The Effect of Feverfew Cultivated in Iran for the Prophylactic Treatment of Migraine: A Randomized Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: One of the most common types of headache is migraine that often begins before 30 years age. The use of complementary preventive treatments has been growing worldwide that can be decrease the frequency and severity of migraine attacks with minimal side effects. Tanacetum parthenium L. (common name: feverfew) from Compositae family have traditionally been used as a febrifuge and remedy for migraine prophylaxis. Objectives: In present study, the effect of feverfew cultivated in Iran has been studied as a prophylactic treatment of migraine in a placebo-controlled clinical trial during 3 months. Patients and Methods: Criteria for inclusion were migraine without aura diagnosed after a careful medical history-taking according to the International Headache Society (IHS) criteria. The Migraine Disability Assessment Scores (MIDAS) questionnaire is quite a useful tool in clinical trial that the patients were recognized for migraine impact at the baseline and end of the study. Results: In the case group, after three months of treatment with feverfew, the MIDAS score was reduced to 19.18 ± 4.02. Compared to control group, the changes in intensity and frequency of migraine, in the treatment group was significant, at the end of the study (P < 0.05). Regarding the safety of feverfew extract the incidence of side effects in the treatment group was similar to placebo. Conclusions: In conclusion, the extract of feverfew showed a significant migraine prophylactic effect with no adverse events.