Journal of Anesthesiology and Pain

Introduction: Different type of drugs are used in the pharmacologic prophylaxis of migraine. Each of them has their own efficacy and side effects. In addition to pharmacological drugs, some studies have also suggested the use of the alternate and herbal remedy in migrane.Peppermint have a long history of use in some disorders, including headache. In this study we evaluate the effectiveness of  oral peppermint extract (menthol) in migraine.

Methods and materials: This study is a randomized clinical trial in centers: Sadaf pain clinic, Pars Hospital and Amir almomenin Hospital in Tehran. In this study 40 patients, aged between 18 to 65 years, (2 to 8 attacks per month and being  on prophylactic  treatment), observed for one month then  oral menthol 2%  added for 1 month to their treatment(5 drops after lunch and dinner). Patients were followed for frequency of attacks, headache severity, duration of attacks and associated symptoms of attacks, one month before and one month after consumption of the peppermint extracts.

Results: Peppermint caused a significant decrease in frequency, severity and duration of  attacks  (P-value <0.05). Of symptoms: Photophobia & Phonophobia improved significantly (P-value <0.05), whereas no significant changes was observed in  nausea and vomiting  (P-value >0.05). 

Conclusion: Our study  showed that peppermint extract (menthol) can reduce significantly intensity, duration and frequency of migraine attacks in combination to prophylactic pharmacologic therapy.

Keyword: Effectiveness, peppermint, migraine