Peppermint for Migraines
By AnjaP
@Rollo1 (16679)
Boston, Massachusetts
October 21, 2015 5:53am CST
The internet abounds with pitch men who want to sell you the latest cure for every ill. Many times they claim to have discovered the miraculous properties of some natural substance or plant. I don't discount natural remedies entirely, but I do look for actual studies that prove they work.
And it seems that for some claims, there is evidence. Such as the claim for the efficacy of peppermint oil to relieve headache pain.
For many years, some with migraine pain treated themselves with a preparation containing peppermint oil applied to the back of the neck, the temples and the forehead. Now, there's clinical proof that peppermint can, indeed, reduce the pain of a migraine.
How do you feel about "natural" remedies? Do you use any? Do you look for proof that they work? Or do you think it's all bunkum?
Products made from peppermint can help ease severe headaches, say companies that sell the products. Laura Johannes looks at the research.
16 people like this
15 responses
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
21 Oct 15
I'll try just about any kind of home remedy before forking over a fortune to a doctor for medicine. You have to think too that our ancestors used herbs they found in nature to cure most ailments.
I've known for years that peppermint cured headaches. Bath & Body stores used to sell a small tube of stuff to put on your temples to relieve migraines and it worked like a charm.
2 people like this
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
21 Oct 15
@Rollo1 No I never run to the store and buy a bottle of something that says "This will cure you". But if I hear that peppermint cures acne I'll buy some plain ole peppermint, or maybe some peppermint oil, and have the kids put in on their face. I know it's safe, so no harm done if it doesn't work.
2 people like this
@MarshaMusselman (38652)
• Midland, Michigan
22 Oct 15
@Rollo1 Plus, Anja, not all things sold as natural really are. The percentage needed to claim something isn't as high as we think or would like it to be.
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
21 Oct 15
The article states that it has to be absorbed into the skin, but also mentions the scent. Then it goes on to say that if people believe things that they work better. So, I am not sure that they say why it works, but that it does for a lot of people.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157546)
• United States
21 Oct 15
I believe it does work and that is part of what makes something work, believing in it. In the herbal class basil oil was also suggested. I know lavender soothes and calms for me. I believe that many natural remedies do work, but in order to have a product to sell pharmaceutical companies had to come up with a processed version. For instance, white willow bark is analgesic and anti fever. . . same chemical is in aspirin, just processed and also refined to a standard dose.
2 people like this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
21 Oct 15
A lot of medicines are derived from natural sources. And usually, the medicine made from the natural source is more efficacious than the natural preparation ever could be. They get the heart medication digitalis from the plant foxglove, but you could never treat your heart problem by eating foxglove, it would kill you.
2 people like this
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
21 Oct 15
doesn't work for me. I'd like to note that some things might work for someone, but not the next, it's not an exact science, medicine or natural remedies.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
21 Oct 15
@Rollo1 even within the types, I have had good and bad chiros
@allknowing (130066)
• India
22 Oct 15
I use aloe vera for burns and skin issues. It works. It even works for toothache.
@MarshaMusselman (38652)
• Midland, Michigan
22 Oct 15
I have no problems with using natural remedies just so they are readily available and not too costly. The difficulty is in remembering what each is good for and to have them on hand when needed.
I take, when I remember, a tumeric and cinnamon capsule, which is supposed to be good for joints. I find it does help, again when I remember to take them. Tumeric also has many other good uses which Mindy on the other site shared about years ago. Javaman also talked about it before, I wonder how he's doing and where he's writing right now?
@KristenH (33351)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
27 Jan 16
This is real interesting to know. I wonder if peppermint tea would work.
@jerseyswife (22)
• United States
21 Oct 15
I use badger balm headache soother it has a menthol in it. It relaxes me but doesn't relieve my migraines. I've never tried peppermint. It's worth trying I have chronic daily migraines from an aneurysm I had brain surgery on in 2009 I get botox it helps with the severity but still doesn't totally relieve them
1 person likes this
