Herbal treatments for migraine: A systematic review of randomised-controlled studies.

2020-04-20
Phytotherapy research : PTR 34(10)
- Adrian L Lopresti
- Stephen J Smith
- Peter D Drummond

PubMed: 32310327
DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6701

Study Design

Type: Systematic Review
Methods: A systematic literature review of randomised, controlled human trials assessing the effects of herbal treatments as a single ingredient for the acute or prophylactic treatment of migraine. Studies were identified through electronic database searches on Medline, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and CINAHL.

Herbal treatments are often used as a treatment for migraine. Therefore, an evaluation of their safety and efficacy is important. Based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, and Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing the risk of bias, a systematic literature review of randomised, controlled human trials assessing the effects of herbal treatments delivered as a single ingredient for the acute or prophylactic treatment of migraine were conducted. Studies were identified through electronic database searches on Medline (Pubmed), Cochrane Library, Scopus, and CINAHL. Nineteen studies were identified examining the effects on migraine of feverfew, butterbur, curcumin, menthol/peppermint oil, coriander, citron, Damask rose, chamomile, and lavender. Overall, findings on the efficacy of feverfew were mixed and there was positive, albeit limited evidence for butterbur. There were positive, preliminary findings on curcumin, citron, and coriander as a prophylactic treatment for migraine, and the use of menthol and chamomile as an acute treatment. However, the risk of bias was high for many studies. The results of this systematic review suggest that several herbal medicines, via their multifactorial physiological influences, present as potential options to enhance the treatment of migraine. However, further high-quality research is essential to examine their efficacy and safety as a treatment for migraine.

Research Insights

Chamomile→Reduced Migraine Pain Intensity
the use of menthol and chamomile as an acute treatment
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Coriander→Reduced Migraine Attack Frequency
positive, preliminary findings on curcumin, citron, and coriander as a prophylactic treatment for migraine
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Peppermint→Reduced Migraine Pain Intensity
the use of menthol and chamomile as an acute treatment
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Turmeric→Reduced Migraine Attack Frequency
positive, preliminary findings on curcumin, citron, and coriander as a prophylactic treatment for migraine
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
butterbur→Reduced Migraine Attack Frequency
positive, preliminary findings on curcumin, citron, and coriander as a prophylactic treatment for migraine
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
citron→Reduced Migraine Attack Frequency
positive, preliminary findings on curcumin, citron, and coriander as a prophylactic treatment for migraine
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
feverfew→Reduced Migraine Severity
Overall, findings on the efficacy of feverfew were mixed
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small

Adverse Events Reported

citron→Overall tolerability
There were positive, preliminary findings on curcumin, citron, and coriander as a prophylactic treatment for migraine, and the use of menthol and chamomile as an acute treatment.
Finding
Reported
Peppermint→Overall tolerability
There were positive, preliminary findings on curcumin, citron, and coriander as a prophylactic treatment for migraine, and the use of menthol and chamomile as an acute treatment.
Finding
Reported
Chamomile→Overall tolerability
There were positive, preliminary findings on curcumin, citron, and coriander as a prophylactic treatment for migraine, and the use of menthol and chamomile as an acute treatment.
Finding
Reported
Turmeric→Overall tolerability
There were positive, preliminary findings on curcumin, citron, and coriander as a prophylactic treatment for migraine, and the use of menthol and chamomile as an acute treatment.
Finding
Reported
Coriander→Overall tolerability
There were positive, preliminary findings on curcumin, citron, and coriander as a prophylactic treatment for migraine, and the use of menthol and chamomile as an acute treatment.
Finding
Reported
butterbur→Overall tolerability
Overall, findings on the efficacy of feverfew were mixed and there was positive, albeit limited evidence for butterbur.
Finding
Reported
feverfew→Overall tolerability
Overall, findings on the efficacy of feverfew were mixed and there was positive, albeit limited evidence for butterbur.
Finding
Reported