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

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#acupuncture-therapy #chamomile #chemoprevention #citrus #combined-modality-therapy

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

Lopresti et al., 2020 | Phytother Res | Systematic Review

Citation

Lopresti Adrian L, Smith Stephen J, Drummond Peter D. Herbal treatments for migraine: A systematic review of randomised-controlled studies. Phytother Res. 2020-Oct;34(10):2493-2517. doi:10.1002/ptr.6701

Abstract

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.

Key Findings

However, further high-quality research is essential to examine their efficacy and safety as a treatment for migraine.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Acupuncture Therapy
  • Chamomile
  • Chemoprevention
  • Citrus
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Coriandrum
  • Humans
  • Menthol
  • Migraine Disorders
  • Music Therapy
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Extracts
  • Plants, Medicinal
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Tanacetum parthenium

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: curcumin

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09