Lippia Alba for Migraine Prophylaxis and Treatment
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2010-10-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Abstract Background: There is no universally accepted and effective prophylaxis of migraine
headache episodes. Thus the investigators aimed to investigate the effects of Lippia alba
(Mill.) N. E. Brown, an herb with many effects on central nervous system, on pain frequency
and intensity of migraine patients.
Methods: Patients were enrolled in a prospective, phase 2, non-controlled cohort study to
orally receive ethanolic extract of L. alba leaves (1-2 drips/kg/day). Headache intensity and
frequency of episodes were recorded before and after 30-60 days of treatment. The
investigators also studied the chemical composition of its essential oil by gas
chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Results: The investigators described for the first time a particular L. alba chemotype with
geranial and carvenone as major compounds. With treatment, both frequency and intensity of
pain episodes significantly decreased from baseline to first reassessment date. More than 80%
of patients experienced a minimum 50% reduction on pain intensity and frequency. No side
effects were reported.
Conclusions: Treatment with a geranial plus carvenone chemotype of L. alba ethanolic extract
is a cheap, widely available, highly effective therapy to reduce both the intensity and the
frequency of headache episodes of migraine patients with no side effects.
Keywords: headache, migraine, medicinal plant, essential oil, phytotherapy