Herbal Medicine for Migraine

Herbal Medicine for Migraine

By: Brooklyn A. Bradley, BS; Medically edited by Dr. Deena Kuruvilla, MD

Introduction:

This week we will be discussing the use of herbal medicine for migraine! Herbal medicine is another category of complementary and integrative medicine (CIM). The goal of CIM is to reduce the frequency, severity, and duration of migraine attacks. In particular, we will focus on the use of menthol, lavender, and ginger.

Menthol:

Menthol is a compound typically characterized as having a minty odor, and it is found in peppermint and other natural oils. It is often used to treat problems in the upper respiratory tract, as it is a common ingredient in nasal sprays, cough drops, and inhalers. In addition, it may be used to relieve itching, and can be found in some creams and lotions (1). Both peppermint and menthol are often calming scents and can be used to ease areas of pain. In terms of migraine, menthol can be used to soothe the nervous system, which may be working overtime during a migraine attack (2).

There are many studies that show how menthol can help relieve migraine. In a 2010 study looking at the effects of a 10% menthol solution applied to the skin as an abortive treatment, patients were asked to apply the menthol to the forehead and temple (3). Abortive treatment of migraine means that the goal is to stop the migraine as soon as it starts. By the end of the study, the patients using the menthol solution were able to achieve pain relief and improve their nausea and vomiting (3). In another trial trying to determine whether menthol 6% gel applied to the skin will relieve a migraine attack, patients were instructed to apply the gel within 2 hours of the headache starting (4). Following the use of the menthol gel, 52% of patients reported an improvement in their pain. In addition, 28% of patients reported no pain following the menthol gel (4). Both of these studies show that the use of menthol can result in an improvement in intensity of pain and migraine symptoms.

Menthol solution has the potential to be a cost-effective, safe, and tolerable therapeutic option for migraine patients. Some potential side effects of using menthol on the skin may include skin irritation and headache due to the scent. There are various products on the market that contain menthol, but it is important to discuss these options with your provider if you are interested in adding menthol to your migraine regimen.

Lavender:

Lavender, a compound native to the Mediterranean region, is a popular fragrance ingredient in soaps and cosmetics. It is often used in aromatherapy practices and application to the skin for various purposes such as relaxation, anxiety, depression, and other conditions (5). The use of lavender essential oil for migraine or tension headache is becoming increasingly popular. The goal of this essential oil is to calm and relax you, which may help your discomfort indirectly (6).

In a trial studying the use of lavender essential oil as a preventive therapy for migraine, the frequency and severity of migraine attacks were reduced in the patients using lavender therapy (7). There were no side effects reported during the treatment (7). Another trial aimed to study the use of lavender essential oil inhalation for the treatment of migraine (8). In this trial, patients inhaled the lavender essential oil for 15 minutes and then were asked to record the severity of their headache and any symptoms that they may have had. There was a decrease in headache severity in the patients that used the lavender essential oil (8). Overall, both studies illustrate that lavender essential oil may be a safe option for the as needed treatmentof migraine. However, more studies should be conducted to establish a stronger base of research.

The use of lavender short-term is well-tolerated and safe. Side effects of the topical use (application to skin) of lavender include skin irritation. There are many different ways to use lavender, such as inhalation or applying the oil to your skin. It is important to discuss with your provider the use of lavender for your specific case.

Ginger:

Ginger is an herb native to parts of Asia, and has been used for medicinal purposes for more than 2,500 years (9). Ginger is available in many forms, including fresh, dried, pickled, preserved, and candied (10). The medicinal herb has a variety of powerful therapeutic and preventive effects. Ginger also is known for having antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antinausea properties (10). Ginger has been shown to help with nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy (9). In terms of migraine, ginger is known for reducing the pain and nausea associated with migraine (11). Ginger has not been compared to mainstream medical treatments established for migraine, so the current recommendation is to use it in addition to conventional medicine. 

Previous studies have shown the use of ginger in other health conditions. In a trial studying the effects of ginger added to standard treatment of migraine, participants received 400 mg of ginger extract (5% active ingredient) in addition to an intravenous medication (injection into vein) to treat the migraine attack (12). In the patients treated with ginger in addition to standard treatment of migraine, they showed a better clinical response after the 1, 1.5, and 2 hour mark in comparison to patients who did not receive the ginger treatment. In addition, the patients in the ginger treatment group experienced pain reduction and improvement in functional status (12). In another trial aiming to identify the use of ginger as a preventive treatment of migraine, patients received 200 mg 3 times daily of dry extract of ginger for 3 months (13). In the patients treated with ginger, they reported a decrease in the number of days with severe pain. However, there was not a major difference between the ginger treatment group and the group of patients who did not use ginger (13).

The addition of ginger to standard treatment of migraine (such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) may help in the treatment of a migraine attack. Ginger can have side effects such as abdominal discomfort, heartburn, indigestion, diarrhea, and mouth and throat irritation, so it is important to discuss the use of ginger with your provider to determine whether use is the best option for you.

Conclusion:

Overall, menthol, lavender, and ginger are becoming increasingly popular CIM approaches for migraine. It is vital to discuss with your headache specialist about any complementary health approaches that you are interested in. 

 

References:

1. (2011) Menthol. In: Cancer.gov. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/menthol. Accessed 21 Aug 2022
2. Irome T (2016) Using Menthol To Help Migraine. In: Migraine.com. https://migraine.com/living-migraine/using-menthol-to-help. Accessed 21 Aug 2022
3. Borhani Haghighi A, Motazedian S, Rezaii R, et al (2010) Cutaneous application of menthol 10% solution as an abortive treatment of migraine without aura: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossed-over study. Int J Clin Pract 64:451–456. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1742-1241.2009.02215.x
4. St. Cyr A, Chen A, Bradley KC, et al (2015) Efficacy and Tolerability of STOPAIN for a Migraine Attack. Frontiers in Neurology 6:
5. Lavender. In: NCCIH. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/lavender. Accessed 21 Aug 2022
6. Soothing Your Headache or Migraine With Lavender or Peppermint Oil. In: Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/lavender-and-peppermint-essential-oils-for-headaches-and-migraines-4691276. Accessed 21 Aug 2022
7. Rafie S, Namjoyan F, Golfakhrabadi F, et al (2016) Effect of lavender essential oil as a prophylactic therapy for migraine: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Journal of Herbal Medicine 6:18–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hermed.2016.01.003
8. Sasannejad P, Saeedi M, Shoeibi A, et al (2012) Lavender essential oil in the treatment of migraine headache: a placebo-controlled clinical trial. Eur Neurol 67:288–291. https://doi.org/10.1159/000335249
9. Ginger. In: NCCIH. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/ginger. Accessed 21 Aug 2022
10. Bode AM, Dong Z (2011) The Amazing and Mighty Ginger. In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S (eds) Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects, 2nd edn. CRC Press/Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton (FL)
11. Andrade C (2021) Ginger for Migraine. J Clin Psychiatry 82:21f14325. https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.21f14325
12. Martins LB, Rodrigues AM dos S, Rodrigues DF, et al (2019) Double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial of ginger ( Zingiber officinale Rosc. ) addition in migraine acute treatment. Cephalalgia 39:68–76. https://doi.org/10.1177/0333102418776016
13. Martins LB, Rodrigues AM dos S, Monteze NM, et al (2020) Double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial of ginger ( Zingiber officinale Rosc. ) in the prophylactic treatment of migraine. Cephalalgia 40:88–95. https://doi.org/10.1177/0333102419869319