Legend has it that this herb saved the life of someone who had the misfortune to fall off the Parthenon, the famous temple in ancient Greece (we have an imitation here in Nashville). Since that time, herbalists have used feverfew for a wide variety of problems. As its name suggests, it was used to help bring down a fever. The Greek herbalist Dioscorides is believed to have used this herb to treat arthritis (of interest to O's). In 1649, Culpeper recommended it for women as a "general strengthener of their wombs," and also noted that "it is very effectual for all pains in the head." In 1772, John Hill, another famous herbalist, wrote that "in the worst headache, this herb exceeds whatever else is known."

Feverfew was all but forgotten until 1978 when British newspapers told of a woman who had cured her migraines with feverfew leaves. The article caught the attention of serious medical researchers who decided to further examine this phenomenon. In 1985, the well-respected British medical journal, "Lancet" also reported that a carefully designed study proved what herbalists have known for centuries: feverfew can help prevent migraine headaches or lessen their severity. It is available in capsule form.

NOTE: It may take several months before migraine sufferers notice an improvement, but it seems to be well worth the wait. Some people taking feverfew have developed mouth ulcers, resulting in their discontinuing use.