Feverfew Powder

Single-ingredient feverfew reference formula with 380 mg per serving, developed as a capsule, with a powder option.

Feverfew Powder is a reference formula for brands building a single-ingredient botanical product with an example amount of 380 mg of feverfew per serving. Feverfew is the only active, so the development work centers on the plant part and form of the raw material, the parthenolide content of an extract, and the capsule or powder system that carries it.

Capsule is the lead format because 380 mg of herb powder fits one standard capsule, with a powder version at 1,000 mg for brands that sell a drink mix. The reference labels range from 86 mg to 1,983 mg per serving and mix herb powders, extracts and liquids, so the page is built around a dried herb powder with a parthenolide-standardized extract as the alternative.

Ingredient Composition

IngredientPer ServingRaw Material FormAlternative Form (same amount of active)
Feverfew380 mg (example amount)Feverfew leaf and aerial-part powder; specification 380 mg per serving, plant part, particle size and moisture set with the supplierFeverfew Extract 0.5–1% Parthenolide, a different raw material with a stated marker and its own input weight

Amounts are stated as mg of feverfew material, not of parthenolide. At the same label weight an extract standardized to parthenolide carries a defined marker amount: 380 mg of a 0.5% extract carries about 1.9 mg of parthenolide and 380 mg of a 1% extract about 3.8 mg, so the form and grade are part of the specification.

Intended Benefits & Formula Rationale

This formula is designed for products positioned around traditional botanical comfort nutrition. Feverfew is included as the single active so that the form, the amount and the excipient system can be set without interaction with other actives.

Intended Benefit DirectionKey IngredientsFormulation Rationale
Head comfort researchFeverfewAn updated meta-analysis of nine double-masked, placebo-controlled trials with 899 participants reported that feverfew significantly reduced migraine attack frequency, with a non-significant trend for pain severity and no significant effect on associated symptoms such as nausea, and concluded that it may offer modest benefits in migraine prevention [1]. Evidence: Referenced
Head comfort researchFeverfewA Cochrane review described the evidence for feverfew in preventing migraine as mixed and of low quality, noting that three small positive trials were not confirmed by two rigorous trials, that the largest rigorous study showed a difference of 0.6 attacks per month, and that only mild and transient adverse events were reported [2]. Evidence: Mixed

The trials behind [1] and [2] used different feverfew extracts and populations, so amount, claims and target market for a finished product are brand decisions reviewed for each sales market.

Available Formats

The feverfew reference formula is built for a capsule version and a powder version; counts per serving are design choices that the brand can adjust.

FormatUnitPer ServingPack SizeOther Ingredients (typical)Suitability
Capsule1 capsule380 mg60 or 120 capsulesRice flour, flow agent, vegetable capsule shellLead format; herb powder in a standard fill
Powder1 stick pack1000 mg30 stick packsDiluent, sweetener, flavorDrink mix; the bitter taste needs masking

Raw Material Input & Fill (Design Estimate)

Design estimates. The input is the labeled feverfew weight at an assumed 100% of the powder as purchased, so each unit uses the feverfew weight shown below; the real input follows the certificate of analysis.

FormatRaw Material Input per UnitDesign FillBalance for ExcipientsVerification Before Scale-Up
Capsule380 mg feverfew powder430 mg per capsule50 mgPowder density, weight variation of the fill, flow properties, moisture
Powder1000 mg feverfew powder3200 mg per stick2200 mgDispersion, bitterness masking, moisture pickup

Tablet and liquid versions are separate projects, because a bulky leaf powder needs its own compression work and a tincture uses milliliter units and a different extraction base.

Formulation Considerations

Parthenolide and the form. The active marker of feverfew is parthenolide, which varies between herb lots and falls on storage. The specification names the marker, its assay method and the retained content at the end of shelf life, and the Cochrane review asks for stable feverfew extracts in future trials [2].
Bulky, bitter leaf powder. Feverfew leaf powder is bulky, bitter and takes up moisture. Capsule size, powder density and an anti-caking agent are set early, and powders need a strong sweetener and flavor system.
Tolerability. The trials in [2] reported mild and transient adverse events, most commonly gastrointestinal complaints and mouth ulcers, so the label and the serving instructions are written with that in mind.
Evidence and tier. The review in [1] notes moderate heterogeneity and risk of bias, and [2] rates the evidence as low quality. Each sales market’s dose limit and label wording are reviewed before development.

Customization Options

Brands adjust the feverfew amount, the form and grade, the format and the add-ons.

ParameterRangeNote
Feverfew per serving300, 380, 450 or 1000 mgExamples for the brand; capsules per serving or stick size change with the amount
Form and gradeHerb powder or parthenolide-standardized extractChanges the input weight and the specification
FormatCapsule or powderTablet and liquid are separate projects
Pack size30 to 120 unitsSet by the brand
Add-onsMagnesium, riboflavinMagnesium adds fill weight, and riboflavin colors the blend yellow

The pilot run confirms powder density and fill weight, bitterness masking in the powder version, and the parthenolide content of the first units against the specification.

Flavor Options

FormatSuggested FlavorsWhy
PowderPeppermint, lemon-honey, appleCool and sweet profiles cover the bitter taste of the leaf

Technical Status & Data Sources

ItemStatusDetails
Reference formulaNIH DSLDThe ingredient and amount come from a labeled product in the NIH DSLD (380 mg on the label of CF003159; example DSLD labels 20537, 77917, 206385). The label names the ingredient as feverfew; a dried herb powder is set as the form.
SpecificationSet in formulationFeverfew herb powder, 380 mg per serving; plant part, parthenolide content and method, moisture, pesticide and heavy-metal limits are fixed with the supplier. Unit size, fill weight and stability are set in formulation.
Data sourceNIH DSLDDSLD v9.4.0, downloaded 2026-01-10: 50,824 reference formulas merged from on-market labels with complete ingredient amounts. Counts show how labels are distributed.
Market reviewPer marketDose limits, labeling and claims are reviewed for each sales market before a finished product is developed.
ReferencesSources[1] Nelaturi V, Viswanatha GL, Shenoy RR, Khanna S, Krishnadas N. Systematic review and meta-analysis of Tanacetum parthenium: evaluating its efficacy in migraine relief. Nat Prod Res. 2025. DOI · PubMed<br>[2] Wider B, Pittler MH, Ernst E. Feverfew for preventing migraine. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;4:CD002286. DOI · PubMed

Related products

OEM/ODM Development Inquiry

Essencefield supports custom supplement formulation and OEM/ODM development, including ingredient selection, dosage adjustments, delivery formats, flavors, packaging, and commercial supply. Submit your project requirements below to explore customization options, sample development, and manufacturing solutions tailored to your brand and target market.