Veterinary medicine. - feverfew has been used in cats instead of aspirin (toxic to cats).
Dosage - 12 to 20 drops of glycerin based tincture (not alcohol)
1/2 tsp of tea per 20 pounds twice a day
Insect Repellent -
For repelling moths, the flower heads can be collected and placed in sachets or pomanders (a perforated box or bag for holding scents).
An infusion (tea) can be applied to the skin to repel insects. Usually the flowers are used for this. They contain pyrethrin, a chemical that is used in many insecticides and repellents.
Recipe for insect repellent - 2 tsp of tincture of feverfew in 1/2 pint of cold water. Apply to skin. Or use a double strength brew to bathe exposed areas and allow the tea to dry on the skin.
Flea rinse in pets - use a cool tea to rinse the pet.
Feverfew has been used as a disinfectant.
Feverfew flowers are attractive as a cut flower in floral displays. And the dried flower heads can be used in potpourri
Landscape plant -
Feverfew is easy to grow. It can be used as a garden plant, for borders, or even grown in walls. Feverfew can be grown potted inside the house as long as it does not get too warm. It can be invasive, even growing out of cracks in cement. I do not know where the original plant of feverfew is on my property, but it has spread to many areas, even with the heat and drought.
The plant might be used next to other plants such as roses to keep insects away. But it is suggested not to plant it next to plants that rely on bees for pollination.
You can use the seed, root divisions, or cuttings of the young shoots to start the plant. Plant it at the end of April, or in the autumn. It will grow in any good soil, but likes loamy, enriched soil. (My soil is anything but loamy, and has not been enriched.) It can be grown in full sun but if the summers are hot, provide shade for part of the day. The insect problems you may run into is damage from thrips. It is said that the plant is repellant to insects. This has not always been found to be true. The army worm invasion this summer included feverfew as part of lunch.
A disease that may affect the plant is powdery mildew.
If you are growing the plant for medicinal purposes, nip the flower buds, this will cause the plant to produce more leaves.
Cash Crop -
As a cash crop, feverfew has been considered as a possible alternative for those who have grown tobacco. The growing and harvesting of feverfew is not much different than tobacco. The curing sheds used for tobacco could be used to dry the feverfew.
Commercially grown feverfew is propagated as rooted cuttings or seed. The chemical, parthenolide, which is an active ingredient in the medicinal use of feverfew is affected by genetics, the age of the leaves, and general conditions. The roots have very little of this chemical, while the flowers have the most. (Fresh weight parthenolide - 840mg/kg of leaf and 5100mg/kg in the flower head)
Cooking - in some Italian cooking the bitterness of the leaves of feverfew is used. It also gives an aromatic scent to the food. Feverfew contains niacin and iron. It has also been used in some confections (sweets).
Liqueurs and wines - used to add a bitter note to the flavor of certain liqueurs and wines that are used for aperitifs(drinks used to stimulate the appetite).
Perfume - the essential oil is used.
Dye - The fresh stems and leaves of feverfew make a dye that is greenish-yellow using a chrome mordant (a chemical for fixing dyes).
Feverfew
planet - Venus
Purification - feverfew is planted around the home to purify the area and ward off disease. This may be due to the strong scent of the plant.
Spiritual healing - this use is to be expected. If a plant can heal the body, it should also be able to heal the spirit.
Protection - against colds, fevers, accidents, and for travelers - carry the herb.
The pungent odor of the plant is disliked by bees, so for protection against bee stings, a branch of feverfew may be held for this protection.
Love - flowers in charms or sachets
Feverfew pg. 1 - General information on Feverfew, Medicinal Uses
Feverfew pg. 2 - More Medicinal Uses, Precautions and Interactions, Dosages
Wolf Dog Circle Herbs - main page - Index, Disclaimer
