Growing Feverfew

Why is growing feverfew a valuable addition to your garden?  This lovely plant has earned its name for its ability to ease fever and its tonic affect on the immune system.  Better still, it's easy to grow.  Once you get it started, it's a low-maintenance plant and well worth the growing space.

Growing feverfew is a valuable addition to your garden.

Not only is this plant a pretty addition to your garden, but recent studies have found it to be effective in preventing migraines. 

Feverfew grows up to three feet tall with flowers that resemble daisies that bloom from midsummer to fall. The foliage has a nice smell. If you live in zones 1 through 5, you can grow feverfew easily. You can propagate feverfew from cuttings or grow it from seeds. 

European settlers brought feverfew to North America, and now it grows wild from Quebec to Ohio. Plus, it's a pretty plant, and people dry the flowers and add them to dried flower arrangements. 

So be sure to reserve a space in your self-reliant garden for some feverfew.  You'll be glad you did.  Here are eight reasons you should be growing feverfew in your homestead garden.

Eight Reasons You Should Grow Feverfew.

1.  It Eases Fever

Just as its name says, drinking an infusion of feverfew will help ease the discomfort of fever. 

By the way, making an infusion is the same as making a cup of tea.   Place about a teaspoon of the dried herb in a cup and cover it with hot water.  Allow it to steep for at least ten minutes and then sweeten it with honey. 

2.  It Eases Nervousness

Are you feeling edgy?  Make and drink an infusion of feverfew, and it might help ease nerves. While there has been a link between drinking feverfew tea and easing migraines, the link between feverfew and easing nerves is less certain. However, some swear it eases muscle tension.

3.  Great For Tummy Troubles

Feverfew works like a laxative to ease constipation.  Are you suffering from flatulence?  Drinking a feverfew infusion will help with that as well, along with easing gas pains.

Feverfew will also ease symptoms of nausea and vomiting as well as stimulate the appetite.

4.  It Helps With Menstrual Troubles

Drinking an infusion of feverfew will stimulate blood flow, especially to the pelvic area and uterus and has been used to stimulate menstruation, which is exactly why you should not drink feverfew if you are pregnant.

But in all other cases it is fine and will also help to ease menstrual cramps.

5.  It Can Be Used For Pain

Feverfew is a mild analgesic and can relieve both headaches and earaches.

6.  Useful For Easing Coughs

Drinking a feverfew infusion will also help ease a cough, as well as help with wheezing and difficult breathing.

7.  A Natural Insect Repellent

Feverfew is also effective in keeping the bugs away. Make a feverfew tincture by filling a small glass jar with enough fresh feverfew to fill it completely.  Cover it with vodka, and then take a butter knife and gently stir around the edges of the jar to clear out any glass bubbles.  Close the jar with a lid and store it in a cool, dark place for about three weeks, shaking it twice a day. 

At the end of that time, mix two teaspoonsful of this feverfew tincture with 1/2 pint of cold water to make a natural insect repellent.

8.  Ease the Pain of Insect Bites

The tincture doesn't just keep insects away, but is also healing. Apply your tincture to insect bites to relieve pain and swelling.

Tips on Growing Feverfew

The herb Feverfew will grow in any type of soil but prefers good drainage. It is a low-maintenance plant once it gets growing. Sow seeds directly into the soil in the spring and then thin to 2 to 3 inches apart.

Weed by hand, as the plants could be injured by hoeing. When harvesting feverfew, use the bark, dried flowers, and leaves. It's all good.

A Word of Caution...

I've already mentioned this, but I'm saying it again:  Do not take Feverfew if you are pregnant as it may cause a miscarriage.

Also, people were once encouraged to chew the leaves of Feverfew to ease symptoms, but doing so could cause mouth sores.  So just make an infusion instead.

Learn More About Medicinal Herbs

Learn About Self-Reliant Healing

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About the Author

My name is Sue Merriam, and I began the journey of self-reliant living more than three decades ago, which enabled me to stay home with my children. Fifteen years ago, I founded Joyful Homesteading to help others save money and face the future without fear. My goal is to give you practical, honest advice so you can save money and experience the joy of simple living. I hope you join me.

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