What is it used for?
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine (as a stomachic) to aid digestion [Source note 2].
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve headaches (Winston and Kuhn 2008; Boon and Smith 2004; Williamson 2003; Cook 1869).
(Used in Herbal Medicine to) help(s) prevent migraine headaches [Source note 3].
(Used in Herbal Medicine to) help(s) reduce the severity and/or frequency of migraine headaches and associated symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, when taken as a prophylactic [Source note 4].
The above uses can be combined on the product label if from the same traditional or non-traditional system of medicine (e.g., Used in Herbal Medicine to help prevent migraine headaches and to help reduce the severity and frequency of migraine headaches and associated symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, when taken as a prophylactic).
For multi-ingredient products:
To prevent the product from being represented as a “traditional medicine”, any indicated traditional use claim must refer to the specific active ingredient(s) and recognized traditional system of medicine from which the claim originates when 1) both traditional and modern claims are present or 2) when claims originate from multiple systems of traditional medicine (e.g. Feverfew is traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve headaches).
When ALL of the active ingredients (MIs) in the product are used within the SAME identified system of traditional medicine AND the product makes ONLY traditional claims, listing of MIs in the traditional claim(s) is not required.
Who does this guide cover?
Adults 18 years and older
How is it taken?
Oral
Which forms are covered?
this reference excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of references Guidance Document.
Digestive aid; Headache relief
Migraine prevention; Reduction of severity, frequency and symptoms of migraines when taken as a prophylactic
The only acceptable dosage forms are: Capsules; Tablets.
Quantities
Digestive aid; Headache relief
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powdered, Non-Standardized Ethanolic Extracts (Dry extract, Tincture)
50 – 250 milligrams of dried herb top and/or leaf, per day [Source note 5].
Method of preparation: Powdered standardized
50 – 250 milligrams of dried herb top and/or leaf per day, standardized to 0.2 - 2 % parthenolide (dry weight); Not to exceed 200 milligrams of dried herb top and/or leaf, per single dose and 4 milligrams of parthenolide, per day [Source note 6].
Migraine prevention; Reduction of severity, frequency and symptoms of migraines when taken as a prophylactic
Methods of preparation: Powdered, Powdered standardized
50 – 600 milligrams of dried herb top and/or leaf, per day; Not to exceed 200 milligrams of dried herb top and/or leaf, per single dose [Source note 7].
Standardized potency: 0.2 – 2 % parthenolide (dry weight); Not to exceed 4 milligrams of parthenolide, per day.
How is it used?
All products
Take with or after food [Source note 8].
Reduce the dosage gradually if treatment is to be paused or discontinued [Source note 9].
Products to be taken in divided doses
Gradually increase the dose until desired effect is observed/obtained [Source note 10].
How long is it used?
Products providing 250 mg or less of dried herb top and/or leaf, per day
Ask a healthcare professional for use beyond 16 weeks [Source note 11].
Products providing more than 250 mg of dried herb top and/or leaf, per day
Ask a healthcare professional for use beyond 8 weeks [Source note 12].
Migraine prevention; Reduction of severity, frequency and symptoms of migraines when taken as a prophylactic
Use for at least 4 to 6 weeks to see beneficial effects [Source note 13].
Warnings and precautions
All products
Ask a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen.
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are taking blood thinners [Source note 14].
Products providing 250 mg or less of dried herb top and/or leaf, per day
Ask a healthcare professional/ physician before use if you are breastfeeding [Source note 15].
When should it be avoided?
Products providing 250 mg or less of dried herb top and/or leaf, per day
Do not use if you are pregnant [Source note 16].
Products providing more than 250 mg of dried herb top and/or leaf, per day
Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding [Source note 17].
Possible side effects
All products
Stop use if hypersensitivity/allergy occurs [Source note 18].
When using this product you may experience sore mouth, mouth ulcers and/or gastrointestinal discomfort/disturbances [Source note 19].
Storage
Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the applicable product regulations.
Preparation details
Ingredient identity, preparation requirements, and other details that define the scope of this guide.
Ingredients and preparations
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information / Source material(s) | Source information / Part(s) | Source information / Preparation(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tanacetum parthenium | Feverfew | Tanacetum parthenium |
| Dry |
References: Proper name: USDA 2024; Common name: Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Source information: Barnes et al. 2007; Bradley 1992.
Other ingredients
Must be chosen from the current source ingredient database and must meet the limitations outlined in that database.
Preparation and quality requirements
The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the source authority source’s product quality guidance.
The active ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the source ingredient database.
Guide change history
Updates to this SupplementSafety.org guide.
Minor updates
Updated guide wording, organization, and source presentation. Added our editorial change history.
Initial release
Initial SupplementSafety.org guide prepared from source reference material.
Validation: Not yet completed. Editorial updates do not constitute clinical validation.
Sources
Source information
This guide organizes source material about uses, preparations, amounts, and precautions. Read the conditions alongside each statement; the information may apply only to particular preparations or populations.
The source document includes supporting references. We have not independently summarized or assessed every cited study for this guide.
- Source document version
- December 19, 2025
- Source captured
- Aug 15, 2026
- Editorial work
- Editorial preparation. Independent clinical review has not been recorded for this guide.
Full citations are available through the link above. Verification is required to open them; reading this guide does not require verification.
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Explore our supplement–medication interaction checker. Its coverage and review status are shown with the results; a missing finding does not establish that a combination is safe.