Herb Profile

Feverfew

Tanacetum parthenium

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) carries a Grade C rating — limited evidence.

Last reviewed: 2 sources citedReport a correctionProfile-wide ·C Limited

Use extra caution Avoid in pregnancy; possible mouth ulcers/GI upset; allergy risk in Asteraceae sensitive users; caution with anticoagulants/antiplatelets. Details

Evidence
Limited Evidence
Typical onset
Varies by prep
Safety rating
High caution
Best for
Anti Inflammatory, Analgesic, Cognitive function, Inflammatory signaling
Avoid / review if
Pregnancy, Asteraceae/Ragweed Allergy, Anticoagulant Use Without Clinician Review
Feverfew monograph visual
Generated profile category visual

At a glance

From this profile's structured data
Evidence
Grade C
Safety
Avoid in pregnancy; possible mouth ulcers/GI upset; allergy risk in Asteraceae-sensitive users; caution with anticoagulants/antiplatelets.
Profile context
anti-inflammatory, analgesic
Next steps

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Safety

Safety & Cautions

Avoid in pregnancy; possible mouth ulcers/GI upset; allergy risk in Asteraceae sensitive users; caution with anticoagulants/antiplatelets.

High caution

Caution level: High. Multiple caution categories apply, or the record uses avoid/contraindication language.

  • Anticoagulant CautionBleeding or anticoagulant-adjacent caution language is present.
Detailed safety fields

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and contraindications

  • Pregnancy
  • Asteraceae/Ragweed Allergy
  • Anticoagulant Use Without Clinician Review
  • Upcoming Surgery
  • May Increase Bleeding Risk With Anticoagulants/Antiplatelets/NSAIDs
  • Caution With Migraine Medications.

Safety classifications

  • Anticoagulant Caution: Bleeding or anticoagulant-adjacent caution language is present.

Full safety note

  • Avoid in pregnancy; possible mouth ulcers/GI upset; allergy risk in Asteraceae sensitive users; caution with anticoagulants/antiplatelets.

Safety labels

  • Anticoagulant Caution

Evidence-based safety

Caution when combined

Severity and certainty are shown separately. A high-priority caution can still be theoretical: these pairings are screened from shared contraindication mechanisms and are not automatically documented clinical interactions. Provenance identifies the source fields that produced each flag; it does not upgrade the certainty of the pairwise claim.

Evidence

Evidence Summary

Evidence lens

Read as directional context, not settled clinical proof.

LimitedLimited Evidence

Human clinical evidence: Not the primary signal

Mechanistic / preclinical: Mechanism mappedInflammatory Signaling Modulation · Neurotransmitter Modulation · NF KB Modulation

Research maturity: Theoretical / mechanistic researchMechanistic or unresolved evidence is kept separate from established human outcomes.

Safety boundary: Safety note availableAvoid in pregnancy; possible mouth ulcers/GI upset; allergy risk in Asteraceae sensitive users; caution with anticoagulants/antiplatelets.

This profile cites 2 human studies.

Study design details
Evidence Grade

Grade C: Limited Evidence

Evaluation of methodological rigor, population reach, and evidence alignment.

Design Match
Narrative review
Risk of Bias
High
Consistency
Not assessed
Strongest recorded design is a narrative review, drawn from 2 recorded studies, none of which measured an outcome in people.
How evidence grades work

Each grade reflects the strength and consistency of published human evidence — not marketing claims. Grades are based on study count, design quality, effect size, consistency, and recency.

Strong
Multiple RCTs, consistent direction, adequate effect size
Moderate
Some RCTs or consistent observational data in humans
Preliminary / Mixed
Animal or in-vitro only, or conflicting human data
Traditional / Theoretical
Traditional use only; no controlled human trials
Clinical Study Summaries (3)0 human evidence sources · 0 human trials · Participant totals not consistently reported · Consistency not yet classifiable

Filter by study class

Showing 3 of 3 studies.

What the evidence actually shows

This table contains 3 structured sources, including 0 human evidence sources; 0 are human trials.

StudyDesignNDoseDurationPopulationOutcomeResult & magnitudeSource

Migraine Headache Prophylaxis

Moreland P et al. · Am Fam Physician · 2025

Background
Narrative review

Summarizes selected literature without the full prespecified search and selection methods of a systematic review.

PubMed

Nutraceuticals and Headache 2024: Riboflavin, Coenzyme Q10, Feverfew, Magnesium, Melatonin, and Butterbur

Tepper SJ et al. · Curr Pain Headache Rep · 2025

Background
Narrative review

Summarizes selected literature without the full prespecified search and selection methods of a systematic review.

PubMed

Migraine Headache Prophylaxis

Ha H et al. · Am Fam Physician · 2019

Background
Other / unclear

The study design is not yet classified clearly enough to infer its place in the evidence hierarchy.

PubMed

Dosing & Timing

No standardized dose
Preparation specific; use standardized product label for Leaf capsules/extracts standardized to parthenolide and require source backed dosage review before therapeutic claims.
How Feverfew works

Simplified mechanism pathway based on preclinical and pharmacological evidence. Does not confirm clinical efficacy.

Mechanism Pathway — How Feverfew Works

How Feverfew WorksFeverfew acts on biological target pathways via anti inflammatory, leading to anti inflammatory.FeverfewBiological TargetBiological pathwayAnti InflammatoryAnti InflammatoryObservable outcomeNeurotransmitterModulation
CompoundTarget / ReceptorMechanismEffect / Outcome
Mechanisms & biological pathways (preclinical)
  • Inflammatory Signaling Modulation
  • Neurotransmitter Modulation
  • NF KB Modulation

Active Compounds

Key constituents studied in Feverfew, with full pharmacology and safety profiles.

Compare related active botanicals

Explore botanicals with similar chemistry, effects, or safety considerations in the Botanical Activity Atlas.

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Condition guides

Compare & Sourcing

Compare side-by-side tradeoffs or verify active marker guidelines.

Sourcing options

Feverfew product picks

Recommendation status

Product recommendations are not shown for this profile because the current site safety and monetization policy does not permit them.

Product form & quality guidelines

When sourcing Feverfew, verify the label for:

  • Standardized extract: Confirm active content percentages on the supplement facts panel (e.g. standardized to specific marker compounds) rather than simple raw herb weights.
  • Third-party testing: Look for independent purity labels (USP, NSF, ConsumerLab, or Eurofins) to ensure the product is free from heavy metals, solvents, and contaminants.
  • Form bioavailability: Ensure the form matches evidence-supported configurations (e.g. standardized active extracts like bacosides, withanolides, or curcuminoids) for optimal onset and digestion tolerance.

Safety first · Harm reduction

This information is educational and not medical advice. Start low, avoid risky combinations, and consult a licensed clinician before making health decisions—especially if you use medications, have diagnosed conditions, or are pregnant/breastfeeding.

Learn how we evaluate confidence, safety, and intensity on the methodology page.

Editorial Review

Checked against primary sources, cited evidence, and contraindication language before publication. Evidence claims, safety language, and affiliate modules are reviewed independently. Not personal medical advice.

Editorial Standards →

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