Feverfew

Indication: Migraine headaches

Source: Cephalalgia, 2002;22:523-532.

Research: Researchers treated 147 pa­tients with migraine headaches with either feverfew extract (2.08 mg, 6.25 mg or 18.75 mg) or a placebo three times daily for 12 weeks. The researchers compared the number of migraines that patients experienced at baseline before supplementation with the number of migraine attacks during the last 28 days of treatment.

Results: Overall there was no significant difference between patients treated with feverfew and those given the placebo. In a small subgroup of patients (n=49) receiving 6.25 mg of feverfew three times daily, the occurrence of migraine headaches was decreased by almost 38% compared to placebo. These patients had at least four migraines during baseline and were considered the most likely to benefit from the herb. Feverfew did not have a significant effect on patients with less frequent migraine headaches.