Feverfew- How to Grow it & use it.
What is feverfew?
Feverfew is one of my favorite plants to grow and use because of its amazing benefits. Growing and and using feverfew is very easy!
Feverfew is apart of the daisy family and has been used for many centuries to treat many ailments! Its been know to treat (and prevent) headaches, migraines, fevers, cold and flu pain, and even colic in babies!
Feverfew is pain relieving, anti-inflammatory, and has diaphoretic (fever-breaking) properties. These amazing healing benefits means a hot cup of feverfew tea helps break fevers and treats the aches and pains that come with a cold or flu. For colic in babies, just a few drops of a cold cup of tea to help calm a colic baby, (so does chamomile, we use chamomile daily for our baby.)
hOW TO GROW IT?
Feverfew grows all over the United States and Europe. Feverfew is a perennial and loves sun but also does well in partial shade. You can sow your seeds 6-8 weeks before the last frost date indoor. Or sow straight into the ground after the last frost. These are the seeds we used and had great germination.
Feverfew only needs to be planted 1/4 ” deep. The seeds need light to germinate. The soil needs to be kept moist until the seeds germinate in 10-14 days.
Once your feverfew has reached several inches tall, you can transplant it after the last frost.
One of my favorite things about growing feverfew is that it handles droughts really well. You’ll want to keep your young feverfew plant well watered, but once your plant is established it’ll thrive!
Feverfew spreads and self seeds itself if you don’t pull the blooms before they go to seed.
Who shouldn’t use feverfew?
Feverfew shouldn’t be use by those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant it may cause uterine contractions. Or those who are on blood thinners, it can increase bleeding. People who are sensitive to ragweed could experience allergic reactions to feverfew. Always talk to your doctor if you’re unsure.
uSING FEVERFEW-
Feverfew can be used fresh in teas or be made into a tincture. Feverfew is edible but the leaves are very bitter if you eat them. You can either grow it and dry out your own plant or buy feverfew already dried out and ready to use. You can also buy feverfew tinctures already made if you don’t want to make your own. I love this tincture if you don’t want to make your own.
If you choose to dry it out yourself, Place your feverfew in a bunch, tie the ends together and hang it in a cool place. I dry most of our herbs and flowers out in our basement, away from the sunlight. It usually takes about 4-6 weeks for it to be fully dried out.
Once they are fully dried out I’ll take all the leaves and flowers off the stem and store them in a jar for when I’m ready to use them.
making a tincture-
Supplies:
80 proof vodka
fresh or dried feverfew
Cleaned and sterilized 8 oz jar
Amber Dropper
Cheese Cloth
Directions:
- Fill your jar all the way to the top. Push the leaves and flowers down to fit at many as you can into the jar.
- Once the jar is filled with the flowers and leaves, pour your vodka over the top till all of the feverfew is covered.
- If you are using a mason jar I highly recommend getting plastic lids from Walmart to avoid rusting. Make sure your lid it on tight and label your jar so you know when you made your tincture. Let your jar sit for 4-6 weeks out of sunlight.
- After 4-6 weeks your tincture is ready to be strained with a cheese cloth.
- Store your tincture in an amber jar and out of sunlight.
- Take 30-40 drops, up to 3 times per day. Can be taken directly or added to water or juice.
Disclaimer: I, Jess Turnquist, am not a medical professional and the content on my blog, my Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Tiktok page is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA. The information on this site is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult with your health care professional before treating yourself or anyone else. Neither I, Jess Turnquist, can be held liable for the choices and actions you as the reader make and/or the outcome of those choices and actions. As always, do your own research before taking anything.
