Feverfew 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. |
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Willow Bark has been known since antiquity for its pain-relieving and fever-reducing properties. In the early 19th century, a French chemist extracted the principal active ingredient from Willow Bark, and named it salicin. At the end of the century, Felix Hofmann, a chemist at the Bayer company in Germany, developed the world's most used medication - aspirin, or acetyl-salicylic acid. Willow is well known as the original source of salicylic acid (the precursor to original aspirin). Recently, pain sufferers are returning to the natural sources of salicin to avoid the potentially dangerous side effects of synthetic aspirin. The primary chemical constituents of White Willow Bark include glycosides (salicin, salicoside), salicortine, tannin, catechin, and flavonoids. Female Willow buds contain phytoestrogens. Salicylic acid is a weak anti-inflammatory agent, but is converted by the liver to acetyl-salicylic acid. The acetylated version has aspirin's more effective anti-inflammatory activity without its gastrointestinal toxicity. The salicylates inhibit the activity of the cyclo-oxgenase enzymes, and thus inhibit the production of prostaglandins and other inflammatory molecules. The excretion of salicylic acid in the urine helps soothe an irritated urinary tract. Willow Bark has long been used for fevers and inflammations. In addition, the astringency of the glycosides makes Willow Bark useful as an antiseptic and astringent.
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