Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the extraction of sesquiterpene lactones from the plant Tanacetum parthenium specifically using polar organic solvents and the use of such extracts in pharmaceutical products. It has been found that by utilization of an extraction procedure in accordance with the current invention, a significantly greater amount of the sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide is extracted from Tanacetum parthenium than is the case when using petroleum spirit as the primary extractant, the solvent usually used in previous studies.