Ah Feverfew, it may be horribly bitter in taste but the value of it in your garden and on your homestead far outweighs this minor issue.
I initially started growing the lovely plant for the main purpose of having my own, homegrown pain reliever right out my back door. Let me tell you, it really does work. I have managed to get past the taste enough to even eat it fresh when needed, not a pleasant experience but well worth it for the end result.
Though my initial reasons for growing it were for its pain relieving properties, I quickly found that it is also anti-inflammatory and very helpful with digestive issues.
Upon further study, I discovered that it helps reduce fevers (hence the name I am guessing), relieves tinnitus, allergies, asthma, nausea, and dizziness. Is good for insect bites, psoriasis and other forms of dermatitis, and also helps with menstrual and labor problems in women.
Not only that, this pretty little plant with its daisy-like flowers helps deter certain pests from the gardens such as rodents and draws in the beneficial insects like bees and butterflies. If you look closely, you can see a butterfly at the top of this image here on one of the flowers:
The feverfew is a perennial that also very easily self seeds so once you start growing it, you will need to watch for many new plants erupting everywhere the next year.
Another plus for me is the beauty it adds to my gardens, though this year I decided not to grow it in my main garden, I am now regretting it as I miss those little white flowers that just gave my garden that added boost of color as seen in this photo from last year just behind the echinacea:
This year I only have the two plants on each end of my West Herb Garden and I am grateful for that:
I do have some young volunteers in my main garden that I have decided to keep so I can enjoy their beauty there again next year :)
EDIT: I had forgotten to say how I use this, thank you to those who asked! When it is growing, I eat it fresh, mostly the leaves but I will eat the flowers too (they taste only slightly better than the leaves), but the leaves have the most benefits. I also dehydrate it and make a tincture for taking during the winter months. Either way is quite effective. I will be doing more posts down the road about how I make tinctures so be watching for those! :D
O yes, and here is the quick video I did on feverfew for those who prefer to watch and listen:
Hope your Wednesday is going well and thank you for dropping in! ~Heidi
NOTE: I am NOT a doctor nor pretend to be one. Nothing I say should be used to replace professional medical counseling! Also, PLEASE do your OWN research!
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