June 9, 2022
Migraine is an episodic severe headache, which is generally associated with nausea or/and sound and light sensitivity. It is one of the frequent complaints encountered by neurologists in daily practice. Since the several treatments that usually have been proposed for the treatment of migraine is still not completely manageable, patients are usually looking for herbal remedies to control migraines.
Anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) which belongs to the Apiaceae family is one of the oldest medicinal herbs and widely used spice plants. Aniseeds have a variety of properties such as antifungal, antiviral, antimicrobial, antioxidant, muscle relaxant, anticonvulsant and analgesic. It also has good effects on diseases like diabetes, hyperlipidemia, dysmenorrhea, hot flash and gastrointestinal diseases. In traditional medicine, Anise has been used as analgesic, appetizer, sedative, expectorant, carminative hepatoprotective, galactagogue, and disinfectant. Moreover in several Persian medicine resources, Anise oil has been used for management of various neurological diseases, including headache and; it is also believed to have neuroprotective effects.
A double blind, double arm, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot clinical study evaluated the effects of anise essential oil against migraine headaches. Men and women that experienced at least two migraine attacks per month applied 2 mL of anise essential oil (7% dilution in a cream base) on the temples and forehead at the onset of migraine. The placebo group applied a cold cream with no essential oil on the same locations of the head at the onset of migraine. The group that applied anise essential oil experienced significant reductions in the frequency and duration of migraine when compared to the placebo group and required fewer analgesic medications.
To approximate the study, add 15 drops of anise essential oil to a 10 mL roller bottle and fill the rest with carrier oil. Apply the oil generously to the temples and forehead at the onset of migraine. Other oils that are beneficial include peppermint, lavender, basil, rosemary, hinoki, copaiba, German chamomile, and fennel.