Four different wordings of the same question appear in the live search data for feverfew, and they all ask 1 thing about chamomile. The answer has 2 halves.
They are different plants with different uses. They are also both in the daisy family, which is why 1 allergy caution covers both.
Quick Answer: Is Feverfew the Same as Chamomile?
No. Feverfew is Tanacetum parthenium and chamomile is Matricaria chamomilla or Chamaemelum nobile. Both belong to the Asteraceae or daisy family and both produce small white flowers with yellow centres, which is why the 2 get confused. The shared family is also why a ragweed or daisy allergy is a caution for either.
Key Takeaways
- Feverfew and chamomile are 2 plants, from 2 different genera.
- Both belong to Asteraceae, which is 1 shared plant family.
- Both of the 2 produce small white flowers with yellow centres.
- A daisy-family allergy is a caution for either of the 2.
- Feverfew is studied for migraine; chamomile for 2 other uses.
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Two Different Plants
The confusion is understandable and the botany is straightforward.
| Feverfew | Chamomile | |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name | Tanacetum parthenium | Matricaria chamomilla or Chamaemelum nobile |
| Family | Asteraceae | Asteraceae |
| Flowers | Small white, yellow centre | Small white, yellow centre |
| Part used | Leaves | Flowers |
| Main studied use | Migraine prevention | Sleep, and acute migraine in 1 review |
Same family, different genus, different part of the plant. What feverfew is comes first, in the feverfew overview page.
Why the Shared Family Matters
This is the part of the answer with a practical consequence rather than a botanical one.
- The family: Asteraceae, the daisies and composites.
- Also includes: Ragweed, chrysanthemums and marigolds.
- The caution: Cross-reactivity in people allergic to those 3.
- Applies to: Both feverfew and chamomile.
Anyone who reacts to ragweed should treat both plants with the same care, which is the useful answer hiding inside a question that looks purely botanical. The full caution list is in the allergy and interaction cautions.
What Each Is Studied For
A 2020 systematic review of 19 randomized studies happened to cover both plants, which makes the comparison unusually clean.
| Herb | How the review described it |
|---|---|
| Feverfew | Findings on efficacy were mixed |
| Chamomile | Positive preliminary findings, as an acute treatment |
| Butterbur | Positive, albeit limited |
| Menthol or peppermint oil | Positive preliminary findings, acute use |
| Overall | Risk of bias high for many of the 19 studies |
Chamomile's migraine signal there was for treating an attack, while feverfew's whole literature is about preventing them, so they are not competing for the same job.[1]Herbal treatments for migraine: A systematic review of randomised-controlled studies — Phytotherapy Research (2020) View source
Telling Them Apart
If you have a plant in front of you, 3 features usually settle it.
- Leaves: Feverfew leaves are broader and lobed.
- Chamomile leaves: Finely divided and feathery.
- Smell: Chamomile is apple-scented; feverfew is bitter and sharp.
- Height: Feverfew usually stands taller and bushier.
The growing and tea questions are covered in the feverfew plant page, including why leaf preparations lack dose control.
Which One You Actually Want
The answer depends entirely on what you are trying to do.
| Goal | The relevant plant |
|---|---|
| Preventing migraine attacks | Feverfew, with a 0.6-attack difference |
| Calming before sleep | Chamomile, traditionally |
| Treating an attack in progress | Neither reliably; chamomile had a preliminary signal |
| Avoiding a daisy allergy | Neither |
Feverfew's best trial produced a difference of 0.6 attacks a month against placebo, which is the realistic ceiling on what the prevention option offers.[2]Feverfew for preventing migraine — Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2015) View source
- Prevention: Feverfew, 0.6 attacks a month better.
- Sleep: Chamomile, traditionally.
- Daisy allergy: Neither of the 2.
Its safety record in that same literature is undramatic, with adverse events of 8.4% against 10.2% on placebo.[3]Efficacy and safety of 6.25 mg t.i.d. feverfew CO2-extract (MIG-99) in migraine prevention - a randomized, double-blind, multicentre, placebo-controlled study — Cephalalgia (2005) View source If prevention is the goal, a 1000 mg feverfew capsule is the version to look at.
Seek Urgent Assessment Rather Than Trying Either Plant If
- A sudden severe headache unlike any before, or a headache with fever, neck stiffness, confusion, weakness, vision loss or after a head injury
- Any change in the pattern, frequency or character of long-standing migraines
- Pregnancy, or planning a pregnancy
- Taking warfarin, another anticoagulant, or an antiplatelet medicine
- A known allergy to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds or daisies
Frequently Asked Questions
Is feverfew the same as chamomile? +
No. They are 2 different genera, though both sit in the same daisy family, which is why 1 allergy caution covers them both.
Are chamomile and feverfew the same? +
They are 2 different plants that look alike. Both produce small white flowers with yellow centres, which is where the confusion starts.
Are feverfew and chamomile the same thing? +
No, and the useful part of the answer is that both are Asteraceae, so 1 allergy caution covers them both.
How do I tell them apart? +
There are 3 features: feverfew leaves are broader and lobed, chamomile leaves are feathery, and chamomile smells of apple while feverfew is sharply bitter.
Why avoid chamomile? +
The main reason is the same daisy-family allergy caution. Anyone reacting to ragweed or chrysanthemums should treat both of the 2 with care.
Can I use chamomile for migraines instead? +
A 2020 review of 19 studies found preliminary positive findings for chamomile as an acute treatment, while feverfew's literature is about prevention.
Do they interact with each other? +
There is no established interaction between the 2. The shared concern is allergy rather than chemistry.
Is one safer than the other? +
Both are generally well tolerated. Feverfew has the pregnancy and anticoagulant cautions, which are 2 specific exclusions.
Which has more evidence? +
Feverfew, for migraine prevention: 6 trials in 561 patients, plus a 2025 pooling of 9 trials in 899 people.
Are they in the same family as ragweed? +
Yes, all 3 are Asteraceae. That is exactly why the allergy caution is worth taking seriously.
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