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Feverfew (Pyrethrum Parthenium), the main active ingredient in LipiGesic^™ M, is an herb that has been recognized for centuries as having a beneficial effect on migraine, menstrual and other headaches. The last two decades have seen a sustained and increasing interest in feverfew as a daily prophylactic (preventative) treatment for migraine. Several studies published in leading medical journals, including "Lancet", and "The British Medical Journal", have demonstrated feverfew's potential for reducing the incidence and severity of migraines. Patients reported a reduction in the number and/or severity of migraine attacks, with no side effects reported by either study. Note that feverfew has not been used for the acute relief of migraine attacks. The use of feverfew acutely, for relief of headaches once they have begun, has not been studied and there is no scientific literature to suggest specifically that it is effective. Feverfew is generally (and we believe wrongly) thought incapable of providing acute relief.

Nonetheless, given feverfew’s demonstrated efficacy in reducing migraine frequency (albeit only by about 20%), feverfew is not in widespread use for migraines. The primary reason must be that most people do not know about it and do not have ready access to it in a convenient and effective form. Feverfew has never been effectively marketed or distributed through FDM retail outlets. Another reason may be the poor quality feverfew tablets on the market. Recent British tests of feverfew tablets sold in the U.S. found all of them to have very little if any active ingredient. This study, published in the "Journal of Pharmacology" reported that, "The purported feverfew products varied widely in their parthenolide content and in some products parthenolide was not detectable." Feverfew is neglected by most because the tablet form only works for some, and even for those only reduces, but does not eliminate, migraine headaches. Whatever active ingredient is present in tablets is subject to breakdown by the stomach and liver, diminishing its effectiveness. Even when effective, it can take up to four months before the use of feverfew tablets shows results. Consumers want immediate relief.

The low concentration of active ingredient in many feverfew tablets and its very slow onset of action have led most to conclude that feverfew is not a very effective treatment for migraines. That perception is wrong. Feverfew tablets are not very effective, feverfew itself is extremely effective.

Feverfew acts to inhibit over-aggregation of platelets , thought to be a part of the migraine 'cascade'. In a migraine attack, these platelets release serotonin, which causes abnormal blood vessel tone, and can result in both their dilation and constriction (both of which are believed to contribute to migraine attacks). Inflammatory substances are released locally, which then contribute to the severity of the attack. Feverfew blocks the production of these inflammatory substances and short-circuits the migraine cascade.

The net result is a normalization of blood vessel tone. Feverfew does not constrict blood vessels like most prescription migraine drugs (e.g. triptans such as sumatriptan – “Imitrex”). Blood vessel constriction is associated with an increased risk of heart attack during the use of these vasoconstrictors, and is one reason why Imitrex is not appropriate for a large percent of the population. Vasoconstriction is also associated with the occurrence of rebound headaches (when so much of a non-steroidal is taken that a headache ensues when the patient stops taking them). Ginger has also been shown to be anti-inflammatory, specifically suppressing the expression of several mediators felt crucial in migraine pathogenesis.

LipiGesic^™ M is a homeopathic product containing feverfew and ginger, formulated for acute migraine headache relief. It has been used successfully to treat migraines, hangover symptoms, menstrual headaches and certain other types of headaches. LipiGesic^™ M is more effective when taken early on in the course of a headache, though it can be used at any point, and most users have reported excellent results even when the headache is well underway. By changing the way in which feverfew and ginger are administered, management believes that the effects of feverfew, documented to provide prophylactic relief, have been harnessed to provide acute relief, and that a much higher percentage of individuals will respond to this medication than respond to the prophylactic use of feverfew. Ginger augments the effect.

LipiGesic^™ M is a unique and proprietary feverfew and ginger product available only from PuraMed BioScience, Inc. It is manufactured according to the highest standards to ensure product quality and consistency. Unlike tablets, LipiGesic^™ M utilizes sublingual absorption, further enhanced by the use of a patent-pending formulation designed to both speed absorption and increase the amount of active ingredient absorbed. The result for most users is relief in minutes, not months or even hours. There have been no reported side effects with the use of LipiGesic^™ M, and no reported drug interaction.