Brief Background: Feverfew is an herb that has been used traditionally as an antipyretic, as its name denotes, although this effect has not been well studied. Feverfew is most commonly used orally for the prevention of migraine headache. There is a biochemical basis for this use in pre-clinical studies reporting anti-inflammatory and vascular (inhibition of vasoconstriction) effects. Several controlled human trials have been conducted with mixed results. Overall, these studies suggest that feverfew taken daily as dried leaf capsules may reduce the incidence of headache attacks in patients who experience chronic migraines. Expert Opinion and Historic Precedent: Feverfew has been used for centuries as an anti-pyretic. Other traditional uses include asthma, headache, gynecological disorders, "rheumatism," stomach ache, toothache, and insect bites. The herb was considered to be one of the most effective headache treatments available since 18th Century. There is anecdotal evidence supporting the usefulness of feverfew, popularized since the 1970s, in the prevention of migraine headache. People have typically ingested the native fresh or dried leaf. Feverfew         Back