Feverfew

Feverfew is a wonderful plant. It looks a lot like Chamomile and the two are often confused. It's easy to grow and grows well in most areas, up to zone 5, I believe. You can grow it in the ground or in a pot. It likes full sun but can burn if it's to hot and does best in partial shade in hotter areas.

Feverfew has a couple of extremely beneficial actions. It works much the same way as aspirin as a mild fever reducer and can help relieve inflammation. Because of these actions it makes a good gentle fever tonic and works very well for many people who suffer from Migraines and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Some people swear by eating a fresh leaf or two a day to keep migraines away but many people find that the harsh oils cause ulcers in the mouth. However, It can be easily dried and used in teas and compresses.

To dry, just cut off stems with leaves, rinse well in cool water and hang them to dry. when dry and brittle just crumble off the brittle leaves and that's your herb. Stems, leaves and flowers can be used.

You can add about a teaspoon of dry feverfew to a tea ball for a cup of tea. It mixes well with most other herbs and can be sweetened.

To make a compress, simply fill an open weave cloth (such as cheesecloth or gauze) with the dry herb, dampen with very cold water and apply to the painful areas of head or painful joints. You can also dampen then freeze for a cold compress or if you find heat more beneficial, dampen with warm water.

Please, always check with you Care Provider before using any medicinal. Feverfew should never be taken if pregnant or by anyone taking any sort of blood thinning medications.

Taking responsibility for your own health is a powerful step toward whole, natural health but please do so with common sense and remember to check everything with a health professional.