This wonderful natural medicine can be found growing in abundance during June - August in the UK.
With its tiny daisy flower heads and long stems, you may have walked by it and not even given it a second glance. But for thousands of years the tanacetum parthenium plant has been used as an effective treatment and prevention of migraines and headaches.
This pretty wild plant - though it looks tiny - packs a powerful punch!
Its ability to reduce pain, inflammation, fevers, toothache, arthritis pain, and a multitude of other ailments has earned it its more commonly known name of feverfew.
Feverfew contains a wide variety of compounds such as tanetin, which makes it hugely powerful as a natural medicine.
But its main active compound is parthenolide, which is found in the leaves of the plant.
Parthenolide seems to be behind most of the plants healing capabilities. These active compounds stop the production of prostaglandins, inhibit serotonin receptors and stop the widening of blood vessels in the brain, which all cause inflammation and contribute towards migraines.
Recent studies seem to show that feverfew also has anti-cancer capabilities too.
To use this free and powerful natural medicine, you can make a tea by steeping the fresh or dried leaves, or by creating an oil by infusing olive or coconut oil with the leaves and flowers.
The tea can be drunk and the oil can be applied to the skin, but be sure to do a small test first as feverfew is part of the asters family and some people may experience a particular sensitivity to it.
So when you’re out walking the dog, taking a stroll or even going to the shops, keep an eye out for magickal feverfew and add it to your natural medicine cabinet.
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Or you can listen to our in-depth discussion on 'The Crow's Nest' around similar themes called 'Witchcraft Practises for Health & Wellbeing' here.