A:

A combination of feverfew and ginger may be an effective treatment for some people with migraine.

A small study in the July issue of the journal Headache compared a specially prepared combination of these herbs to a placebo ("sugar pill"). The researchers wanted to know if feverfew-ginger is a better pain reliever than a placebo.

People in the study were placed in either the feverfew-ginger group or the placebo group. They kept track of how well the pills worked in a diary.

Of the people that took feverfew-ginger, 32% were pain free at 2 hours. Of the placebo group, only 16% were pain free at 2 hours.

It is likely that the ingredient that made the difference was the feverfew. Other studies have shown that feverfew taken every day can decrease the frequency and severity of migraine attacks in some people.

Feverfew can cause stomach and intestinal upset. Also, it may decrease blood clotting.

Before starting any herbal therapy, always check with your doctor or pharmacist to be sure that it is safe for you.