during his PhD research, part of the EU-project TERPMED, was to find the genes in feverfew that are involved in producing the medicinal parthenolide. "The first gene we already had in hand when I started my research but an article about the second gene by a competing group was published while I was studying which parts of the feverfew contain the highest concentrations of parthenolide", he says. "Studying the physiology of the plant was necessary to know where to look for the genes", he explains.
Publication of the first two genes helped to identify the other genes involved, but it also meant there was competition with other researchers around the world. Liu: "I found the third gene, but on the day I wanted to submit my article, a Canadian group published the same finding." Liu's discovery of the fourth gene is so recent, that it hasn't been published yet. Nervously: "We have submitted a paper to a high-impact scientific journal and are hoping it will be accepted. I hope we beat the competing group this time."
Feverfew: Pain Reduction and Cancer Prevention
- Source:http://www.wellnessresources.com/health/articles/feverfew_pain_reduction_and_cancer_prevention/
- By Byron J. Richards (Board Certified Clinical Nutritionist)
Feverfew has a long traditional use as a natural anti-inflammatory nutrient, commonly used to help reduce the pain of arthritis or migraine headaches. One of its primary active components is parthenolide. New gene array science is showing that parthenolide1 helps regulate many genes in a healthy direction, including those involved with inflammation. Not only does it reduce the core inflammatory gene signal known as NF-kappaB, it is now shown to influence many genes relating to cancer – helping to kill cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone.
Cancer cells hijack healthy function of normal cells and use a cell’s natural defense system to protect themselves. Cancer cells use the cell’s antioxidant defense system to protect themselves. Parthenolide has been shown to directly undermine the antioxidant defense system of cancer cells, lowering the core cellular antioxidant known as glutathione, thus causing an increase in free radical damage within the cancer cell and killing it.
Feverfew is yet another example of a nutrient that behaves in harmony with human physiology. Feverfew actually helps regulate cellular inflammation in healthy cells, thereby helping to lower the amount of free radical production within inflamed cells. Thus, our bodies use feverfew in a way that helps healthy cells survive while simultaneously killing cancer cells. Many nutrients share this sort of anti-cancer intelligence, quercetin and green tea are two examples that come to mind. The more we learn about how nutrition works at the gene level the more we stand in awe of the potential ability of the human body to heal if given the chance.
Feverfew genes yield anticancer compounds
- By Hj (Harro) Bouwmeester
The tobacco-like plant Nicotiana benthamiana can be used to produce potential anti-cancer drugs. Researchers of Wageningen UR (University & Research centre) discovered which genes in the herb feverfew are responsible for the production of bioactive ingredients that are used in various types of medication. They expressed these genes in N. benthamiana and successfully produced the medicinal substance.
- Water-soluble, bioactive compounds
"Apart from the bioactive compound parthenolide, which we were aiming to produce, we found that N. benthamiana also produces slightly modified compounds. These are more water-soluble and can therefore be absorbed better by patients. That is very promising for application in medicine", says Qing Liu, who is going to defend the findings of his PhD research on Monday, 2 December 2013.
Advantages of genetic modification of tobacco
Taking the genes out of feverfew and expressing them in a tobacco plant has various advantages. "Feverfew is not easy to cultivate. To ensure a continuous production of medicinal compounds with a stable quality, it is important to work with plants that can be kept in a controlled environment", explains Ric de Vos of Wageningen UR Plant Research International. Professor Harro Bouwmeester of Wageningen University adds: "The concentrations of parthenolide in Feverfew are pretty low. N. benthamiana, which grows fast, has the potential to produce much larger amounts of it. Plus it makes better water-soluble variants of parthenolide."
- Higher concentrations
PhD candidate Liu: "To increase the parthenolide production we will probably have to use a few more genes. Parthenolide is produced in four steps. The first step produces something that is used by the second step, and so on. We probably need to do something before step one to increase the output of the pathway." Bouwmeester: "Producing high concentrations of parthenolide would be fatal to the plant. That is why it converts it into the better water-soluble variants. At first that seemed to be a problem as we lost parthenolide. Now it turns out that the water-soluble variants also have advantages."
- Competition to be the first to find the genes
Liu's main objective during his PhD research, part of the EU-project TERPMED, was to find the genes in feverfew that are involved in producing the medicinal parthenolide. "The first gene we already had in hand when I started my research but an article about the second gene by a competing group was published while I was studying which parts of the feverfew contain the highest concentrations of parthenolide", he says. "Studying the physiology of the plant was necessary to know where to look for the genes", he explains.
Publication of the first two genes helped to identify the other genes involved, but it also meant there was competition with other researchers around the world. Liu: "I found the third gene, but on the day I wanted to submit my article, a Canadian group published the same finding." Liu's discovery of the fourth gene is so recent, that it hasn't been published yet. Nervously: "We have submitted a paper to a high-impact scientific journal and are hoping it will be accepted. I hope we beat the competing group this time."
Natural health: Migraine treatments and oil pulling
- By Megan Sheppard
My wife suffers migraines, particularly when she is under stress or coming down with an illness. She finds that it helps to lie in a darkened room with no sounds, smells, or any other sensations. Is there anything that she can take to stop these, as they really take it out of her?
It is good that you both have a reasonable idea of what actually triggers the migraines for your wife, as this can be difficult to ascertain. Common triggers include bright light, allergies and intolerances, strong odours, stress, cigarette smoke, loud noise, sleep disturbance, skipping meals, contraceptive pill, Monosodium glutamate (MSG) or nitrites in food, alcohol, caffeine, or even the hormonal changes associated with menstruation.
The most common trigger is perfume or other strong fragrances, causing migraines in almost a third of all sufferers.
There are also a number of well-known dietary triggers — particularly chocolate, nuts, bananas, citrus, dairy, onions, and fermented foods. Of course, they can also appear without any particular reason — but if you are able to take preventative measures then it should help to reduce the incidence and severity of the attacks.
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is the most popular herb for migraine prevention. Your wife will need to take 100mg daily for this remedy to work.
This dosage has been shown in studies to provide the necessary 0.7% of the active constituent, parthenolide. It can take a month before this begins to work, but it is worth sticking with if this is going to be a remedy that your wife responds well to.
To treat an existing migraine, both skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) are handy herbs to have on hand.
For a skullcap infusion, you will need one heaped teaspoon of dried herb to one cup of near-boiling water; a rosemary infusion requires a level teaspoon of the dried herb to each cup of water.
The other natural remedy which has been shown to work well in clinical studies is the addition of essential fatty acids to the diet.
Taking an essential fatty acid supplement on a daily basis can reduce the frequency of migraines by half in almost two-thirds of migraine sufferers, along with a significant reduction in the pain and severity of the attack.
Can you please elaborate on the process of oil-pulling? Specifically, what type of oil to use, how much, and how often.
Oil pulling is a traditional Ayurvedic technique used to help with oral hygiene and detoxification. Ideally, it is a daily routine done first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach — even before you have had as much as a glass of water or any other beverage As far as the type of oil goes, you can use olive oil or raw sesame oil, but I personally prefer to use coconut oil. If you do purchase coconut oil, it is best to choose the virgin, unrefined, unbleached, organic variety.
Use around a tablespoon of oil, swishing it gently around your entire mouth, taking care not to swish too vigorously or swallow any of the oil. Ensure that the oil is pulled between your teeth, under your tongue, and inside your cheeks, swishing for 10-15 minutes before spitting it out.
The oil becomes thin and foamy as it is combined with your saliva, and takes on a whitish colour. It is best to spit the oil into the garden, or down the toilet, since repeated oil being washed down the kitchen or bathroom sink can clog the pipes. Follow your oil pulling with gentle brushing, using a natural toothpaste.
While it may seem strange, many people have reported numerous benefits from following this daily practice, including weight loss, whiter teeth, migraine prevention, healthy gums, reduced asthma attacks and other allergic responses, clearer skin, hormonal regulation, clear sinuses, improved energy, and better sleep.
Of course, these reports are purely anecdotal — so it is worth making your own mind up as to whether or not it is a worthwhile method of detoxification and healing for the body.
Feverfew plants, flowers and leaves
FeverFew flowers
Fever Few flowers
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