Peppermint Oil for Migraine and Headache Relief

Sat, 09/06/2025 - 14:52

August 6, 2025

Migraine  is  a  neurological  disorder  characterized  by  headache,  photophobia,  phonophobia,  nausea  and  vomiting. Pharmacological treatment of migraine has advanced in the past years but  is  still  considered  unsatisfactory  for  a  significant  number  of  patients.  In this sense, there is increasing evidence that  essential  oils  from  several  plants  may  provide  benefit  for  migraine  patients.  Peppermint essential oil is one of the most used essential oils in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. It is typically obtained through the steam distillation of aerial parts of the flowering plant.  Menthol  is  a  major  component  of  peppermint  essential  oil  and  has  been  used  as  a  non-opioid  pain  reliever  since ancient times. In  addition  to  menthol,  it  has  menthone  as  another  main  component  and  a  mixture  of  volatile  metabolites  that  contribute  to  innumerous  biological  activities,  such  as  antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. In migraine patients, two clinical trials showed that intranasal application of peppermint essential oil (1.5%) or application of a solution containing 10% menthol to the forehead and temporal  area  reduced  the  severity  and  duration  of  the  migraine  crisis  similarly  to  lidocaine, and  also reduced  nausea and/or  vomiting,  and  phonophobia  and/or  photophobia.

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Effect of Lavender on Migraine

Neurological disorders are diseases of the central and peripheral nervous systems. These disorders affect hundreds of millions of people all over the world.  Globally, there are 47.5 million people with dementia. Dementia is the major cause of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in 7.7 million new cases who develop the disease every year. The prevalence of migraine is more than 10% worldwide. Patients with neurological problems may experience depression or anxiety. Herbal medicine has long been used to cure these diseases. One of these plants is lavender, which is composed of various compounds, including terpenes, such as linalool, limonene, triterpenes, linalyl acetate, alcohols, ketones, polyphenols, coumarins, cineole, and flavonoids.

Essential oils are abundant and volatile compounds obtained from plant parts, like leaves, seeds, and flowers through different methods, such as distillation. The flowers of this plant are used in decoration in ceremonies and its oil is also used in the cosmetics and perfume industry. This plant, especially as an essential oil, has various applications in medicine to treat psychological diseases, such as calming the nervous system, particularly in cases with depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Its positive effects on the nervous system are related to the impact of its volatile compounds on the hippocampus and amygdala.

Aromatherapy using its oil, especially in anxiety and sleep disorders, has been found with very promising results. Lavender has been employed using various methods in different studies, including inhalation, massage therapy, combined massage therapy with aromatherapy, and oral administration. It has also been used for the treatment of bloating and for wound healing (as an antibacterial and antifungal agent) and the treatment of insect bites. Lavender has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic effects, as well.

Review of aromatherapy essential oils and their mechanism of action against migraines

May 14, 2022

Migraine is a type of primary neurovascular dysfunction disease, that is characterized by unilateral or bilateral pulsatile pain, and is accompanied by photophobia, phonophobia, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms IHS. Studies have shown that several mental, environmental and genetics can influence or induce a migraine. Patients with migraine experience many social, physical and psychological problems, which seriously affect their quality of life. Currently, the treatment of migraine primarily includes drug therapy, acupuncture therapy, massage therapy and aromatherapy.