People living in rural England have made use of feverfew herb since Anglo-Saxon times, although the common name of tanacetum parthenium actually derives from the Norman-Frenck word febrifuge. While some gardeners consider it an invasive weed, feverfew herb is actually quite attractive, with blooms resembling miniature daisies.
Organic herbs such as bulk feverfew herb are classified among medicinal herbs that act as anti-inflammatories, and have traditionally been used in folk medicine to treat headaches as well as arthritis and disorders of the digestive tract. Dried feverfew herb is boiled in water, after which the resulting herb decoction is allowed to cool. It can then be taken as a liquid medication.
The active ingredient in tanacetum parthenium is called parthenolide. Although benefits of the natural herb are unproven, medical research done in 2006 indicate that parthenolide - which occurs in feverfew herb in high concentrations - induces apoptosis, or "cell-death" in leukemia cells, making it a potential treatment for some forms of cancer, although more research is needed to confirm these effects.
When you buy herbs in bulk, such as wholesale feverfew herb, the Starwest reputation for purity is your guarantee. However, please note that medical claims for any dried herbs - even organic herbs - are not usually confirmed or approved by the FDA. Therefore, if you are purchasing bulk herbs for therapeutic reasons, it is best to consult with a trained, licensed herbalist before attempting to self-medicate.