Parthenolides/Feverfew
<p>Bay leaf has been used as an herbal remedy for headaches. It contains compounds, called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parthenolide" title="Parthenolide">parthenolides</a>, which have proven useful in the treatment of migraines.
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<p><b>Parthenolide</b> is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sesquiterpene_lactone" title="Sesquiterpene lactone">sesquiterpene lactone</a> of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germacranolide" title="Germacranolide">germacranolide</a> class which occurs naturally in the
plant <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feverfew" title="Feverfew">feverfew</a> (<i>Tanacetum parthenium</i>), after which it is named. </p>
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It is found in highest concentration in the flowers and fruit. </p>
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Feverfew is used in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbalism" title="Herbalism">herbalism</a> and is purportedly useful for a variety of ailments. </p>
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Many vendors of feverfew remedies specify the content of parthenolide in their products, because it is believed to be the primary chemical constituent responsible for biological activity.<sup id="cite_ref-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parthenolide#cite_note-0">[1]</a></sup></p>
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Lack of solubility in water and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioavailability" title="Bioavailability">bioavailability</a> limits the
potential of parthenolide as a drug. Drug researchers are trying to develop synthetic analogs instead that will be absorbed to a more useful extent.<sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parthenolide#cite_note-1">[2]</a></sup></p>
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<b>Feverfew</b> (<i>Tanacetum parthenium</i>; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synonymy" title="Synonymy" class="mw-redirect">syn.</a> <i>Chrysanthemum parthenium</i> (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Linnaeus" title="Carl Linnaeus">L.</a>) <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pers." title="Pers." class="mw-redirect">Pers.</a>, <i>Pyrethrum parthenium</i> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Edward_Smith" title="James Edward Smith">Sm.</a>) is a traditional <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbalism" title="Herbalism">medicinal herb</a> which is found in many old gardens, and is also occasionally grown for ornament. </p>
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The plant grows into a small bush up to around 46 cm (18 in) high with citrus-scented leaves, and is covered by flowers reminiscent of daisies. It spreads rapidly, and they will cover a wide area after a few years. </p>
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It is also commonly seen in the literature by its synonyms, <i>Chrysanthemum parthenium</i> (L.) Bernh. and <i>Pyrethrum parthenium</i> (L.) Sm. </p>
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It is also sometimes referred to as <i>bachelor's buttons</i> or <i>featherfew</i>.<sup id="cite_ref-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feverfew#cite_note-0">[1]</a></sup></p>