Ah Feverfew, it may be horribly bitter in taste but the value of it in your garden and on your homestead far outweighs this minor issue.
I initially started growing the lovely plant for the main purpose of having my own, homegrown pain reliever right out my back door. Let me tell you, it really does work. I have managed to get past the taste enough to even eat it fresh when needed, not a pleasant experience but well worth it for the end result.
Though my initial reasons for growing it were for its pain relieving properties, I quickly found that it is also anti-inflammatory and very helpful with digestive issues.
Upon further study, I discovered that it helps reduce fevers (hence the name I am guessing), relieves tinnitus, allergies, asthma, nausea, and dizziness. Is good for insect bites, psoriasis and other forms of dermatitis, and also helps with menstrual and labor problems in women.
Not only that, this pretty little plant with its daisy-like flowers helps deter certain pests from the gardens such as rodents and draws in the beneficial insects like bees and butterflies. If you look closely, you can see a butterfly at the top of this image here on one of the flowers:
The feverfew is a perennial that also very easily self seeds so once you start growing it, you will need to watch for many new plants erupting everywhere the next year.
Another plus for me is the beauty it adds to my gardens, though this year I decided not to grow it in my main garden, I am now regretting it as I miss those little white flowers that just gave my garden that added boost of color as seen in this photo from last year just behind the echinacea:
This year I only have the two plants on each end of my West Herb Garden and I am grateful for that:
I do have some young volunteers in my main garden that I have decided to keep so I can enjoy their beauty there again next year :)
EDIT: I had forgotten to say how I use this, thank you to those who asked! When it is growing, I eat it fresh, mostly the leaves but I will eat the flowers too (they taste only slightly better than the leaves), but the leaves have the most benefits. I also dehydrate it and make a tincture for taking during the winter months. Either way is quite effective. I will be doing more posts down the road about how I make tinctures so be watching for those! :D
O yes, and here is the quick video I did on feverfew for those who prefer to watch and listen:
Hope your Wednesday is going well and thank you for dropping in! ~Heidi
NOTE: I am NOT a doctor nor pretend to be one. Nothing I say should be used to replace professional medical counseling! Also, PLEASE do your OWN research!
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Thank you for this informative post! You may really help someone out here.
Upvoted!
Thank you!
Interesting...but how do you use it? Are you going to post a follow up to this one on how to prepare the plant for use?
I use it either fresh or in a tincture form. I will make sure to do a post on how I take my medicinal herbs in the future. :)
Thanks for posting this.
My seed order came in and among them is feverfew seeds! Just in time for the new moon planting window.
Feverfew, calendula, catnip, lemon balm, marshmallow, valerian, comfrey are few on my list of herbs that I'll be planting.
Between you and Guildbrook Farm I feel so empowered and medicine was one area I was lacking in my preps.
Not any more!
Thank you for your wisdom.
~D.
Wonderful! <3
The doctor just told me to take large amounts of ibuprofen twice a day for anti inflammatory results and that stuff is poison. It is no coincidence that I stumbled upon your article. I was not going to take the ibuprofen any way. I will see if I can get this to grow in my garden or greenhouse. And don't worry I will do my own research I'm a geek sometimes. Thank you for the information.
O man, yes, from what I understand, that stuff is one of the most toxic drugs on the market yet it is given to children and adults like candy. I also recommend catnip, it has a better flavor and for me it works as well as the feverfew
Heidi, what kind of pain is this good for? I'm asking because I have hand pain (probably a precursor of arthritis) and my hubby had a hip replacement surgery. Neither of us wants to take the prescription drugs from big pharma and are looking for something homeopathic. Thanks.
Hi Kate! I would say it should work great as it is also anti-inflammatory. As is catnip - which I actually prefer since it seems to work as well but has a much better flavor. More spicy than bitter.
Thanks, I'll get some and begin growing it as well.
I should put this On my list. Glad to hear it's perennial! I wonder how well it would work for nerve pain, that's the major pains my husband has.
I would say it should work pretty good as it seems to work well for all kind of pains and even many migraine sufferers find it helpful
I am going to have to get some now that I know they help for allergies as well! I just knew of the traditional pain and fever reducing properties (was never fond of the taste though) but this is a game changer! I hate having to rely on meds for allergies.
Thank you <3
Have you tried raw local honey for your allergies? I have read many times that it is suppose to help considerably. The funny thing about us is we just stopped taking allergy meds and little by little just stopped having problems with them. The most that happens is a sneeze or two in the spring time now.
Yes I take raw honey and pollen daily. I only take my allergy meds when my sinuses have had too much and I feel a headache coming. I am going to try adding a little colloidal silver to my neti pot see if that does anything and also the feverfew in tinctures :)
Yes,thanks:)
Do you mix it? Blend it? Eat it as is? How do you clean it before use? Which parts do I eat?
Silly me forgot to add that in the post...I was thinking I had since I had explained in the video. I will edit and add that in, thanks for asking :)
Well it now gives me a reason to watch the video 😌
Now a question about the tea...if I add sugar will it kill some of the bitter taste? Or honey?
I highly doubt that, it is pretty strong, that is why I take it as a tincture or raw, get it over with quicker that way! haha