The name Feverfew is a corruption of Febrifuge which is a Latin word meaning “fever reducer”.  It is a composite plant growing in every hedgerow, with numerous, small, daisy-like heads of yellow flowers with outer white rays.  The stem is about 2 feet high, finely furrowed and hairy.  The leaves are downy with short hairs or nearly smooth and are about 4 1/2 inches long by 2 inches broad.  The delicate green leaves are conspicuous even in mild winter.  The whole plant has a strong and bitter smell, and is particularly disliked by bees.

A member of the sunflower family, it has been used for centuries in European folk medicine as a remedy for headaches, arthritis, and fevers.  As a stimulant it is useful as an emmenagogue. It is also employed in hysterical complaints, nervousness and lowness of spirits, and is a general tonic.   In a mixture, it is said to be good for coughs, wheezing and difficult breathing.  A tincture made from Feverfew and applied locally immediately relieves the pain and swelling caused by bites of insects and vermin.