Feverfew

[Michelle KochStudent]

I am fortunate enough to have a lovely feverfew plant, grown from seeds my mother sent me. Since I don’t suffer from migraines, or even frequent headaches, I figured I could use it in place of aspirin for my elderly dog, when her aches and pains get to be too much. Unfortunately, my sweet dog hasn’t told me if it actually helps her or not, so I really had no way of knowing….. until last evening. My son was complaining of chills, sweating, and stomach pain. I told him I had some feverfew he could try for his chills and sweating, or he could try yarrow, if he was so inclined. I warned him I had no idea if the feverfew would actually work, and he said he would try it. I warned him it is very bitter, and he was okay with that. (Bless him) A few minutes later he had a steaming mug of feverfew tea (a teaspoon of ground leaves and flowers) in hand, mixed with a heaping serving of honey. Well, it was very bitter in spite of the honey, but it worked! Fever and tummy ache went away, and he was ready for some solid food. This evening he is cooking a pot roast for supper, as he has recovered so well. 🙂 I just thought I’d share.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Feverfew has properties very similar (though not as strong) as its cousin Chamomile. Everyone talks about it for the migraine application and forgets all the other stuff it can be used for if chamomile isn’t available.

Welcome to the forum BTW. 🙂

Doc

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[Michelle KochStudentTopic Author]

Huh. That’s good to know, I guess I am on the right track after all. Thanks Doc! 🙂

[Granny.BStudent]

Having read this thread, could it also be said that Feverfew has the same calming properties and Chamomile as well?

[IdahoHerbalist]

Not nearly as strong. I would stick with chamomile for that. Chamomile tastes WAY better too! :nod:

[Michelle KochStudentTopic Author]

I’m thinking feverfew might be a helpful addition to herbal arthritis ointments and other autoimmune skin issues, like psoriasis, sjrogrens, vasculitis, and maybe even dermatitis herpetiformis (gluten rash). Ill have to try it. Ill let you know if it helps.

[IdahoHerbalist]

I have not had experience with those things you mention. I know that whenever Patrick talks about skin issues invariably the LIVER and NUTRITION come up as the issue/culprit. Might be good for relieving the symptom (dryness and itching) though.

[Michelle KochStudentTopic Author]

With autoimmune disorders, there is no cure, and they are genetic. The immune system makes antibodies that attack healthy tissue. For example, in celiac disease, antibodies against gluten — a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye–are formed in in the small intestine, which destroys the villi. A small percentage of people with celiac disease deposit those antibodies under the skin, resulting in a horrible, itchy rash. The only real treatment for celiac disease is to eliminate gluten from the diet. It takes several months for all of the antibodies to leave the body. It took me three weeks to stop scratching until I bled, the last time I ate wheat. I’m still covered in purple polka dots. Baking soda baths and Caladryl lotion help with the itching a little bit.

[Michelle KochStudentTopic Author]

Oh I just wanted to add: a healthy diet (whole, unprocessed foods) can help a lot with minimizing the symptoms of autoimmune disorders, however, each disorder is pretty specific to the organ systems involved. Lupus for example, will often attack the kidneys, joints, and skin. Celiac originates in the intestines, so probiotics can be very beneficial in healing the damage and regrowing the villi. (Without healthy villi you cannot absorb vitamins and minerals effectively, which causes a whole lot of other problems.)

[Michelle KochStudentTopic Author]

Okay so I mentioned that I would experiment with trying feverfew on my gluten rash (dermatitis herpetiformis), to see if it helps with the intense itching. The results are weakly positive, in that it did relieve the itching for a half hour or so, and then I had to reapply it. If this was the apocalypse, and I had no access to calamine lotion then yeah. Feverfew works. It’s best as a strong tea, chilled and applied cold with a cosmetic wipe. The cold infusion is actually quite nice on very itchy skin. Allow it to air dry before putting on other lotion or clothes. Reapply the moment the urge to scratch again arises. For me that’s every half hour.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Fundog wrote: Okay so I mentioned that I would experiment with trying feverfew on my gluten rash (dermatitis herpetiformis), to see if it helps with the intense itching. The results are weakly positive, in that it did relieve the itching for a half hour or so, and then I had to reapply it. If this was the apocalypse, and I had no access to calamine lotion then yeah. Feverfew works. It’s best as a strong tea, chilled and applied cold with a cosmetic wipe. The cold infusion is actually quite nice on very itchy skin. Allow it to air dry before putting on other lotion or clothes. Reapply the moment the urge to scratch again arises. For me that’s every half hour.

That’s what I would expect. Chamomile would be better.

Doc

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[IdahoHerbalist]

Maybe some chickweed into the mix as well?

[AnnettStudent]

Trying to clarify: so, is chickweed and chamomile best for skin that itches? If not, what would you suggest?

[IdahoHerbalist]

They would help RELIEVE the itching. Finding the root cause of the itching and resolving that would be the goal. If the itching is from some external thing (mechanical or chemical) then you are well on your way. If it is something internal (nutritional or disease) you may need to do some more investigation or take other herbs or medicines.

[Michelle KochStudentTopic Author]

In addition, different remedies help different people. For example, plantain seems to be most commonly recommended for insect bites, but I find gumweed to be the most helpful for my mosquito bites. Other folks respond better to calendula for rashes. Also, chamomile is related to ragweed, so if someone has a known allergy to ragweed, then chamomile might make the problem worse. As Steven said, getting to the underlying cause of the condition is essential to finding the most effective treatments.

[AnnettStudent]

Thank you. This is helpful!

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