Feverfew
Summary
Feverfew is a daisy-family herb taken to cut down migraine attacks. The largest trial found 0.6 fewer attacks a month than placebo, and a Cochrane review rated the overall evidence low quality and mixed. Side effects were mild, mainly stomach complaints and mouth ulcers. It should not be used in pregnancy, may slow clotting, and can cause allergy in people sensitive to ragweed.
Key facts
- A perennial daisy-family herb native to western Asia and the Balkans, different from American feverfew[1]
- Attacks fell from 4.8 to 2.9 a month on feverfew extract versus 4.8 to 3.5 on placebo, a difference of 0.6 attacks a month[3][2]
- Cochrane: 6 trials (561 patients), mixed results, low-quality evidence[2]
- Mild gastrointestinal effects and mouth ulcers; ragweed allergy, slowed clotting and pregnancy are the main cautions[2][1]
- 2 graded human outcomes on this page
- October 11, 2026
How it works
ProposedHow feverfew might reduce migraine attacks is not established in the sources cited here.[2]
What the human research says
Human trials only, one row per outcome. The form column shows what each trial actually tested. Grades follow our evidence-grading policy.
| Outcome | Effect | Grade | Best evidence | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Migraine frequency | Mixed | Grade C | Systematic review · n = 561 · 2015 People with migraine in 6 double-blind trials Form: Feverfew monopreparations · Dose: Varied across trials · Duration: Varied across trials Results could not be pooled; small trials were positive, two rigorous trials found no difference, and the largest trial found 0.6 fewer attacks a month. Evidence was rated low quality. | 25892430 (opens PubMed)Source [2] |
| Migraine attacks per month | Improved | Grade C | RCT · n = 170 · 2005 Adults with migraine (International Headache Society criteria) Form: Feverfew CO2 extract (MIG-99) · Dose: 6.25 mg three times daily · Duration: 16 weeks Attacks fell by 1.9 a month versus 1.3 on placebo (P=0.046); responders were more likely on feverfew (odds ratio 3.4), and possibly related adverse events were similar (8.4% vs 10.2%). | 16232154 (opens PubMed)Source [3] |
Forms
| Form | Elemental % | Absorption (human data) | GI tolerance | Studied for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feverfew leaf extract (capsules) | Varies | No head-to-head human absorption data in the sources cited here. | Mild gastrointestinal complaints and mouth ulcers in trials.[2] | Migraine-prevention trials |
| Fresh leaves (chewed) | Varies | Not studied in the sources cited here. | Chewing fresh leaves can cause mouth sores and irritation.[1] | Traditional use |
Studied doses
Doses studied in human trials ranged from 6.25 mg of a standardized CO2 extract three times daily (18.75 mg/day) for 16 weeks in the largest trial; other trials used different preparations and doses.[3][2]
Interactions
Published interactions only: each row cites a source. No row means none was found in our sources, not that a combination is safe.
Medicines
- Migraine medicinesNIH fact sheetNCCIH notes feverfew may interact with some medicines, including those used for migraine.[1]
Who should be careful
- Pregnancy
- NCCIH advises against feverfew in pregnancy because it may affect uterine contractions.[1]
- Before surgery
- Feverfew may slow blood clotting; NCCIH says to stop at least 2 weeks before scheduled surgery.[1]
- Ragweed allergy
- People sensitive to ragweed and related plants may react to feverfew.[1]
Talk to your pharmacist or clinician before starting a supplement, especially if you take prescription medicines.
Frequently asked questions
Does feverfew reduce migraines?
Possibly, slightly: the largest trial found 0.6 fewer attacks a month than placebo, and overall evidence is mixed and low quality.[3][2]
Is feverfew safe?
Trial side effects were mild, mainly stomach complaints and mouth ulcers, but it is not for use in pregnancy and may slow clotting.[2][1]
How much feverfew was studied?
The largest trial used 6.25 mg of a CO2 extract three times a day for 16 weeks.[3]
Is American feverfew the same plant?
No. American feverfew (Parthenium integrifolium) is a different plant.[1]
Sources
- [1]Feverfew (last updated February 2025). National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 2025. fact-sheet
- [2]Feverfew for preventing migraine. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2015. systematic-review
- [3]Efficacy and safety of 6.25 mg t.i.d. feverfew CO2-extract (MIG-99) in migraine prevention--a randomized, double-blind, multicentre, placebo-controlled study. Cephalalgia, 2005. RCT
What changed
- New monograph. Every PMID checked against NCBI E-utilities (title, journal and year from the PubMed record); each evidence row written from its abstract; intake and safety facts from the cited fact sheets.