Feverfew, The Ultimate TEOTWAWKI Pain Killer That Grows Everywhere

Another one of those "junk weeds" that gets rooted up, poisoned or run over by humans complaining about migraines ...

It grows wild everywhere in the Americas and throughout the known world and is the perfect replacement for aspirin when you do not have access to conventional medicines. You can boil it as a tea, mix it into a tincture and store it or just chew it on the spot when you really need some pain relief.

I guarantee you that you will still be able to find feverfew flowers even if barely anything else is growing in the post-apocalyptic environment. The flower thrives on wild soil untended and manages to eke out an existence where there is sunlight and moisture on a regular basis.

Feverfew is another one of those astonishing natural marvels - a scrappy little plant with a big reputation for curbing pain and helping to reduce inflammation. Known scientifically as Tanacetum parthenium, it’s been helping mankind to soothe their aches for centuries.

The plant is in line with the Vault-Co tradition, in seeking the cheapest/simplest/ubiquitous and most instantaneous panacea solution for any problem, it’s the go-to analgesic when the world gets messy, pharmacies are out of reach and you’re feeling like crap. Whether it’s a pounding migraine, creaky joints, or general malaise, it’s the intuitive option in a crisis. It has progressed from ancient roots of medicine (including the American Indians) to a modern alternative to those things made by doctors which have far worse side effects but few benefits over this wild-growing flower.

It’s a member of the Asteraceae family (think daisies and sunflowers) and it hails from the sunny hills of southeastern Europe and western Asia. It sprouts in the Balkans or along the Mediterranean coast, basking in the sun for thousands of years. It thrives when even grass around it has died and is considered ineradicable in some quarters for how tough it is in all environments, sometimes seen flourishing even in winter where there are exposed patches of soil peeking out under snow! Ancient Greek and Roman healers swore by it and they used it to tame all manner of fevers, headaches, and even menstrual cramps. The name comes from the Latin febrifugus, meaning “fever reducer,” but it’s much more than that. Over time, humans likely transported it across Europe and it soon hitched rides to North and South America, Australia, and beyond - becoming a global citizen. Now, it’s a tough perennial that pops up in gardens, roadsides, and wild patches almost everywhere you look. You’ve probably looked at it a million times without realizing it has powerful pharmaceutical properties. It is a member of the daisy family and is sometimes referred to as “wild chamomile.” Feverfew often grows alongside roads and near wooded areas and in small patches of grass near bodies of water.

You can recognize it by its small white flowers and yellow-green leaves that are arranged alternately along the round stem. It can be misidentified as chamomile, which is hardly a fatal mistake because the other stuff is benign anyway. Unlike actual chamomile, this one made into a tea really does soothe you and relaxes the body, making it easier to fall asleep.

Yep, that’s it! You’ve seen it and thought “daisies” but they are slightly different in appearance and vastly different when taken internally. The action is almost immediate and the medicine is excellent at crossing the blood-brain barrier. For this reason (when you can) make certain they have not been sprayed with pesticide, which could cross into the brain with them. By themselves they clear up migraines better than prescription drugs.

The leaves and flowers are packed with sesquiterpene lactones, especially parthenolide, which is likely the “secret ingredient” against pain and inflammation. Parthenolide messes with things like serotonin and prostaglandins in your body, which can trigger migraines or make your joints ache. By calming those down, it helps reduce the throbbing and swelling that make you miserable. In addition, the flavonoids and volatile oils pitch in to soothe muscle spasms, ease digestion, and even fight off some microbes. In a crisis, when painkillers like ibuprofen are nowhere to be found, you will be accessing a natural alternative that’s been battle-tested for centuries. Your fellow survivalists will have their jaws drop when you show them how this panacea was always all around them and they didn’t even know it.

Now we’re going to explain how to search for them in the wild. Remember, it’s almost never hidden, usually in plain sight. Sunny spots with well-drained soil are optimum so scope out disturbed areas like roadsides, field edges, or abandoned lots. It’s a short perennial, usually 30 to 80 cm tall with feathery, yellow-green leaves that smell citrusy or bitter when you crush them. You can learn to correctly identify them by smell alone. The flowers are card—small, daisy-like blooms with white petals and yellow centers, clustered in flat-topped bunches. It often blooms most from May to August and sometimes well into October in warmer climates. Be careful, because again though it looks superficially like chamomile, the scents and leaf shape set it apart. Chamomile’s leaves are finer, and it smells sweeter. If you’re unsure, rub a leaf and sniff; the sharp, bitter aroma is unmistakable. That’s the feverfew plant you are holding.

Make sure you’re in a clean area — avoid plants near polluted roads or sprayed. Dangerous chemicals can travel with the feverfew into the brain alongside it; the same thing that makes it so effective can also serve to move poisons across the brain membrane.

Pick spots that look untouched by chemicals. If you’re looking in a place that might have been subject to chemical warfare, definitely avoid all plants. Timing matters too; harvest leaves and flowers when they’re fresh and vibrant, ideally in the morning after the dew dries but before the sun gets too intense. This is when the parthenolide content is at its peak. Use scissors or your fingers to snip off the top third of the plant, including leaves and flower heads, but leave enough for the plant to keep growing. You’ll want to wear gloves if you’re sensitive, as the sap from the fresh leaves can irritate some people’s skins. Once you’ve got a good handful, you’re ready to turn it into a potent pain-relieving tincture.

Making a feverfew tincture is essentially like bottling the pain-fighting powers for easy use at some future time - especially in a crisis when you need something shelf-stable. Start with fresh leaves and flowers as they pack the most punch. Chop them finely to release the compounds — about 1 part plant material by weight to 4 parts 80% ethanol (like a high-proof vodka) by volume. For example, 100 grams of chopped feverfew needs about 400 mL of alcohol. In the Balkan wars it was often made with any drinking alcohol they could find. Pack the plant material into a clean glass jar, pour in the alcohol until it covers everything, and seal it tightly. Shake it gently for a few minutes to suffuse it all together. Store it in a cool, dark place for 2-4 weeks, shaking it daily to mix things up. After that, strain it through cheesecloth into a dark glass bottle to protect the active ingredients from light. You’ve now got a concentrated tincture ready to tackle pain whenever you need it.

Like aspirin, it is theoretically possible to overdose if too concentrated, but if mixed at the ratios described above it is almost impossible. I once made some when deer hunting with my father at his cabin and tried to crush as much of the flower as I could and then mixed it with Everclear and some olive oil. It could be I have never drunk alcohol and can’t abide much liquor or it could be concentration of the plant but when drinking only a capful (probably way too much) I felt very nice when it suffused me. Felt similar to aspirin but better. Very fast to reduce swelling all over.

Harvesting them requires no special tools - but a pair of scissors comes in handy to trim them off selectively. If you are foraging wild, don’t uproot them and leave some unharvested. In only a week or two they may have grown back or even blossomed because you groomed some of the stems and stimulated them.

Before we get to dosing, a quick heads-up: it’s not for everyone. If you’re allergic to ragweed, chamomile, or other Asteraceae plants, it could cause a reaction … so test a small amount first. Pregnant folks should steer clear, as it can stimulate uterine contractions, which isn’t safe during pregnancy nor is alcohol, period. Like any blood thinner it can slow blood clotting so if you’re on blood thinners or facing surgery, talk to a doctor first. Long-term use might lead to “post-feverfew syndrome” if stopped suddenly — rebound headaches or joint stiffness - so taper off gradually if you’ve been using it for a while. Mouth sores or irritation can happen if you chew the fresh leaves, which is why tinctures or capsules are often much easier and safer for those prone to reactions to alkaloids and similar plant products.

For migraines, it’s a rockstar when used preventatively. Research shows it can reduce the frequency and severity of attacks, though results vary because not all feverfew products are standardized. A typical dose is 100-300 mg of dried leaf capsules (standardized to 0.2-0.4% parthenolide) taken 1-4 times daily. For tinctures, try 5-15 drops diluted in water, 2-3 times daily for prevention. If you feel a migraine coming on, take 10-20 drops at the first sign, which will be quicker relief than waiting until it is full-blown. It might take 4-6 weeks of daily use to see fewer migraines, but sure enough there are studies that show this stuff can cure them permanently, which you cannot expect even of aspirin.

For joint aches, like those from arthritis or chronic injuries, it works by calming inflammation and easing muscle tension. A 2019 study suggested feverfew might help with tension headaches and joint pain in kids and teens - adult data is spottier. Try 60-120 drops of a 1:1 tincture (1 part feverfew to 1 part alcohol by weight/volume) twice daily, or 60-120 drops of a 1:5 tincture twice daily. Capsules at 50-150 mg daily can also help, especially if combined with other anti-inflammatory herbs like willow bark. You might notice less stiffness over a few weeks, but don’t expect instant relief — it’s more about long-term support for people with long-term complaints.

General pain, like muscle soreness or menstrual cramps, is another area where it works pretty fast. It has antispasmodic properties can ease cramps fast — some folks report relief from menstrual pain in just 10 minutes after chewing my leaves! For tinctures, 10-30 drops in water, 2-5 times daily, can help with muscle spasms, back pain, or even sciatica. For chronic pain, like fibromyalgia or nerve pain, start low with 5-10 drops and increase as needed, watching for side effects like nausea or bloating. Capsules at 100-200 mg daily are another option for steady relief.

In an emergency, when you can’t get to a pharmacy, it is really a lifesaver. Imagine a scenario where supply chains are down, and your usual pain meds are gone. A tincture stored in a cool, dark place can last years, making it perfect for a crisis kit. For sudden headaches or joint flare-ups, 15-30 drops of tincture every few hours can take the edge off. If you’re scavenging fresh leaves, chewing 1-3 leaves at the first sign of pain can work, but watch for mouth irritation. The bitter taste isn’t fun, so mixing the tincture with water or honey helps it go down easier. This is similar to aspirin which is quite bitter when chewed.

One of these days you’re going to be in the middle of nowhere, run out of meds, run out of opiates, run out of aspirin and fighting a whopping headache and you’re going to say … “I know this sounds crazy but once I read on Vault-Co that these little flowers I am standing on make excellent painkillers. I am so glad I read that article so many years ago.” You reach down, put a few in your mouth and chew them and - bang - you’re suddenly feeling okay to continue.

It’s also versatile for other crisis-related maladies. Got a fever from an infection? The antipyretic properties of feverfew can help cool you down — try 10-20 drops of tincture every 4 hours or a tea made from 1 tablespoon of my dried leaves steeped in hot water for 30-60 minutes. For digestive issues like cramps or gas, which can flare up under stress, 5-15 drops of tincture can soothe your gut. Even insect bites or minor skin irritations can benefit from a diluted tincture applied topically, thanks to the documented antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory powers.

Dosage in a crisis depends on your tolerance. For general pain relief, 10-30 drops of 1:1 tincture 2-4 times daily is a safe range for most adults. Kids over two might use half that but check with a doctor if possible. For acute pain, like a sudden headache, you can go up to 60 drops every few hours. Don’t overdo it — more doesn’t always mean better. Capsules are trickier to dose precisely in an emergency, so tinctures are ideal for flexibility. Always start low and adjust up, watching for side effects like stomach upset or dizziness. These side effects are also found with aspirin in big doses.

Storage is key to keeping it potent. Keep your tincture in dark glass bottles in a cool, dry place to preserve the parthenolide content. Capsules or dried leaves should be sealed in airtight containers away from sunlight. If you’re prepping for a crisis, make a big batch of tincture and store it in small, portable bottles — think 50 mL vials for easy carrying. Check your stash every year; tinctures can last 2-5 years if made right, but fresh is always best for maximum pain relief.

Self-reliance is a powerful option for medication when society breaks down. When your children need pain relief and you can’t access anything else, alternatives like feverfew are manna from heaven. It’s easy to grow in a garden — full sun exposure, well-drained soil, pH 6.0-6.7, and you’re golden. If society’s crumbling and you’ve got a patch of dirt, plant it from seeds or cuttings and it will be there for you season after season. It even self-pollinates so you don’t need bees, but the strong scent can keep them away from nearby plants, so plan your garden layout carefully.

In a crisis, when the drugstore’s a distant memory, this miracle “weed” that blooms in the wild can help you keep the pain at bay. The people around you will be thankful they know somebody who just takes a short walk in the woods and comes back with a bag of pain relief. Even willow trees for bark can be difficult to source at times but feverfew is often labeled a “nuisance” plant because it is found nearly everywhere!

You can’t help but marvel at how God has turned the entire world into a gigantic commissary for sustenance, antibiotics, pain relief and so much more. All you need to do is see with your eyes what is already there.

Update: I forgot to mention it in this article when it was published but of course feverfew is an almost ideal candidate for a “wild garden” in the woods or unused land somewhere known to you. The government could be looking for “food hoarders” (Agenda 2030 phrase) and they will never know they are walking across a field in the forest that contains wild potatoes, tubers, painkillers, antibiotics, small fruits, protein grains, superfood greens and much more. It’s an invisible supermart with a pharmacy that keeps inventory all by itself year round. It all just looks like weeds and when their radio supervisor asks them to report in, they say “We swept the woods nearby and there is nothing out here but these little flowers and weeds.”

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Psalms 104:24 KJV

O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

• Regards, Tex