Review of aromatherapy essential oils and their mechanism of action against migraines

J Ethnopharmacol. 2021 Jan 30:265:113326. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113326. Epub 2020 Aug 30.

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Migraines have become a major threat to human health, as they significantly affect human health and quality of life due to a high prevalence rate, attack rate and pain intensity. Aromatherapy, with its comfortable and pleasant natural characteristics and rapid and efficient characteristics, is widely favored by patients in the folk. Chinese folk also have the application history and related records of aromatic plants in the treatment of migraine.

Aim of the study: This study was conducted to review the pathogenesis of migraine, the application of plant essential oils in the treatment of migraine, and further explore the material basis and mechanism of action of plant essential oils against migraine.

Materials and methods: Search the electronic literature of essential oils with anti-migraine effect in Google Scholar, PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and further search the research situation of the monomer components of essential oils in migraine, inflammation, pain and other aspects.

Results: studies show that there are 10 types of plant essential oils that could relieve migraine symptoms, and that 16 monomers may play a role in migraine treatment by effectively inhibiting neurogenic inflammation, hyperalgesia and balancing vasorelaxation.

Conclusion: Aromatic plant essential oils can relieve migraine effectively, these findings can be used as an important part of the development of anti-migraine drugs.

Keywords: Anti-migraine; Monomer composition; Plant essential oils; Possible mechanism.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aromatherapy / methods*
  • Humans
  • Migraine Disorders / physiopathology
  • Migraine Disorders / therapy*
  • Oils, Volatile / administration & dosage*
  • Oils, Volatile / pharmacology
  • Plant Oils / administration & dosage
  • Plant Oils / pharmacology
  • Quality of Life

Substances

  • Oils, Volatile
  • Plant Oils