How Does Feverfew Work?
Even though a lack of consensus remains about the exact cause of migraine headaches, recent medical research and drug development have focused on the role of platelets and the release of substances they contain. Platelets, which are a normal part of the blood and involved in clotting, appear to behave abnormally in migraine sufferers. Platelets appear to over-aggregate prior to a migraine and then release a substance known as serotonin. Serotonin, in turn, causes abnormal blood vessel tone (primarily dilation) noted during a migraine attack. Inflammatory substances are also released locally during a migraine and probably contribute to the severity of an attack. Feverfew, and specifically parthenolide, act to inhibit over-aggregating. More importantly, is their blockage of serotonin from platelets as well as the production of inflammatory substances. The cumulative result is a normalization of blood vessel tone and a reduction in the severity and frequency of migraine headaches. Use of
