Searching for a simple feverfew tincture recipe? Feverfew tinctures have been around for millennia and are a key component of traditional herbal medicine. Using a simple recipe makes it easy to consume the natural health-boosting chemicals found in feverfew. It is a helpful herb for digestive issues, dispelling fevers, quelling a headache, or nervous tension in your muscles. Using this recipe will help you receive the benefits without too much hassle.
As the name suggests, feverfew was traditionally used to reduce fevers. The feverfew tincture recipe was used as a digestive herb, and a few drops were used before meals to prevent gas and after meals for heartburn.(1) Feverfew is also known to reduce inflammation. Chronic inflammation has been linked to certain diseases such as heart disease or stroke, and may also lead to autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Tinctures are often overlooked as a method of administering herbal medicines – most people are not as familiar with their use as they are with teas and capsules. Feverfew tinctures are easy to use. They do not need to be prepared multiple times per day like the tea and are not difficult in swallowing like a capsule. This feverfew tincture recipe is inexpensive to make and can be easily prepared at home. The simplest way to make a feverfew tincture is to submerge the herb in alcohol in a glass jar. Here’s the full recipe:
Feverfew Tincture Recipe
The time to prepare this tincture is about 5 minutes but it must sit for up to six weeks before using it.
- Glass jar with a lid (do not use metal lids as the alcohol will deteriorate it over time.)
- Fresh feverfew flower heads or dried feverfew
- 80 proof alcohol (we recommend brandy to combat the bitterness of the feverfew)
- 4oz Dark tincture/dropper bottles
- Fill your jar with about 1 cup of dried feverfew (1/2 if using fresh feverfew)
- Cover the feverfew with the alcohol then put the lid on.
- Lightly shake the jar and leave it in a dark cupboard for 6 weeks.
- Gently shake the jar every day or so (one healthy hueman recommends leaving in it a cabinet you use often to set as a reminder)
- After 6 weeks, strain the feverfew with a fine mesh strainer
- Then pour it into your dark dropper bottle.
How to Use
It is best to take the drops directly under the tongue. To use the feverfew tincture, fill the dropper with the liquid and drip it into the mouth, just under the tongue. This gets the herb directly into the bloodstream. If necessary, it is fine to dilute the tincture in a small amount of water or juice.
The bitter flavor of the feverfew plant can be a barrier to some. To make feverfew a more appetizing herb, be sure to extract it in brandy for a tincture and sweeten it slightly with raw honey for an elixir.
In general, tinctures can be incorporated after cooking into all sorts of meals and drinks:
- Juices
- Ice creams and sherbets
- Soups
- Gelatin
- Mashed potatoes and gravy
- Salad dressing
The feverfew tincture can be added to water or fruit juice and taken daily.
Dosage of feverfew tincture for infants: It is not recommended to give feverfew to children under 2.
Dosage of feverfew tincture for adults: Though optimal doses of feverfew have not been established, 5 to 20 drops are recommended.(2)
Feverfew tinctures have several health benefits however if you are seeking a more comprehensive tincture check out our aronia berry tincture recipe.
Feverfew Tincture Benefits
Feverfew has an interesting history. Ancient Greek physicians used it to reduce inflammation and treat menstrual cramps. Feverfew gained notoriety as a remedy for migraines. It was also used by women in labor to speed up the birth process by increasing contractions.
Menstrual Cramps
Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea) are throbbing or cramping pains in the lower abdomen. Many women have menstrual cramps just before and during their menstrual periods. Menstrual cramps occur when the uterine lining produces too much prostaglandin, a hormone that can cause pain and inflammation. Because Feverfew has been shown to reduce prostaglandin production, it may help ease menstrual cramps.(3)
Arthritis
Arthritis means joint inflammation, but the term is used to describe around 200 conditions that affect joints, the tissues that surround the joint, and other connective tissue. It is a rheumatic condition. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis. While there is conflicting evidence regarding the use of this herb to provide arthritis relief; Feverfew does possess potent anti-inflammatory properties, which help to prevent swelling and damage to the joints.(4)
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are substances that can prevent or slow damage to cells caused by free radicals. Feverfew also acts as an antioxidant, protecting the joint tissues against free radical damage and preventing damage to the membranes lining the surfaces of the bones. This reduces friction between the ends of 2 bones at a place where they meet to form a joint, which may help to provide long-term relief to persons suffering from arthritis.(5)
Feverfew is used for other ailments including sciatic nerve pain, lower blood pressure, lessen stomach irritation, stimulate appetite, improve digestion and kidney function.
Some studies have shown Feverfew’s effectiveness in the treatment of coughs, wheezing and difficulty breathing, pain, and inflammation caused by bites of insects.(6)
Feverfew Risks and Side Effects
- Feverfew may block iron absorption over time.
- Pregnant women should not take Feverfew because it may make the uterus contract.
- Breastfeeding mothers and children should not use Feverfew as it may block essential iron absorption for growth.
- Do not take Feverfew in combination with blood-thinning medication
- When taken over several weeks, Feverfew may cause gastrointestinal distress, mouth ulcers, and antiplatelet action.
