Feverfew

GENERAL DATA

Feverfew, the plant with a long history of use, especially in Europe, is also known as medieval aspirin or wild chamomile. It contains a large number of compounds, but its action is given by sesquiterpene lactones (85% represented by parthenolides). Besides these, the composition of Feverfew also contains flavones (quercetin, apigenin, tanetin), volatile oils (camphor, camphene, p-cymene, alpha and beta-pinene, alpha and gamma-terpinene, borneol, eugenol, etc.), and coumarins .



RECOMMENDATION DIRECTIONS

Antimigraine, antispastic effect: it has a role in reducing the intensity of the headache and other symptoms associated with it, specific to the migraine episode (nausea, vomiting, vertigo, photophobia, phonophobia). The sesquiterpene lactones in the composition of Feverfew have the ability to prevent vascular spasms that cause migraines, by regulating the production of serotonin and the activity of serotonin receptors. Thus, parthenolides reduce the vascular spasms that regulate migraines through a selective vasodilator mechanism.

Anti-inflammatory effect: Feverfew, through parthenolides, is a strong inhibitor of the activation of the nuclear factor NF-kB (specific transcription factor, key regulator of inflammation and initiator of the immune response), intervening preventively in pro-inflammatory events. In addition, Feverfew prevents the accumulation of prostaglandins.

Anti-allergic effect: Feverfew contributes to avoiding the allergic phenomenon, by inhibiting the release of histamine.

Antitumor effect: Parthenolides favor the destruction of cancer cells, by being involved in suppressing STAT activation (signal transducers and activators of transcription) and protecting cell integrity against oxidative stress. Sesquiterpene lactones show anticancer activity against several cell lines (human fibroblasts, laryngeal carcinoma).

Other effects: antibacterial effect; sometimes, it is applied directly to the gums (for toothaches) or to the skin (to kill germs).